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 Size | Maximum 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
• 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)•