For many aspiring homeowners, saving for a down payment is one of the biggest obstacles to buying a house. That’s where $10,000 down payment assistance programs can make a major difference. These programs offer financial support to qualified buyers—helping cover upfront costs and making homeownership more attainable. But one crucial factor determines your eligibility: your credit score.
Down payment assistance (DPA) programs are designed to help buyers with limited funds cover the initial costs of purchasing a home. These funds can come from state or local housing agencies, nonprofit organizations, or even employer-sponsored programs.
The $10,000 down payment assistance often comes in the form of:
Grants (which do not need to be repaid)
Forgivable loans (which may be waived after a certain period)
Deferred loans (repaid when you sell or refinance)
Most DPA programs have minimum credit score requirements to ensure borrowers are financially stable and able to handle mortgage payments. Your credit score helps lenders assess your reliability and risk.
Federal Programs (e.g., FHA)
State & Local Programs
Nonprofit/Employer Programs
Conventional Loan Assistance
580–640
620–660
Varies (Often 620+)
640–680
In addition to credit score, you’ll typically need to meet the following:
Be a first-time homebuyer (in many cases)
Meet income limits based on your area
Purchase a primary residence
Complete a homebuyer education course
Use an approved lender or real estate agent
Here are resources to explore:
HUD’s Local Assistance Directory
State Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs)
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs)
Nonprofit organizations like NACA
DownPaymentResource.com – a great tool to search programs by ZIP code