Georgia isn’t just a state, it’s a blend of rich history, thriving cities, and welcoming small towns. From the buzz of Atlanta’s skyline to the charm of Savannah’s historic squares, and the quiet appeal of mountain and coastal communities, Georgia offers something for every kind of homebuyer.
To help make those homeownership dreams a reality, Georgia provides a variety of down payment assistance (DPA) programs. These programs come in many forms such as grants, forgivable loans, or low-interest second mortgages and they are all designed to ease the upfront costs of buying a home.
This guide highlights the programs that are most widely available, easiest to access, or most generous in terms of assistance. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it’s a strong starting point for anyone looking to purchase a home in Georgia. We’ll continue to update this page as new opportunities emerge and existing programs evolve.
Meeting AMI Requirements
As you scroll through the list of down payment assistance available in Georgia, you'll notice that many of the programs have restrictions related to applicants income.
This is sometimes expressed as a percentage of the area median income (AMI) where the home is located.
For example, if the area median income is $100,000, and the program requires applicants to earn no more than 80% AMI, you could have an income of up to $80,000 and qualify for down payment assistance.
You can use the Fannie Mae AMI lookup tool to find the current figures for your area.
>>>DISCOVER: 10 Most Affordable Housing Markets in Georgia
Statewide Down Payment Assistance Programs
Georgia operates several major statewide programs, making them accessible no matter where you live in the state.
Georgia Dream Homeownership Program
The Georgia Dream Program provides down payment help through deferred-payment loans that can be layered with FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional mortgages. Standard assistance is 5% of the purchase price, up to $10,000, while PEN and Choice provide 6%, up to $12,500.
Eligibility: First-time buyers or qualifying buyers in designated areas with household income under $137,555 (1–2 persons) or $158,188 (3+ persons) in the Atlanta area, purchase price up to $625,000, and liquid assets under $20,000 or 20% of the home price after closing.
Georgia Dream “Peach Plus”
Available to qualifying FHA or VA borrowers who do not meet traditional Georgia Dream requirements, the Georgia Dream “Peach Plus” Program provides deferred down payment loans equal to 3.5% of the purchase price, up to $10,000, or 4% up to $12,500 through PEN and Choice.
Eligibility: Available to FHA or VA borrowers with income up to $206,333 (1–2 persons) or $237,282 (3+ persons) in the Atlanta area and home prices up to $725,000.
Georgia Dream “Peach Advantage”
The Georgia Dream “Peach Advantage” Program offers 0%-interest, non-forgivable second mortgages covering 2%–5% of the first-lien amount, depending on the mortgage rate option chosen. The assistance has no monthly payments, with repayment deferred until the home is sold, refinanced, or no longer the borrower’s primary residence. It is open to both first-time and repeat buyers using conventional loans.
Eligibility: Qualifying borrower income up to 150% of AMI, no first-time requirement, and homes must be owner-occupied primary residences.
FHLBank Atlanta Homebuyer Grants
The FHLBank Atlanta Homebuyer Grants offer up to $17,500 through the First-Time Homebuyer Product, up to $20,000 through the Community Partners Product for eligible public service, military, and other qualifying borrowers, and up to $15,000 through Workforce Housing Plus+. Assistance can be used toward down payment and closing costs through participating FHLBank Atlanta member financial institutions.
Eligibility: Requirements vary by product. The First-Time Homebuyer and Community Partners products generally serve households at or below 80% AMI, while Workforce Housing Plus+ serves qualifying households from 80.01% to 120% AMI.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by County
Several Georgia counties have built their own targeted programs, often more generous or forgiving than the state options.
Fulton County Home Ownership Program (HOP)
Fulton’s HOP provides up to $25,000 based on need as a 0%-interest deferred second mortgage with no monthly payments for first-time buyers in Fulton County (outside Atlanta city limits). Twenty percent of the assistance is forgiven each year over a five-year affordability period.
Eligibility: First-time buyers with household incomes up to $94,250 for 4-person households and purchase prices up to $347,000 (resale) or $371,000 (new construction).
Gwinnett County “HOMEStretch”
Gwinnett County’s HOMEStretch Program provides up to $10,000 as a 0%-interest deferred loan, forgiven at 20% per year over five years.
Eligibility: First-time buyers with at least one credit score of 580 or higher, household income at or below 80% AMI, purchase price up to $371,000 (resale) or $425,000 (new construction), and Debt to Income (DTI ratios ) at or below 43%/55%.
Cobb County “My Home” Program
Cobb County’s “My Home” Program combines a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with up to 2% of the loan amount as a non-repayable down payment grant. County employees with 12+ months of service can receive an extra $10,000 grant.
Eligibility: Open to all buyers (no first-time requirement) with income up to $159,880 for FHA/VA loans. Income and loan limits vary by mortgage type.
Clayton County Down Payment Assistance
Clayton County’s DPA offers up to $7,500 for most first-time buyers and up to $10,000 for qualifying veterans and spouses, county employees, law enforcement and first responders, healthcare workers, and educators. Assistance is forgivable after five years of qualifying ownership and occupancy.
Eligibility: Household income at or below 80% AMI, minimum $1,000 buyer contribution, purchase price cap of $270,000, and completion of an 8-hour HUD homebuyer education course.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by City
City-level programs often layer federal funds with local incentives, and some target specific neighborhoods.
Invest Atlanta – ATL HomeNow
ATL HomeNow provides up to $20,000 in down payment help across Atlanta.
Eligibility: Household income under $141,360 for a 4-person household, minimum 620 credit score, max $35,000 in liquid assets, and maximum loan amount of $325,000. The borrower must also make a $1,500 contribution into the transaction from their own funds.
Invest Atlanta – Vine City Renaissance Initiative (VCRI)
Atlanta VCRI provides $20,000 in forgivable aid for home purchases in the Vine City neighborhood, forgiven after 5 years of occupancy.
Eligibility: Household income up to $164,920 for a family of 4 (140% AMI), with no maximum purchase price.
Atlanta Housing DPA
The Atlanta Housing DPA Program provides up to $20,000 for first-time buyers and $25,000 for educators, healthcare workers, veterans, and public safety professionals.
Eligibility: First-time buyers with incomes at or below 80% AMI, purchase price under $375,000, at least $1,500 buyer contribution, and liquid assets under $35,000.
Savannah DreamMaker
Savannah’s Dreammaker Program offers up to $50,000 in deferred loans at 2% interest for housing developed in partnership with the City, or up to $30,000 for other qualifying housing.
Eligibility: First-time buyers within city limits and income under program thresholds.
Atlanta Beltline Mortgage Assistance Program
The Atlanta Beltline Mortgage Assistance Program provides up to $30,000 for qualifying civil servants and legacy residents and up to $20,000 for other qualified buyers. Assistance is provided as a 0% soft second mortgage with a 15-year affordability period and can be used toward down payment, closing costs, or a permanent interest-rate reduction.
Eligibility: Buyers must purchase in eligible Beltline TAD subareas, have a minimum 620 credit score, no more than $35,000 in liquid assets, and use an eligible 30-year fixed FHA, VA, or conventional mortgage. Household income can be up to 140% AMI, or 120% AMI for land-trust transactions.
More Down Payment Assistance Programs in Georgia
Below are other active programs that weren’t highlighted above but may still be worth exploring.
Statewide Programs
- Chenoa Fund (Nationwide program available in Georgia)
City Programs
Types of Low Down Payment Home Loans
Home loans come in all shapes and sizes, with different loan programs requiring different down payments. Here are some of the most common low down payment mortgages that you'll encounter:
- Conventional Loans: First-time and lower-income homebuyers can qualify for a conventional loan with just a 3% down payment. However, rates and mortgage insurance costs tend to be higher for borrowers with lower credit scores.
- FHA Loans: Designed for homebuyers who are unable to qualify for an affordable conventional mortgage, FHA loans require a credit score of just 580 with a 3.5% down payment.
- VA Loans: Veterans, active duty service members, and some surviving spouses can apply for a zero down payment VA home loan .
- USDA Loan: Buyers looking in qualifying rural areas often seek out a USDA loan thanks to the affordable rates and no down payment requirement.
Final Thoughts
Homeownership in Georgia is more than just buying a house. It’s a chance to put down roots in a state full of history, culture, and community. To make the process more accessible, Georgia offers a variety of down payment assistance programs at both the state and local level, designed to support first-time buyers. As you prepare, keep an eye on current mortgage rates and use our loan calculators to see what fits your budget.
With the right mix of planning and assistance, you’ll be ready to take your next step toward homeownership in Georgia.
Check with the organization directly for the most recent guidelines. While programs were fact-checked at the time of writing, requirements change often, and programs become unavailable when funds are exhausted.
