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 the lesser of a home’s purchase price or appraised value for down payment and closing costs. Assistance starts at $1,000. The loan has the same interest rate as the WHEDA first mortgage and requires monthly payments.
Eligibility: Borrowers must use a WHEDA Advantage Conventional or FHA first mortgage and meet WHEDA income, credit, and property requirements. The home must be a primary residence. Repeat buyers may qualify, while first-time buyers must complete homebuyer education.
Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Downpayment Plus (DPP®)
Downpayment Plus from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago provides up to $10,000 toward down payment and closing costs through participating member institutions. Assistance is limited to the lesser of $10,000 or 25% of the first mortgage and is forgiven on a pro-rata basis over five years as long as the buyer continues to own and occupy the home.
Eligibility: Household income must not exceed 80% of area median income. Buyers must contribute at least $1,000, complete homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling, and obtain financing through a participating FHLBank Chicago member. A prorated balance may be due after a sale or refinance during the five-year term.
Movin’ Out Down Payment Assistance (Disability Program)
Movin’ Out’s Wisconsin homeownership programs include the statewide Homebuyer and Homeowner Rehabilitation (HHR) program and the Housing Cost Reduction Initiative (HCRI). Both provide 0% deferred-payment loans for down payment and closing costs, with no monthly payments. The balance is due after a sale, loss of primary-residence status, or cash-out refinance. HCRI assistance cannot be paired with an FHA first mortgage.
Eligibility: Household income may not exceed 80% of the county median. Applicants must be first-time buyers or qualify as a single parent or displaced homemaker, and the household must include a person with a permanent disability. Homebuyer education, a buyer contribution, property review requirements, and affordability underwriting also apply.
WHEDA Capital Access DPA
WHEDA Capital Access DPA provides $7,500 through a 0% deferred second mortgage with a term matching the WHEDA first mortgage. There are no monthly payments, but the balance becomes due when the WHEDA first mortgage is paid off or refinanced, subject to WHEDA’s subordination rules.
Eligibility: Borrowers must pair the assistance with an eligible WHEDA Advantage first mortgage, meet the program’s separate income limits, and occupy the property as a primary residence.
Regional and County Down Payment Assistance Programs
Several regions and 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 Assistance Program provides up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs in Jefferson, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties. The loan is forgiven at 20% per completed year of owner occupancy over five years.
Eligibility: Household income may not exceed 80% of area median income. Buyers must complete counseling, purchase an eligible property within the consortium, and satisfy HOME property standards. The unforgiven balance may be due after a sale, title transfer, or loss of owner occupancy. Refinancing may be permitted if the assistance remains secured against the property.
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. Eligible properties include single-family homes, duplexes, and condominiums.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time homebuyers, meaning they have not owned a home during the past three years, and must complete counseling through a Milwaukee-area HUD-certified agency. Funding is divided between household income pools of up to 60% and up to 100% of area median income.
Northeastern Wisconsin CDBG Home Loan Program
The Northeastern Wisconsin CDBG Housing Program provides down payment and closing-cost assistance through a 0% deferred loan. CDBG assistance must be matched with other non-CDBG grant or loan funds.
Eligibility: Household income may not exceed 80% of area median income. Buyers must contribute at least $1,000, complete homebuyer education, receive mortgage preapproval, and purchase a property that passes Housing Quality Standards. The program serves 10 northeastern Wisconsin counties outside participating entitlement communities.
Southern Housing Region Homebuyer Assistance
The Southern Housing Region Program can provide up to half of a reasonable down payment amount, no more than 10% of the purchase price, with up to $2,500 for eligible closing costs. Assistance is structured as a 0% deferred loan, with repayment due when the buyer sells the home or no longer lives there.
Eligibility: The program serves eligible areas of Columbia, Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Ozaukee, Racine, Rock, Sauk, Walworth, and Washington counties, with exclusions that include the cities of Racine, Beloit, Janesville, and Kenosha. Household income and property requirements apply.
Appleton Housing Authority Homebuyer Program
The Appleton Housing Authority Homebuyer Program offers a need-based package that may include down payment, closing-cost, and rehabilitation assistance. The financing is generally a 0% deferred loan, and 50% of the down payment assistance is provided as a five-year grant.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time buyers purchasing in Outagamie or Calumet County and generally have income between 50% and 80% of county median income. A minimum 580 credit score, homebuyer classes, counseling, owner occupancy, and other underwriting requirements apply. Applicants may not own rental property.
West Central Wisconsin Regional Housing Program
The West Central Wisconsin Regional Housing Program matches a buyer’s eligible contribution and can provide assistance up to 10% of the purchase price. The financing is a 0% deferred loan that is never forgiven and must be repaid when the borrower no longer owns and occupies the home.
Eligibility: The program serves 10 west-central Wisconsin counties. Applicants must meet income limits, contribute at least $1,000, complete homebuyer education, obtain first-mortgage financing, purchase a property that passes inspection, and use the home as a primary residence.
Northwest Regional Housing Program
The Northwest Regional Housing Program can provide up to 50% of the required down payment, with total assistance limited to 10% of the purchase price. The aid is structured as a 0% deferred loan, with payments deferred while the borrower owns and occupies the property, maintains homeowners insurance, and keeps property taxes current.
Eligibility: Income-eligible renters purchasing a home may qualify in Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas, Iron, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, Taylor, and Washburn counties. Program underwriting and property requirements apply.
SWCAP Homebuyer Assistance
Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program’s Homebuyer Assistance provides up to 20% of the purchase price through a 0% deferred second mortgage for eligible buyers in Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, and Richland counties.
Eligibility: Applicants must meet program income and property-value limits and complete counseling and property inspection requirements. Assistance is designed for entry-level buyers, including first-time buyers and some current homeowners experiencing a qualifying life change.
Partners for Community Development Homebuyer Program
Partners for Community Development’s Homebuyer Program provides down payment assistance through a 0% deferred loan with no monthly payments. Repayment is due after a sale or when the property is no longer the borrower’s primary residence.
Eligibility: The program serves Door, Kewaunee, Manitowoc, and Sheboygan counties. Household income must be below 80% of area median income. Buyers must contribute at least $1,000, obtain an approved first mortgage, complete education and counseling, and purchase an eligible single-family home that meets property-value standards.
CAP Services Homebuyer Assistance
CAP Services Homebuyer Assistance offers help with down payment, closing costs, and eligible repairs through a 0% deferred loan due after a sale, title transfer, or loss of owner occupancy.
Eligibility: The program serves Marquette, Portage, Outagamie, Waupaca, and Waushara counties. Buyers must meet income limits, contribute at least $1,000, use eligible conventional financing, complete at least six hours of education, and occupy a home that meets federal standards. Mobile homes, farms, duplexes, and properties used for business are ineligible.
Central Wisconsin Community Action Council Down Payment Assistance Loans
Central Wisconsin Community Action Council’s Down Payment Assistance Loan is offered in increments from $1,000 to $10,000. The loan has a 2.5% fixed rate, requires monthly payments, and uses a term of one year for every $1,000 borrowed.
Eligibility: Applicants must purchase in Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Juneau, or Sauk County; meet the 80% area median income limit; have at least a 640 credit score; and contribute at least $1,000 of non-gift funds. Eligible buyers must be first-time homeowners or have had no ownership interest for 10 years. Conventional fixed-rate financing is required; FHA, VA, USDA, manufactured homes, condominiums, duplexes, new construction, and stacked assistance are excluded.
Renewal Unlimited Down Payment Assistance
Renewal Unlimited’s Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $18,000 through a 0% deferred second mortgage for eligible buyers in Adams, Columbia, Dodge, Juneau, and Sauk counties.
Eligibility: Household income may not exceed 80% of area median income, and applicants generally may not have owned a home during the previous three years. Buyers must contribute between $250 and $1,000, complete counseling, use eligible fixed-rate financing, purchase a property that passes inspection, and meet program debt-to-income requirements.
Home Start Down Payment Assistance
The Realtors Association of South Central Wisconsin Home Start Program provides the lesser of $6,000 or 3% of the purchase price through a 0% deferred loan. Repayment is due after a sale, refinance, title transfer, loss of owner occupancy, or full payoff of the first mortgage.
Eligibility: The program serves Dane, Sauk, Columbia, Dodge, Jefferson, Rock, Green, Iowa, Grant, Lafayette, Richland, Crawford, and Green Lake counties. Household income may not exceed 80% of area median income. Buyers must contribute at least 1%, which may be gifted, and meet program debt-to-income and combined loan-to-value limits. Repeat buyers may qualify.
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)
Madison’s Home-Buy the American Dream program offers between $1,000 and $35,000 through a 0% deferred loan. At repayment, the city receives the greater of the original principal or the principal plus a proportional share of appreciation. Repayment triggers include sale, transfer, loss of owner occupancy, or certain refinances.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time buyers purchasing a single-family home, condominium, or half-duplex in Madison. Household income may not exceed 80% of area median income. Buyers must contribute at least 1%, meet a 105% combined loan-to-value cap, and satisfy program underwriting requirements.
Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance
The Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance Program provides $5,000 citywide or $7,000 for eligible homes in Community Development Block Grant areas. The award is structured as a forgivable grant subject to a five-year owner-occupancy requirement.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time buyers currently living in Milwaukee, meaning they have not owned a home during the past three years. Buyers must meet income limits, contribute at least $1,000, complete eight hours of counseling, and purchase a home that passes inspection and costs no more than $290,000. The program does not allow cash back at closing.
City of Kenosha HOME Program
The City of Kenosha HOME Program offers a gap-financing second mortgage of up to the lesser of the documented gap or 17% of the purchase price, along with separate down payment and closing-cost grants. The second mortgage is deferred at 0% for 10 years, followed by a 20-year repayment term at 3%. Grant assistance is forgiven at 20% per year over five years.
Eligibility: Applicants must purchase in the City of Kenosha and have household income at or below 80% of area median income. Buyers generally need a fixed-rate first mortgage covering about 80% of the purchase price, a total down payment of at least 3%, and a personal contribution equal to 25% of the required down payment or $1,000, whichever applies. Homebuyer counseling is required.
Home Possible Janesville
Home Possible Janesville provides up to $15,000 in homebuyer assistance. The award is forgiven after five years of continued owner occupancy.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time buyers purchasing in the City of Janesville and have household income at or below 80% of the county median. Homebuyer counseling and a workshop are required.
NeighborWorks Green Bay Purchase Assistance
NeighborWorks Green Bay Purchase Assistance includes several options, such as up to $7,000 through NLF assistance, up to $7,500 through HCRI assistance, and up to $15,000 through HOME assistance. These programs generally use 0% deferred loans with no monthly payments, with repayment due after a sale, change in ownership, loss of owner occupancy, or certain refinances.
Eligibility: Service area and income limits vary by funding source. Applicants may need homebuyer education, counseling, eligible first-mortgage financing, and a property inspection.
Sold on Oshkosh
The City of Oshkosh Sold on Oshkosh Program provides $7,500 for a home in a recognized neighborhood association or $5,000 elsewhere in the city. Assistance is a five-year, 0% mortgage forgiven annually at $1,500 or $1,000, depending on the award. Any remaining balance is due after an early sale.
Eligibility: The home must be an owner-occupied single-family property or duplex in Oshkosh. Buyers must contribute at least 1%, keep housing costs at or below 30% of gross income, and complete homebuyer education if they are first-time buyers.
HomeReach DeForest
HomeReach DeForest offers a $10,000 homebuyer grant. The full award must be repaid if the property is rented or transferred during the first three years. A separate Local Public Service Downpayment Assistance Program provides qualifying households with up to $20,000 or 50% of the required down payment, whichever is less.
Eligibility: Applicants must be future owner-occupants purchasing in the Village of DeForest and have household income at or below 80% of Dane County area median income. Property-value and financing requirements apply, along with a $50 application fee. The public-service option requires a full-time household member to work for an eligible local public-service organization and includes an additional one-year employment condition.
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)
Regional and 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.
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.
