Texas Region
Central Texas Down Payment Assistance: 2026 Programs by County
Central Texas runs from the Austin metro and the Hill Country through Bell, McLennan, and Travis counties down toward the Coastal Bend. State down payment assistance through TSAHC and TDHCA may help eligible buyers across the region, often with no first-time-buyer requirement.
Counties in Central Texas
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Bandera County Down Payment Assistance 2026: TSAHC + TDHCA + MCC
If you're buying in Bandera County, in the Hill Country northwest of San Antonio, you may qualify for more down payment help than you expect. Eligible buyers can tap Texas assistance through TSAHC or TDHCA plus the federal MCC tax credit, and the income limits reach comfortably into six figures.
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Bastrop County Down Payment Assistance 2026: TSAHC + TDHCA + MCC
Bastrop County buyers, right in the path of Austin's growth, may have real help waiting on the down payment. If your income fits the limit, TSAHC and TDHCA can put thousands toward your down payment and closing costs, and an MCC tax credit keeps paying you back every year you own the home.
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Bell County
In Bell County — home to Fort Cavazos and the Killeen-Temple area — you don't have to buy with cash alone. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the MCC tax credit, and veterans and service members may add a VA loan with zero down.
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Bexar County
Across Bexar County and San Antonio, the hardest part of buying is usually the cash up front, not the monthly payment. Eligible buyers may shrink it with TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit; within city limits, San Antonio's HIP program is worth knowing about too. The income limits surprise a lot of people.
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Brazos County
In Brazos County — Bryan, College Station, and Texas A&M country — plenty of first-time buyers assume they'll keep renting. You may not have to. If your income fits the limit, TSAHC and TDHCA can cover much of your down payment and closing costs, with an MCC tax credit on top.
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Cameron County
Cameron County, in the Rio Grande Valley, is one of the most affordable places to buy in Texas, and assistance stretches your dollars even further. Eligible Brownsville-area buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help plus the MCC tax credit, often reaching closing with very little out of pocket.
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Comal County
Between San Antonio and Austin, Comal County and New Braunfels are growing fast, and the up-front cash is what stops most would-be buyers. If your income fits the limit, TSAHC or TDHCA may put real money toward your down payment and closing costs, with an MCC tax credit you keep claiming year after year.
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Guadalupe County
Guadalupe County — Seguin, Schertz, Cibolo — sits on San Antonio's growing northeast edge, popular with families and military buyers alike. If your income fits the limit, TSAHC or TDHCA may put thousands toward your down payment and closing costs, with an MCC tax credit on top.
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Hays County
Hays County — San Marcos, Kyle, Buda — is one of the fastest-growing corners of the Austin area, and prices show it. The good news: TSAHC and TDHCA may cover much of your down payment and closing costs, and an MCC tax credit keeps paying you back every year you own.
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Hidalgo County
Hidalgo County, in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, is among the most affordable places to buy in Texas, and assistance stretches your budget further still. Eligible McAllen- and Edinburg-area buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help plus the MCC tax credit, often closing with very little out of pocket.
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Kendall County
Kendall County and Boerne sit in the Hill Country just north of San Antonio, and the assistance income limits here are among the highest in the state. You may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit at an income well into six figures, so it's worth checking before you rule it out.
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McLennan County
Anchored by Waco, McLennan County blends affordability with steady Central Texas growth. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, with income limits higher than many first-time buyers expect.
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Nueces County
Nueces County and Corpus Christi pair Gulf-coast living with some of the more attainable prices on the Texas coast. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit, often reaching closing with little cash out of pocket.
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Travis County
Travis County is Austin, where rising prices make the down payment the hardest part of buying. Eligible buyers may close that gap with TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, and within Austin city limits the City's own program is worth knowing about. The income limits here are among the highest in the state.
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Webb County
Webb County and Laredo sit on the border with some of the most affordable homes in Texas, and assistance stretches your budget even further. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help plus the MCC tax credit, often reaching closing with very little out of pocket.
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Williamson County
Williamson County — Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Leander — is one of the most in-demand parts of the Austin area, and assistance can help you keep up. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the federal MCC tax credit, and the income limits run among the highest in the state.
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Cities in Central Texas
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Bee Cave
Bee Cave sits on Austin's Hill Country edge, where prices run high but the assistance income limits in Travis County are among the state's most generous. You may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit even on a strong household income, so it's worth checking before you assume you can't.
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Boerne
Boerne, the Kendall County seat in the Hill Country northwest of San Antonio, carries some of the highest assistance income limits in Texas. You may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit at an income well into six figures, and Boerne ISD staff may also use Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Brownsville
Brownsville, the Cameron County seat at the southern tip of Texas and home to SpaceX's Starbase, offers some of the most affordable homes in the state. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the MCC tax credit, and Brownsville ISD staff may add the Homes for Texas Heroes program.
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Bryan
Bryan, the Brazos County seat just north of College Station, pairs small-city affordability with Texas A&M-area job growth. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit, and Bryan ISD teachers and staff may also use Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Cedar Park
Cedar Park, in south Williamson County on Austin's fast-growing north side, is a family favorite, and assistance can soften the up-front cost. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit, with some of the most generous income limits in the state, and Leander ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Cibolo
Cibolo, northeast of San Antonio in Guadalupe County, is a popular landing spot for JBSA-Randolph families. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, veterans and service members may add a VA loan with zero down, and SCUC ISD staff may use Homes for Texas Heroes.
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College Station
College Station, the largest city in Brazos County and home to Texas A&M, draws plenty of first-time buyers who assume they can't buy yet. You may be able to. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit, and College Station ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Converse
Converse, in northeast Bexar County near JBSA-Randolph, is an affordable, military-friendly San Antonio suburb. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, veterans may add a VA loan with zero down, and Judson ISD staff may use Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi, the Nueces County seat on the Gulf Coast and home to Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, blends beach-town living with attainable prices. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the MCC tax credit, veterans may add a VA loan with zero down, and Corpus Christi ISD staff may use Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Edinburg
Edinburg, the Hidalgo County seat and a UTRGV hub in the Rio Grande Valley, is among the most affordable places to buy in Texas. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit, often closing with little cash down, and Edinburg CISD staff may use Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Georgetown
Georgetown, the Williamson County seat anchoring the north end of the Austin metro, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit, with some of the most generous income limits in the state, and Georgetown ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Harlingen
Harlingen, in the heart of the Rio Grande Valley, offers some of the most affordable homes in Texas. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit, often reaching closing with very little out of pocket, and Harlingen CISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Helotes
Helotes sits on San Antonio's Hill Country edge in northwest Bexar County, near JBSA-Lackland and Camp Bullis. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, veterans and service members may add a VA loan with zero down, and Northside ISD staff may use Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Killeen
Killeen, the largest city in Bell County and the gateway to Fort Cavazos, is built for first-time and military buyers. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, veterans and service members may add a VA loan with zero down, and Killeen ISD staff may use Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Lakeway
Lakeway, on the shores of Lake Travis west of Austin, is a sought-after spot where prices run high and the Travis County income limits run generous. You may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit even on a strong income, and Lake Travis ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Laredo
Laredo, the Webb County seat and the nation's busiest land port, offers some of the most affordable homes on the border. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit, often closing with little cash down, and United ISD and Laredo ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Live Oak
Live Oak, in northeast Bexar County near JBSA-Randolph, is an affordable, military-friendly San Antonio suburb. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, veterans may add a VA loan with zero down, and Judson ISD staff may use Homes for Texas Heroes.
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McAllen
McAllen, the largest city in Hidalgo County and a Rio Grande Valley commerce hub, is among the most affordable places to buy in Texas. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit, often reaching closing with very little out of pocket, and McAllen ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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New Braunfels
New Braunfels, the Comal County seat midway between San Antonio and Austin, blends Hill Country charm with fast growth along the I-35 corridor. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, and Comal ISD and New Braunfels ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Round Rock
Round Rock, the largest city in Williamson County and home to Dell's headquarters, anchors the booming north Austin metro. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, with some of the most generous income limits in the state, and Round Rock ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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San Marcos
San Marcos, the Hays County seat and home to Texas State University, sits midway between San Antonio and Austin. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment help and the MCC tax credit, and San Marcos CISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Schertz
Schertz, northeast of San Antonio near JBSA-Randolph, is an affordable, military-friendly suburb spanning Bexar, Guadalupe, and Comal counties. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, veterans may add a VA loan with zero down, and SCUC ISD staff may use Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Seguin
Seguin, the Guadalupe County seat east of San Antonio on I-10, offers small-town affordability within reach of the metro. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, and Seguin ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Temple
Temple, a Central Texas medical hub in Bell County just north of Killeen, pairs steady jobs with attainable prices. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, and Temple ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Universal City
Universal City sits right next to JBSA-Randolph in northeast Bexar County, a natural home base for Air Force families. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, veterans and service members may add a VA loan with zero down, and school staff may use Homes for Texas Heroes.
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Waco
Waco, the McLennan County seat and home to Baylor University and Magnolia Market, blends Central Texas affordability with fresh momentum. Eligible buyers may qualify for TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, and Waco ISD staff may add Homes for Texas Heroes.
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School Districts in Central Texas
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Alamo Heights ISD
If you teach or work for Alamo Heights ISD in San Antonio, the Homes for Texas Heroes program was built for you. Eligible educators and staff may qualify for TSAHC down payment assistance, often around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement, plus the option to add an MCC tax credit.
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Brownsville ISD
Brownsville ISD teachers and staff serving the Rio Grande Valley may qualify for real help buying a home. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible school employees may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, typically around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement, plus an MCC tax credit.
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Bryan ISD
If you work for Bryan ISD in the Brazos Valley, Homes for Texas Heroes may put a home within closer reach. Eligible educators and staff may qualify for TSAHC down payment assistance, often about 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit option.
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College Station ISD
College Station ISD teachers and staff in Aggieland may have more help available than they expect. Eligible educators may qualify for Homes for Texas Heroes down payment assistance through TSAHC, typically around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit on top.
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Corpus Christi ISD
Corpus Christi ISD teachers and staff on the Gulf Coast may qualify for real down payment help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible school employees may receive TSAHC assistance, typically around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an optional MCC tax credit.
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Edinburg CISD
Edinburg CISD educators in the Rio Grande Valley may qualify for more home-buying help than they realize. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, roughly 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement, plus an MCC tax credit.
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Georgetown ISD
Georgetown ISD educators in the booming north Austin metro may qualify for meaningful down payment help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC assistance, roughly 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement, plus an MCC tax credit.
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Harlingen CISD
Harlingen CISD teachers and staff in the Rio Grande Valley may qualify for real home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible employees may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, typically around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit.
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Judson ISD
Judson ISD educators in northeast Bexar County, near JBSA-Randolph, may qualify for strong home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, about 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement; veterans may also add a VA loan with zero down.
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Killeen ISD
Killeen ISD serves a heavily military community near Fort Cavazos, and its educators may qualify for real home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit.
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Leander ISD
Leander ISD educators around Cedar Park and Leander in the north Austin metro may qualify for meaningful down payment help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC assistance, roughly 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement, plus an MCC tax credit.
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McAllen ISD
McAllen ISD teachers and staff in the Rio Grande Valley may qualify for real home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible employees may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, typically around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit.
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North East ISD (NEISD)
North East ISD educators in north San Antonio may qualify for strong home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, about 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement; veterans may also add a VA loan with zero down.
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Northside ISD (NISD)
Northside ISD, the largest district in San Antonio, employs tens of thousands of educators who may qualify for home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit.
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Round Rock ISD
Round Rock ISD educators in the booming north Austin metro may qualify for real home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit.
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San Antonio ISD (SAISD)
San Antonio ISD educators serving the city's urban core may qualify for real home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit.
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San Marcos CISD
San Marcos CISD teachers and staff, midway between San Antonio and Austin, may qualify for meaningful down payment help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible employees may receive TSAHC assistance, roughly 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement, plus an MCC tax credit.
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SCUCISD
SCUC ISD educators around Schertz, Cibolo, and Universal City, near JBSA-Randolph, may qualify for strong home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, about 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement; veterans may also add a VA loan with zero down.
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Temple ISD
Temple ISD teachers and staff in Central Texas may have more home-buying help than they realize. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible employees may qualify for TSAHC down payment assistance, typically around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit.
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United ISD
United ISD, the largest district in Webb County, serves Laredo educators who may qualify for real down payment help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible staff may receive TSAHC assistance, around 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement and an MCC tax credit.
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Waco ISD
Waco ISD teachers and staff in Central Texas may qualify for meaningful home-buying help. Through Homes for Texas Heroes, eligible employees may receive TSAHC down payment assistance, roughly 5% of the loan amount, with no first-time-buyer requirement, plus an MCC tax credit.
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Military Bases in Central Texas
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Fort Cavazos
Around Fort Cavazos in the Killeen-Temple area, a home of your own may cost less than you'd think. Eligible service members, veterans, and military spouses may qualify for a VA loan with zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance, and may pair it with TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit.
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Fort Sam Houston (JBSA)
For service members and families at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, buying may beat renting sooner than expected. Eligible buyers may qualify for a VA loan with zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance, plus TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, and veterans also qualify for the Homes for Texas Heroes program.
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JBSA-Lackland
If you're stationed at JBSA-Lackland in southwest San Antonio, you may have a clear path to homeownership. Eligible service members, veterans, and military spouses may qualify for a VA loan with zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance, plus TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit.
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JBSA-Randolph
Near JBSA-Randolph in northeast San Antonio, buying a home may be more attainable than another lease. Eligible service members, veterans, and military spouses may qualify for a VA loan with zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance, and may add TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit. Popular commuter areas include Universal City, Schertz, and Cibolo.
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NAS Corpus Christi
Assigned to NAS Corpus Christi? Gulf-coast homeownership may be closer than you think. Eligible service members, veterans, and military spouses may qualify for a VA loan with zero down and no monthly mortgage insurance, plus TSAHC or TDHCA down payment assistance and the federal MCC tax credit, in one of the more affordable coastal markets in Texas.
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Central Texas runs from the Austin metro south through San Antonio and the Hill Country, and east to College Station–Bryan. The region includes Travis, Bexar, Williamson, Hays, Bell, Brazos, McLennan, and several South Texas / Rio Grande Valley counties.
What Buyers Should Know
Central Texas runs from the Austin metro south through San Antonio and the Hill Country, and east to College Station–Bryan. The region includes Travis, Bexar, Williamson, Hays, Bell, Brazos, McLennan, and several South Texas / Rio Grande Valley counties. Buyers in this region may qualify for TSAHC Home Sweet Texas Home (grant or forgivable second lien up to 5% of the loan amount), TSAHC Homes for Texas Heroes (for teachers, police, firefighters, EMS, corrections officers, veterans, and other public-service occupations), TDHCA My First Texas Home and My Choice Texas Home, plus the MCC tax credit for first-time buyers with eligible income. Each program has its own income limits, FICO floor (most start at 620), and purchase price caps that vary by county. Eligible buyers may pair one DPA program with the MCC for additional first-time-buyer benefit.
Central Texas market context
Central Texas is anchored by two of the largest Texas MSAs — Austin-Round Rock and San Antonio-New Braunfels — plus Killeen-Temple (Fort Cavazos military community), Waco (Baylor University), and College Station-Bryan (Texas A&M). HUD Area Median Income varies widely across the region: Austin sits at $134,500 for a four-person household, San Antonio at $89,400, and Killeen-Temple at $77,000. FHA loan limits range from the Austin high-cost tier of $614,600 down to the statewide floor of $524,225 for smaller markets.
Counties Covered
This region includes 16 Texas counties with active ShopDPA coverage. Select a county to view its 2026 AMI tables, FHA loan limits, property tax rates, and the cities, school districts, and military bases within it:
- Bandera County
- Bastrop County
- Bell County
- Bexar County
- Brazos County
- Cameron County
- Comal County
- Guadalupe County
- Hays County
- Hidalgo County
- Kendall County
- McLennan County
- Nueces County
- Travis County
- Webb County
- Williamson County
See If You May Qualify
The fastest way to find out which Texas down payment assistance programs you may qualify for is the quick eligibility check on our homepage. The check runs in under a minute and walks through TSAHC, TDHCA, and MCC eligibility based on your income, credit, and first-time-buyer status.
Last verified: 2026-05-19. Program details and dollar amounts are current as of the date stamped above; always verify directly with the program administrator (TSAHC, TDHCA, HUD) before making a home-purchase decision.
Find Your Texas Down Payment Assistance.
We will show you which Texas state programs (TSAHC, TDHCA, and the federal MCC tax credit) fit your situation, then introduce you to a Texas-licensed mortgage professional in our partner network who closes these programs every month.