Down payment assistance

Down payment assistance in Illinois

1 program can help buyers in Illinois with a down payment and closing costs. Most are for first-time buyers with moderate incomes and are used with a participating lender.

Check which programs fit your situationDown payment assistance finder

IHDA Access Mortgage down payment assistance

Open · Forgivable, deferred or repayable loan

Forgivable: 4% up to $6,000 · Deferred: 5% up to $7,500 · Repayable: 10% up to $10,000

Three choices with an IHDA 30-year fixed first mortgage: Access Forgivable is forgiven monthly over 10 years; Access Deferred is 0% and due when you sell, refinance or pay off the mortgage; Access Repayable is 0% and repaid monthly over 10 years.

Who qualifies: First-time and repeat buyers statewide; IHDA income and price limits; you contribute $1,000 or 1% of the price, whichever is greater.

Illinois Housing Development Authority · Agency website → · Checked 2026-09-30

How assistance usually works

Most programs are a second loan with no monthly payment that is forgiven over time or repaid when you sell or refinance, and some are grants. You usually need a program first mortgage from a participating lender, a homebuyer education course and income under the program’s limit. Apply before you make offers, so your pre-approval reflects the help.

More for Illinois

Illinois closing costs Illinois property taxes Where can I afford to buy in Illinois?Down payment timeline

Programs change often; confirm the details with the agency.