What down payment assistance programs are available in St. Louis?

St. Louis buyers have access to 6 programs tracked on this page. MHDC First Place Cash Assistance Loan provides 4% of the loan amount as a forgivable second mortgage (10% forgiven per year over 10 years), available statewide through MHDC-approved lenders with a 640 minimum credit score. St. Louis City buyers may also access LCRA programs funded through CDBG and HOME dollars for buyers below 80% AMI. St. Louis County buyers should ask about the County HOME Program for lower-income first-time buyers. Beyond Housing serves a specific 24-municipality area in North St. Louis County including the Normandy school district area. The Missouri Housing Trust Fund provides additional support in targeted communities. MHDC also offers a Non-Cash Assistance option with a lower first mortgage rate instead of cash DPA.

What is the MHDC Cash Assistance Loan and how does it work?

The MHDC Cash Assistance Loan (CAL) is Missouri's primary statewide DPA program. It provides 4% of the loan amount as a second mortgage that is forgivable over 10 years, with 10% forgiven each year. On a $200,000 loan, the CAL provides $8,000. On a $220,000 loan, it provides $8,800. If the buyer stays in the home for 10 years without selling or refinancing, the entire balance is forgiven and they owe nothing. If they sell or refinance before 10 years, the remaining unforgiven balance must be repaid. The CAL requires a 640 minimum credit score, first-time buyer status (exceptions in targeted areas), and income within MHDC's published limits for the St. Louis area (approximately $88,200 to $103,600 depending on household size). The purchase price limit is approximately $349,525 (verify the current 2026 limit at mhdc.com).

What is the difference between St. Louis City and St. Louis County for DPA programs?

St. Louis City and St. Louis County are legally separate jurisdictions in Missouri, a distinction unique in the United States. They do not share a government, tax base, or program administration. City programs such as LCRA assistance apply only to properties with a St. Louis City address. County programs such as the St. Louis County HOME Program apply only to properties in unincorporated St. Louis County or municipalities within the county. Buyers must identify which jurisdiction their target address falls in before researching which city or county programs apply. MHDC programs (the Cash Assistance Loan) are statewide and apply in both jurisdictions.

What is Beyond Housing and who does it serve?

Beyond Housing is a nonprofit serving the 24:1 Community, a 24-municipality area in North St. Louis County centered on the Normandy school district. It provides down payment assistance and homebuyer support for buyers targeting neighborhoods including Normandy, Wellston, Dellwood, Ferguson, Jennings, and surrounding areas. The income limit is 80% AMI. Buyers interested in purchasing in North County should contact Beyond Housing directly at beyondhousing.org or (314) 533-0600 before assuming only MHDC options are available. Beyond Housing has deep community knowledge of this specific geography and may have programs or funding unavailable through standard lender channels.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer for St. Louis DPA programs?

MHDC First Place programs require first-time buyer status, defined as not having owned a primary residence in the past three years. Exceptions apply in federally targeted areas, where repeat buyers may qualify. Ask your lender to run the target address through MHDC's targeted area lookup. St. Louis City LCRA programs and St. Louis County HOME programs also typically require first-time buyer status for direct DPA. Beyond Housing's specific eligibility requirements should be confirmed with them directly. Knowing your buyer status before approaching lenders or programs saves time.

What is the FHA loan limit in St. Louis?

The FHA loan limit for St. Louis City and St. Louis County is $472,030 for a single-family home in 2026. St. Louis's median home price of approximately $220,000 is well below this limit, meaning FHA financing is available for the vast majority of purchases in both the city and county. The high FHA limit relative to median prices means most St. Louis buyers are not constrained by loan limits. The MHDC purchase price limit of approximately $349,525 is more likely to be the binding constraint, not the FHA limit.

Can I stack MHDC CAL with city or county programs?

Yes, stacking is possible and represents the strongest DPA outcome for St. Louis buyers. City buyers below 80% AMI can potentially combine MHDC CAL (4% of loan amount) with St. Louis City LCRA assistance to cover most or all of the cash-to-close requirement. County buyers can potentially combine MHDC CAL with the St. Louis County HOME Program. On a $200,000 purchase, MHDC CAL provides $8,000 and a city or county program may add $8,000 to $10,000, for a combined $16,000 to $18,000. This can cover the full cash-to-close requirement. Stacking depends on program compatibility and current funding availability. Confirm with your lender and the city or county program directly before structuring a purchase around stacked assistance.

What credit score do I need for St. Louis DPA programs?

MHDC First Place programs require a 640 minimum credit score. St. Louis City LCRA programs and the County HOME Program require scores consistent with FHA or conventional loan underwriting, typically 620 to 640 minimum. Beyond Housing's credit requirements should be verified directly with them. VA loans for veterans typically require 580 to 620 depending on the lender. Buyers with scores below 640 who do not qualify for MHDC should contact the city or county program directly and ask about credit flexibility.

What are the income limits for St. Louis DPA programs?

St. Louis MSA Area Median Income is approximately $87,000 for a family of four. MHDC income limits for the St. Louis area range from approximately $88,200 to $103,600 depending on household size (higher limits for larger households). St. Louis City LCRA programs cap at 80% AMI, approximately $69,600 for a family of four. The St. Louis County HOME Program also caps at 80% AMI. Beyond Housing caps at 80% AMI as well. Buyers above 80% AMI but within MHDC limits should focus on MHDC CAL as their primary DPA option without layering a city or county program. Confirm exact limits with an MHDC-approved lender or directly with each program before assuming eligibility.

Is East St. Louis covered by Missouri DPA programs?

No. East St. Louis is in Illinois, not Missouri. Illinois programs apply to East St. Louis addresses, not MHDC or Missouri state programs. Buyers purchasing in the Illinois side of the metro (East St. Louis, Belleville, O'Fallon IL, Collinsville) must research Illinois DPA programs, which are administered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA). Missouri programs are limited to Missouri addresses. This is a common source of confusion because the St. Louis metro spans two states.

Can veterans use MHDC programs with VA loans?

MHDC programs can work with VA loans for closing cost assistance. Veterans purchasing in St. Louis with VA financing at 0% down still face closing costs of $4,000 to $7,000 on typical St. Louis purchases. MHDC's Cash Assistance Loan can layer over a VA first mortgage to provide cash for those closing costs. Ask your MHDC-approved lender explicitly whether VA loan stacking is permitted under current program terms. Veterans near Scott Air Force Base who are purchasing in Missouri neighborhoods should confirm Missouri program eligibility applies to their target address, particularly since the base itself is in Illinois.

Down Payment Assistance St. Louis MO 2026 | MHDC Cash Assistance Loan, City and County Programs

Last updated: April 2026 · Program availability changes frequently

Down Payment Assistance in St. Louis: Overview

St. Louis has one of the most dramatic neighborhood price variations of any major metro. A buyer can purchase a house on one block for $90,000 and pay $350,000 three blocks away. But affordability at $150,000 to $220,000 does not solve the cash-to-close problem. A buyer still needs $10,000 to $18,000 in hand at closing. That is three to five months of saving for most St. Louis households. MHDC's Cash Assistance Loan and city programs exist to close that specific gap.

Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) runs the First Place program statewide. Attached to it is the Cash Assistance Loan: 4% of the loan amount as a forgivable second mortgage, forgiven at 10% per year over 10 years. On a $200,000 loan that is $8,000. On a $220,000 loan that is $8,800. The amount is not fixed. It scales with the loan size, which matters in a market where buyers spread across a wide price range. Stay 10 years and the entire balance disappears. Sell or refinance before then and you repay the remaining unforgiven portion.

The city-county distinction is what trips up most St. Louis buyers. St. Louis City and St. Louis County are legally separate jurisdictions, a uniquely Missouri arrangement. A buyer purchasing in Tower Grove South has a St. Louis City address and qualifies for city LCRA programs. A buyer purchasing in Maplewood or Webster Groves has a St. Louis County address and should ask about the County HOME Program instead. These programs do not overlap. Knowing which jurisdiction you are in is step one before researching anything else.

North County buyers have a third option most lenders will not mention: Beyond Housing. This nonprofit serves a specific 24-municipality area in North St. Louis County centered on the Normandy school district, covering Ferguson, Jennings, Dellwood, Wellston, and surrounding areas. If a buyer is targeting that geography, Beyond Housing is the local expert with programs, counseling, and community knowledge that standard lender channels do not carry.

Quick Answer

Yes. St. Louis buyers have access to meaningful DPA through MHDC statewide and through city or county programs depending on which jurisdiction their target address falls in.

MHDC Cash Assistance Loan: 4% of the loan amount, forgivable over 10 years, for first-time buyers with 640+ credit and income within MHDC limits. St. Louis City LCRA: city-funded assistance for buyers at or below 80% AMI in the city. St. Louis County HOME: county-administered HUD funds for lower-income first-time buyers in the county. Beyond Housing: DPA for buyers targeting North St. Louis County's 24-municipality area.

On a $200,000 purchase: FHA at 3.5% requires $7,000 down plus $4,500 to $6,000 in closing costs, total $11,500 to $13,000. MHDC CAL alone provides $8,000 and cuts the gap to $3,500 to $5,000. Add a city or county program and the buyer can reach zero cash out of pocket.

St. Louis Market Context: Price Variation, City vs. County, and the Cash Gap

St. Louis is not a single housing market. It is dozens of micro-markets stacked on top of each other within two separate legal jurisdictions. A buyer with a $200,000 budget can find a three-bedroom home in Benton Park, North Hampton, or Dutchtown in St. Louis City. The same buyer in St. Louis County finds options in Florissant, Jennings, or parts of Hazelwood. Neighborhoods with strong walkability, restaurants, and historic architecture command $280,000 to $400,000 in the city. The Normandy area and sections of North County remain well below $150,000.

$90K

Entry-level North County

$220K

Approx. metro median

$350K+

Desirable city/county areas

The cash problem persists even at $150,000 to $200,000. A buyer purchasing a $175,000 home with FHA at 3.5% owes $6,125 in down payment plus $4,000 to $5,500 in closing costs. Total: $10,125 to $11,625. A household earning $55,000 and saving 10% per year accumulates $5,500 per year. It takes two years to reach closing readiness at that price point. MHDC's CAL provides $7,000 on a $175,000 loan, cutting that gap to $3,000 to $4,500. Add a city or county program and the buyer can close with minimal cash out of pocket.

City vs. County jurisdiction note: St. Louis City and St. Louis County are completely separate governmental entities. Popular city neighborhoods include Tower Grove, The Grove, Benton Park, Carondelet, and Soulard. County communities include Maplewood, Kirkwood, Webster Groves, Florissant, and Chesterfield. Your target address determines which city or county programs you can access. MHDC applies to both. Everything else depends on the jurisdiction.

Major employers anchoring St. Louis homebuying demand include Washington University, Saint Louis University, Barnes Jewish Hospital, BJC HealthCare, Boeing, and Anheuser-Busch. The healthcare corridor along Kingshighway and the I-64 corridor generates consistent first-time buyer demand. Midtown and downtown have seen significant loft conversion and new construction investment, pulling buyers into the city core who previously defaulted to county options.

How DPA Programs Work in St. Louis

Forgivable Second Mortgages (MHDC CAL)

The MHDC Cash Assistance Loan is structured as a second mortgage that forgives at 10% per year over 10 years. No monthly payment is required. If you sell or refinance in year 3, you owe 70% of the original balance. If you stay 10 years, you owe nothing. The forgivable structure is better than a deferred loan for buyers planning to stay long-term, and better than a grant that may require repayment with interest in some configurations. The 4% calculation scales with the loan: larger purchase equals larger CAL amount.

City and County CDBG/HOME Funds (LCRA, County HOME)

Both St. Louis City and St. Louis County receive HUD Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnership funds annually. Portions are allocated to DPA for first-time buyers below 80% AMI. These programs can provide $8,000 to $10,000 or more depending on the funding cycle. They typically have fewer applicants than MHDC programs because they are less publicized. The trade-off: availability varies year to year and funding can run out mid-cycle. Verify current funding before building a purchase plan around city or county programs.

Nonprofit DPA (Beyond Housing)

Beyond Housing operates in a defined 24-municipality geographic area in North St. Louis County. It provides DPA and homebuyer support for buyers in this specific corridor. If you are targeting the Normandy area, Ferguson, or Jennings, Beyond Housing should be the first call before approaching a standard lender. Nonprofits often have access to local funding sources and community-specific programs that MHDC-approved lenders do not track.

Rate Alternative (MHDC Non-Cash Option)

MHDC's First Place program also offers a Non-Cash Assistance option: a lower interest rate on the first mortgage instead of the 4% cash DPA. The rate reduction saves money monthly over 30 years instead of delivering cash at closing. Run the comparison with your lender. At higher loan amounts and longer hold periods, the cumulative rate savings can exceed the $8,000 to $10,000 CAL cash amount. At lower loan amounts or shorter expected hold periods, the CAL cash is usually the better choice.

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This guide is for informational purposes only and is not a commitment to lend. Program availability, terms, and eligibility requirements change frequently. All program details should be verified directly with the administering agency or an approved lender before making financial decisions. DownPaymentScout is an independent resource and is not affiliated with any government agency or lending institution. Information is believed accurate as of the date shown but is not guaranteed. Last updated April 2026. Program availability changes frequently.

Down Payment Assistance in St. Louis, Missouri