ATLANTA — The number of homeownership assistance programs available across the United States reached a record high during the second quarter, with grants and other affordability initiatives continuing to expand as housing costs remain elevated, according to a new report from Down Payment Resource.
The company’s Q2 2026 Homeownership Program Index identified 2,746 homeownership assistance programs nationwide as of July 1, an increase of 67 programs from the first quarter and the highest total since the survey began.
According to Down Payment Resource, 2,114 programs, or 77%, are currently active and funded, providing immediate opportunities for prospective homebuyers.
The report said assistance programs, including down payment assistance (DPA), help improve affordability by reducing borrowers’ loan-to-value ratios and covering upfront expenses such as down payments, closing costs and mortgage rate buydowns.
One Notable Finding
One of the report’s most notable findings was continued growth in grant programs, which do not require repayment. Grant programs increased 6% during the quarter to 234, accounting for 9% of all homeownership assistance programs.
“Quarter after quarter, the universe of available programs keeps expanding, and so does the flexibility they offer,” Rob Chrane, founder and CEO of Down Payment Resource, said in a statement. “The surge in grant programs is a good example. These aren’t resources for a narrow slice of buyers. They’re mainstream financial strategies that lenders and real estate professionals should be putting in front of every qualified borrower.”
The report also found many programs serve a broader range of borrowers than commonly assumed.
Other Findings
Among the findings:
- The total number of programs increased to 2,746 from 2,679 in the first quarter.
- Sixty-two percent of programs have income limits above $100,000.
- A total of 291 programs, or 11%, have no income restrictions, up 2% from the previous quarter.
- First-time homebuyers are eligible for 1,696 programs, or 62% of the total, a 2% increase from Q1.
- Programs serving first-generation homebuyers rose 6% to 35.
The report also found broad support for different housing types.
According to Down Payment Resource:
- Eighty percent of programs support new construction.
- Ninety-three percent support purchases of existing homes.
- Eighty percent support both new and existing homes.
Increased Support for Manufactured Housing
Programs supporting manufactured housing increased 3% during the quarter to 1,089, representing 40% of all programs. Meanwhile, programs covering multi-unit properties containing two to four units rose 3% to 962, reflecting growing interest among buyers seeking rental income opportunities.
Second mortgages remained the most common form of assistance, accounting for 56% of all programs. Many of those programs feature deferred or forgivable loan structures that reduce upfront homebuying costs. Combined assistance programs represented 10% of all offerings, while first-mortgage programs accounted for 9%.
The report found municipalities continue to be the largest providers of homeownership assistance, administering 39% of all programs, followed by nonprofit organizations at 22% and state housing finance agencies at 18%. Local housing finance agencies account for an additional 8% of programs, while tribal organizations expanded their offerings by 4% to 56 programs.
About the Index
Down Payment Resource publishes the Homeownership Program Index quarterly by surveying the funding status, eligibility requirements and benefits of programs administered by more than 1,400 state and local housing finance agencies, municipalities, nonprofit organizations and other housing providers nationwide.
