Down Payment Assistance Programs Available to Montgomery County, TX Buyers
A look at the down payment assistance programs available to Montgomery County and Woodlands-area homebuyers, including TSAHC grants and forgivable loans.
Saving for a down payment is usually the biggest hurdle for first-time buyers in the Spring and Woodlands area — and it's also the part most buyers don't realize they have help with. Here's a rundown of the assistance options worth exploring before you assume you need 20% down.
Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation (TSAHC)
TSAHC runs two main programs available to eligible Texas buyers, including those in Montgomery County:
- Homes for Texas Heroes — for teachers, police officers, firefighters, EMS personnel, veterans, and corrections officers.
- Home Sweet Texas — open to other eligible homebuyers, first-time or repeat.
Both let you choose between a grant (no repayment) or a deferred, forgivable second-lien loan (forgiven unless you sell or refinance within three years). Minimum credit score is 620, and income limits vary by program and county — TSAHC's eligibility quiz will tell you exactly where you stand.
Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC)
First-time buyers may also qualify for an MCC, which is a federal tax credit tied to the mortgage interest you pay each year — a smaller-known but real ongoing benefit, separate from a one-time down payment grant.
Other ways to bring less cash to closing
- Seller-paid closing costs, negotiated as part of your offer
- Gift funds from family, with proper documentation
- Employer homebuyer assistance programs, if your company offers one
The honest caveat
Program terms, income limits, and funding availability change, and not every property or buyer qualifies for every program. The fastest way to know what you actually qualify for is a quick conversation — I'll walk you through which of these (if any) fit your situation before you start house hunting.
Get started with a quick pre-approval conversation →
Game On Mortgage, LLC — NMLS #2468752 / #1808045. Equal Housing Opportunity. Down payment assistance program details are current as of 2026 and subject to change by the administering agency; not a commitment to lend.