Down Payment Assistance Programs in Oregon
Oregon offers a diverse housing landscape from bustling urban hubs like Portland and Eugene to scenic, fast-growing areas such as Bend and Medford. With limited inventory in many markets, achieving homeownership can feel out of reach for first-time and moderate-income buyers.
Fortunately, Oregon offers a range of down payment assistance (DPA) programs across the state that can help bridge that gap. These programs are available at the state, regional and city levels. They provide grants, forgivable loans and deferred-payment options that reduce the amount you need upfront to purchase a home.
This guide highlights some of the most active and reputable DPA programs currently available in Oregon. While it isn’t a comprehensive list of every local initiative, it focuses on verified and well-established programs. We’ll continue to update this page as programs evolve.
AMI and Down Payment Assistance
As you read through this list of down payment assistance programs in Oregon, you’ll notice many of the entries mention eligibility requirements related to area median income (AMI).
For programs that do have AMI requirements, this means that you’ll need to earn no more than the specified percentage of the area median income in the location you plan to purchase in order to qualify.
For example, if the area you’re looking to buy has a median income of $125,000, and the program you’re hoping to apply to have an AMI limit of 80%, you can earn as much as $100,000 and still be eligible for assistance.
You can search for AMI by property address using Fannie Mae’s AMI Lookup Tool.
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Statewide Down Payment Assistance Programs
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) leads the state’s homeownership initiatives, offering flexible assistance programs administered through local partners. Here are the top statewide options:
Oregon Housing and Community Services Down Payment Assistance Program
The OHCS Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $60,000 or 20% of the home purchase price (whichever is less) to first-time and first-generation homebuyers across Oregon. The assistance can be used for both down payment and closing costs and, in some instances, is structured as a grant or forgivable second lien.
Eligibility: Available to first-time or first-generation homebuyers earning 100% or less of AMI who complete a homebuyer education course and meet with a certified housing counselor through an OHCS-approved partner.
OHCS Veteran Down Payment Assistance
The OHCS Veteran Program specifically supports Oregon veterans and their families. Eligible veterans can receive up to $60,000 toward down payment and closing costs, with up to 10% of that funding allowed for lender-required repairs.
Eligibility: For first-time and/or first-generation veteran homebuyers with household income at or below 100% of AMI, plus completion of an approved homebuyer education course and certified housing counseling.
ReOregon Down Payment Assistance (Wildfire Recovery DPA)
The ReOregon Program was created to help households affected by the 2020 Oregon wildfires. It offers up to $150,000 in forgivable down payment and closing cost assistance. The loan is forgiven incrementally over 30 years.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers who lived in one of the eight eligible counties at the time of the 2020 wildfires, with income at or below 120% of AMI. The property must be in one of eight eligible counties, including Clackamas, Douglas, and Jackson.
Oregon Individual Development Account (IDA) Initiative
The Oregon IDA Initiative is a statewide matched savings program that helps lower-income Oregonians save for homeownership. Participants usually receive a 5:1 match on their savings, although match amounts and savings limits vary by provider, to use toward a down payment.
Eligibility: Income limits vary by partner. Applicants must meet Oregon IDA income and net-worth limits and complete their provider’s required savings, financial education and coaching.
Thistle & Nest Veterans Down Payment Assistance
The Thistle & Nest Program serves Oregon veterans buying through Thistle & Nest’s community land trust. The program provides a five-year forgivable loan of up to $30,000 for first-time buyers, or $60,000 for first-generation buyers.
Eligibility: Veteran homebuyers or families of deceased veterans with household income below 80% of AMI who are purchasing through a Thistle & Nest community in Oregon and can secure a mortgage through a qualified lender.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by County
Oregon’s county-level DPA programs often partner with local nonprofits and community organizations. Here are the top options:
NeighborImpact First-Time Homebuyer Loan (Central Oregon)
The NeighborImpact Program serves Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson Counties. It offers a repayable second loan up to 20% of the purchase price for first-time homebuyers.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers with household income at or below 120% of AMI, who complete 8 hours of homebuyer education and contribute at least 1% of the purchase price from personal or gifted funds.
Community Connection of Northeast Oregon Down Payment Assistance
The Community Connection Down Payment Assistance Program serves Baker, Grant, Union, and Wallowa Counties. It offers up to $20,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance through an interest-free loan with no monthly payments. The loan is repaid with shared appreciation when the home is sold or the first mortgage is refinanced.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers with household income at or below the applicable county AMI who complete Community Connection’s homebuyer education workshop, work with a participating lender and have a minimum credit score of 620.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by City
Several Oregon cities operate dedicated down payment assistance programs or partner with nonprofit organizations to provide assistance.
Portland Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL)
The Portland Housing Bureau DPAL offers a 0% interest loan of $80,000–$100,000 for first-time buyers purchasing within city limits. Payments are deferred during the 30-year term, and forgiveness begins after 15 years and continues through year 30. The remaining principal becomes due earlier if the home is sold, the first mortgage is refinanced, or the property is no longer the borrower’s primary residence. Depending on the funding source, part of the award may be set aside for post-purchase home improvements.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers subject to an income limit of 80% or 100% of AMI, depending on the funding source, contributing at least $500 of their own funds, and working with a HUD-approved counseling partner. Some areas require meeting the city’s North/Northeast Preference Policy.
Gresham WELCOME HOME Program
The Gresham WELCOME HOME Program provides up to $40,000 toward a down payment and reasonable closing costs for qualified first-time homebuyers. The assistance is a 0% interest deferred-payment loan that is forgiven at the end of 15 years if the home remains the buyer’s primary residence.
Eligibility: Low-income first-time homebuyers purchasing in Gresham who complete an authorized homebuyer education program, qualify for a first mortgage and contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds.
Springfield Downpayment Assistance Program
The Springfield Downpayment Assistance Program provides no-interest loans of up to $25,000 to help first-time homebuyers cover a portion of the down payment and closing costs. The loan is repaid when the home is sold or the first mortgage is refinanced.
Eligibility: First-time homebuyers earning 80% or less of AMI who purchase within Springfield, are pre-approved for a mortgage, provide 50% of the required down payment and complete DevNW homebuyer education and counseling.
Additional Down Payment Assistance Programs in Oregon
Here are additional verified programs that were not highlighted above but still are worth exploring.
Statewide Programs
- Chenoa Fund (Nationwide program available in Oregon)
County Programs
- NeighborWorks Umpqua Down Payment Assistance Program (Douglas, Coos, Curry, and Josephine Counties)
- Community in Action Veterans Down Payment Assistance (Harney and Malheur Counties)
City Programs
Not All Oregon DPA Programs Are the Same
Down payment assistance comes in all shapes and sizes. Before deciding on the programs you’re going to apply for, it’s important to understand the different types of DPA available:
- Grants: Commonly the most sought-after type of DPA, grants are essentially free money that generally does not need to be repaid. Most DPA grant programs have limited funds available per funding round and may be for lower amounts than other types of assistance programs.
- “Silent Second” Loans: With “silent second” loans, you do not have to repay the funds until a specific event occurs, generally when you refinance, sell the home, or move out and begin to use it as a rental. These silent seconds have no monthly payments, and often accrue no interest.
- Forgivable Loans: Another type of down payment assistance with no monthly payment, forgivable loans function much like silent seconds, except that some or all of the balance is forgiven after you live in the home for a set amount of time such as 5, 10, or 15 years. Frequently, a portion of the loan is forgiven annually.
- Loans With Payments: Sometimes, down payment assistance loans will require regular monthly payments, just like your standard mortgage. However, these types of loans frequently come with below-market rates.
Using Oregon DPA to Buy a Home
Oregon’s real estate market can be competitive, but there are a variety of programs designed to make buying a home more attainable. From statewide resources to local initiatives, eligible first-time and first-generation buyers can access valuable support that helps reduce upfront costs and make ownership more affordable. Explore our loan calculators to estimate monthly payments, and stay informed on current mortgage rates and program updates. With the right combination of planning and assistance, owning a home in Oregon can be closer than you think.
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.
