Up to $25,000 toward buying your first home in Detroit.
The City of Detroit helps first-time buyers cover the down payment and closing costs. It is the biggest assistance program in the area, and most people who qualify have no idea it exists.
Detroit is the largest program in the region, and the residency requirement is the gate most people miss. Worth checking before you fall in love with a house.
Who qualifies
You need to check every box below.
- Lived in the City of Detroit for the past 12 months. Proof of residency is required.
- No home ownership in the past 3 years. No interest in any other real estate at time of purchase.
- Household income at or below the program limit. See the table below.
- Complete a homebuyer education course. We will point you to an approved one.
- Buy in the City of Detroit. Primary residence only.
- Applications are prioritized for 2023 flood impact. A FEMA or DWSD claim is needed to document it.
2026 income limits
Total household income, counting every adult in the home.
| Household size | Income limit |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $58,700 |
| 2 people | $67,100 |
| 3 people | $75,500 |
| 4 people | $83,850 |
| 5 people | $90,600 |
| 6 people | $97,300 |
| 7 people | $104,000 |
| 8 people | $110,700 |
What happens next
Most buyers are three to nine months out. That is normal.
- Fill out the form below
Two minutes. No income figures, no credit pull, nothing that affects your report.
- We'll talk it through
I will tell you straight whether you look eligible and what is standing in the way if you are not.
- Education class and pre-approval
Both are required before an application goes in. We line them up together.
- Find the house, apply for the assistance
The application goes in after you have an accepted purchase agreement.