HAP Houston Assistance Program

HAP Homebuyer Assistance Program

The City of Houston (City) Housing and Community Development Department (HCDD) has designed the Homebuyer Assistance Program (HAP) to provide financial assistance to low-to-moderate income homebuyers in the incorporated area of the City.

• HCDD staff will administer the HAP according to the policy and procedures set forth in the administrative guidelines. (add link to Administrative Guidelines)
• Funding for HAP will be available through the HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program, the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, the American Dream Down Payment Initiative (ADDI) and Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone (TIRZ).
• HAP will provide direct financial assistance to offset portions of the down payment, closing costs, pre-paid items and principal required for home purchase.

Eligibility Requirements

Please read the information below to help you determine if you are a qualified applicant for the program:

• The applicant must demonstrate the ability to obtain a mortgage loan (financial, credit worthiness, etc.)
• The family’s combined income must be at or below 80% of the area median income
• The applicant must complete at least eight (8) hours of homebuyer education from any participating HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agency (updated 4.20.2010).
• The sales price for the property cannot exceed the Single Family Mortgage Limits under Section 203(b) of the National Housing Act ($200,160).
• The property must be located in the taxing jurisdiction of the City of Houston
• The applicant must purchase a new or existing home. The following structures are approved for
  • HAP:
    • Single-family property (detached and attached 1-4 units)
    • Condominium unit/Townhouse
    • Modular home/Manufactured home
    • Cooperative unit
• HCDD Inspection Services Section is required to conduct an independent physical inspection on the property. Despite HCDD’s inspector completing a physical inspection of the property, it is highly encouraged that the potential homebuyer gets his/her own TREC inspection
• The applicant must invest at least $500 into the home buying transaction (i.e. earnest money, appraisal, etc.)
• The applicant must live in the home for 10 years for assistance to be forgiven

Applicant(s) combined annual household income must be at or below the amounts listed in the Household Income Limits to qualify for HAP funds. The amount of the assistance is $19,500 for all families whose income is at 80% or below the area median income.