Philly First Home

Homebuyer Assistance

The City of Philadelphia wants you to be a successful homeowner!

We are offering a homebuyer assistance grant of up to $10,000 (or 6% of the home’s purchase price, whichever is lower) to assist first-time homebuyers reduce the principal, cover down payment and loan closing costs.

To be eligible you must complete a FREE City-funded homeownership counseling program before you sign an Agreement of Sale. Homeownership counseling successfully prepares borrowers for this big life decision. In homeownership counseling, you will learn about:

  • Purchasing a home within your budget
  • Avoiding dangerous mortgages
  • Rights and responsibilities of homeowners
  • Mortgage application/purchase processes
  • Improving credit, credit repair and credit maintenance
  • Money management
  • Home maintenance
  • Avoiding foreclosure
  • Deeds and other legal housing documents

What type of property is eligible?

The property must be a single-family home or duplex located in Philadelphia (no condominiums).

Who is eligible?

  • You must be a first-time buyer*
  • You must complete one-on-one homeownership counseling through a City-funded housing counseling agency before signing an Agreement of Sale.
  • Agreement of sale must be signed by homebuyer and seller on or after May 2nd, 2022.
  • You must be income eligible (see chart).

Download the Philly First Home Flyers:

How Do I Apply?

Contact a City-funded housing counseling agency. They will need:

  • Total annual family income
  • Source of that income (employment, SSI, DPA, etc.)
  • Number of family members who will live in the house

* or have not owned a home in the past three years.

Income Guidelines

Income is calculated using grossincome for all members of the family who will live in the home.

Family SizeMaximum Annual
Household Income
1$80,100
2$91,550
3$103,000
4$114,400
5$123,600
6$141,900
7$151,050
8$160,200
More than 8
add per person		$9,150

For additional housing information, visit www.phila.gov/dhcd  or call 215-686-9749.

Application Status Summary

Program re-launched on May 2. As of the beginning of July 2023:

  • Awarded 1,171 people for $11,011,017
  • Approved 51 people for $481,140
  • Under Review 38 people for $366,106
  • Draft 56 people for $513,437
Total 1,316 people for $12,371,700

• Avg sales price is $192,700
• 7.4 mil in transfer tax was returned to the City

AMI:

  • 20% at or below 50% AMI
  • 29% greater than or equal to 80% AMI
  • 51% in the middle from 50-80% AMI

Race:

  • 56% Black or African American;
  • 20% more than one race;
  • 18% White;
  • 3% Asian

• Over half of the grants are to female head of households (586)•