The Austin Housing Newsletter

Homebuyer Education

Homebuyer education classes inform first-time buyers on the following topics:

  • Money management
  • Understanding credit
  • How to secure a mortgage loan
  • How to shop for a home

Upon completing the program, you will receive an official Certificate of Completion.

Non-profit Homebuyer Education partners:

These organizations provide a homebuyer education course (with a HUD-approved curriculum), online classes, and homeownership counseling. The cost of the homebuyer education course is $99. Additionally, you must purchase the course handbook Neighbor Works America: Realizing the American Dream.

Down Payment Loan Assistance

Income-eligible first-time homebuyers may qualify for down payment assistance. You will have to complete homebuyer education classes to learn more about the home buying process before you're eligible for assistance.

What does the Down Payment Assistance Program cover?

The program covers down payment and closing costs, including pre-paid expenses associated with home buying. Homebuyers may qualify for up to $40,000 in assistance. Note: Sales price of the home cannot exceed $579,025.

 

Who is eligible?

You may qualify for Austin's Down Payment Assistance Program if you:

  • Are a first-time homebuyer
  • Have not owned a home in the last three years
  • Have been displaced or divorced 
  • Buying a single-family home or condominium in Austin's Full Purpose city limits. Check the City of Austin Jurisdictions Web Map
  • Make a low-income, as defined as at or below 80% Median Family Income (MFI) (see table below)
1 person/persona 2 people/personas 3 people/personas 4 people/personas 5 people/personas

Maximum income/ Ingresos màximos

$68,500

Maximum income/ Ingresos màximos

$78,250

Maximum income/ Ingresos màximos

$88,050

Maximum income/ Ingresos màximos

$97,800

Maximum income/ Ingresos màximos

$105,650
What is needed to apply?

You will first need to confirm that the property you seek to purchase is within Austin City Limits. Check this map (web) to verify the property's location. 

Potential homebuyers will need to complete a Home Buyer Education Course (details above) and obtain an official Certificate of Completion. 

Additionally, you must be approved for a mortgage loan from one of our participating lenders--see table below.

DPA Participating Lender List FY '23-'24
Mortgage Company Loan Officer/NMLS# Phone Email
CMG Home Loans, Inc. Michel Harrell #276766 512-657-8284 mharrell@cmgfi.com
American Bank Tiffany Oliva 361-653-5297 toliva@americanbank.com
First Community Mortgage Roman Vonhapsburg 512-565-9654 roman.vonhapsburg@fcmhomeloans.com
Guardian Mortgage  Kristin Fox 512-522-4122 TeamFox@gmc-inc.com
Guild Mortgage Dianne Acuna - #219210 512-699-3056 dacuna@guildmortgage.net
Guild Mortgage Livia Busby #2055619 512-583-1032 lbusby@guildmortgage.net
Guild Mortgage Marshall Sanders III #1070036 512-589-3877 msanders@guildmortgage.net
Newrez, LLC Christine Doolittle #508398 707-303-2902 chris.doolittle@newrez.com
Republic Mortgage Thomas Sawyer 512-804-8165 tsawyer@rsmc.net

 

 Your loan officer will help you fill out and submit the Down Payment Assistance Application (PDF). 

Applicants will need to provide the following documentation items:

  • Identification:
    • Social Security card
    • Picture identification: Texas Driver's License, Texas Permanent ID card, or passport
    • Permanent Residency Card (if applicable)
  • Verification of income: 
    • Last 2 consecutive months paycheck stubs from all household members above 18 years old
    • Most recent 2 years of W-2 forms or 1099's
    • If self-employed, last quarter's Profit & Loss Statement and 2 years of tax returns
    • Verification of other income
  • Most recent 6 months of checking account statements and 6 months of savings for the accounts of all household members
  • Verification of assets

Once you have made sure that you have all documentation items necessary to apply, your registered trained loan officers can assist in submitting your Down Payment Assistance Application (PDF).

Down Payment Assistance Loan Officer Training

To register as an Housing certified participating lender (PDF), loan officers must attend a Housing training. The Future Down Payment Assistance Lender training can be provided upon request to groups of five or more interested parties. For more information call 512-974-3100 or email Housing@austintexas.gov.

Affordable Housing Partners

The City of Austin partners with developers to finance and permit the construction of affordable housing. Click on each accordion for contact information for each affordable housing partner.

Austin Habitat for Humanity

Austin Habitat for Humanity (Web)

Address: 500 W Ben White Blvd, Austin, TX, 78704

Phone: 512-472-8788

E-mail: info@austinhabitat.org

Community Wheelhouse

Community Wheelhouse Affordable Program (Web)

Phone: 512-900-3683

E-mail: info@cwhaustin.com

Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation

Guadalupe Neighborhood Development Corporation (Web)

Address: 813 East 8th Street Austin, TX, 78702

Phone: 512-479-6275

E-mail: gndc@guadalupendc.org

Homebase

Homebase (Web)

Address: 500 W Ben White Blvd, Suite 100, Austin, TX 78704

Phone: 512-865-6091

E-mail: homebase@homebasetexas.org

Contact Form (Web)

Mueller Affordable Homes Program

Mueller Affordable Homes Program (Web)

Phone: 512-703-9202

Contact Form (Web)