Wisconsin’s housing landscape offers a little bit of everything, from thriving metro areas like Milwaukee and Madison to quieter rural towns and lake-country communities. No matter where you’re searching, understanding what financial support is available can be just as critical as choosing the right neighborhood.
For many buyers, especially first-time homeowners, down payment assistance (DPA) programs can make the path to ownership far more attainable. Across the state, agencies, counties, and local organizations offer grants, forgivable loans, and low-interest second mortgages to help reduce upfront costs. With the median home price in the state currently around $340,000, according to Zillow (2026), these programs can play a pivotal role in bridging the affordability gap.
This guide highlights some of the most active and accessible DPA programs in Wisconsin. While not exhaustive, it focuses on options with consistent funding and meaningful benefits. We’ll continue updating it as programs change throughout the year.
Statewide Down Payment Assistance Programs
Wisconsin offers several statewide programs accessible to eligible buyers throughout the state. Here are some of the top options:
WHEDA Easy Close Advantage
The Easy Close Advantage program from WHEDA offers a 10-year fixed-rate second mortgage that can cover up to 6% of a home’s purchase price for down payment and closing costs. It must be used in conjunction with a WHEDA first mortgage.
Eligibility: Buyers must use a WHEDA Advantage Conventional or FHA first mortgage, meet income and purchase price limits, and purchase an owner-occupied primary residence, but do not need to be first-time buyers.
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Downpayment Plus (DPP®)
The DPP® program provides a forgivable grant of up to $10,000 to qualifying homebuyers through participating lenders. The grant is forgiven over five years of occupancy, provided the program's rules are met throughout that time.
Eligibility: Buyers must contribute at least $1,000 of their own funds, complete homebuyer education, and earn no more than 80% of the area median income.
Housing Cost Reduction Initiative (HCRI)
HCRI is a state-funded program that channels money through local organizations to help low- to moderate-income buyers with forgivable or deferred loans, often up to $10,000.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time buyers, and purchase an owner-occupied home, with most programs requiring a 5-year occupancy for forgiveness. There are AMI and purchase price caps.
Movin’ Out Down Payment Assistance (Disability Program)
This Movin’ Out Program supports buyers with permanent disabilities (or their families) through 0%-interest deferred loans.
Eligibility: Borrowers must be first-time buyers, earn 80% or less of AMI, and either have a disability or be buying on behalf of a disabled household member.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by County
Several counties across Wisconsin offer their own DPA programs, often with unique benefits and localized income guidelines. These stand out:
HOME Consortium Down Payment Loan
The HOME Consortium Down Payment Loan serves Waukesha, Jefferson, Ozaukee, and Washington Counties. It offers forgivable loans up to $10,000 that are forgiven after 5 years of owner occupancy.
Eligibility: Buyers must earn 80% or less of AMI, purchase a home under HUD limits, and complete homebuyer education. Total household DTI ratio must not exceed 50%.
WORTH Down Payment Assistance
WORTH offers up to $8,000 in grant funding for first-time homebuyers in Milwaukee County, with tiered eligibility by income.
Eligibility: Buyers must earn up to 100% of AMI, purchase in Milwaukee County, complete 8 hours of HUD-approved homebuyer counseling, and be first-time buyers.
Northeastern Wisconsin CDBG Home Loan Program
The Northeastern Wisconsin CDBG Home Loan Program serves ten counties in Northeastern Wisconsin, including Brown, Calumet, Door, Fond du Lac, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, Marinette, Outagamie, Sheboygan, and Winnebago, by offering 0%-interest deferred loans to eligible homebuyers for down payment and closing costs.
Eligibility: Buyers must earn 80% or less of AMI, be first-time buyers purchasing in eligible counties outside major cities like Green Bay or Appleton, complete homebuyer education, and plan to occupy the home as their primary residence.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by City
Many of Wisconsin’s larger cities have tailored DPA programs to support local buyers. These options provide especially generous support:
City of Madison – Home-Buy the American Dream (HBAD)
The City of Madison Program offers deferred-payment loans up to $35,000 with a shared-appreciation clause for first-time buyers.
Eligibility: Buyers must earn 80% or less of AMI, contribute 1% of the purchase price, have liquid assets below a set threshold, and live in the home as a primary residence.
Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance
The Milwaukee Home Program provides grants up to $5,000–$7,000 depending on property location, with full forgiveness after 5 years, provided the program's rules are met throughout that time.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time buyers currently living in Milwaukee, earn no more than $88,550 for a family of four (2025), complete 8 hours of counseling, and contribute $1,000 of their own money.
City of La Crosse First-Time Homebuyer Assistance
The City of La Crosse offers a grant of up to $25,000, with graduated forgiveness depending on income and grant size, provided the program's rules are met throughout that time.
Eligibility: Buyers may earn up to 120% of AMI, contribute 1% of the purchase price or $1,000, and commit to 5–10 years of occupancy depending on grant size.
Additional Down Payment Assistance Programs in Wisconsin
Here are other programs not already highlighted above but still worth exploring.
Statewide Programs
Chenoa Fund (Nationwide program available in Wisconsin)
County Programs
City Programs
Understanding Area Median Income (AMI)
Across the different programs on this list, it's easy to notice a reoccurring theme: many types of down payment assistance require applicants earn no more than a fixed percentage of their area median income (AMI). These AMI limits are in place to ensure that program funds are used to help homebuyers most in need, and typically run between 80% and 120% of area median income.
Example: You're purchasing a home in a locale with an area median income of $120,000 and the program you're applying for had an income limit of 80% AMI. In this scenario, you could earn as much as $96,000 and still qualify for assistance.
You can search for AMI by property address using Fannie Mae's AMI Lookup Tool.
Utilizing Down Payment Assistance
Wisconsin offers a wide range of down payment assistance options. From statewide programs to county- and city-level initiatives, both first-time and returning buyers can find support for managing upfront costs. Use our loan calculators to gauge your affordability, and keep an eye on current mortgage rates so you can make informed decisions. With the right resources, achieving homeownership in Wisconsin can feel well within reach.
