Arkansas offers 8 down payment assistance programs to help homebuyers cover their down payment and closing costs. This includes 1 grant program that never require repayment. Programs range from statewide options administered by the state housing finance agency to local city and county programs targeting specific communities.
Maximum assistance available reaches $40,000 through the most generous program. Most programs require the home to be your primary residence, and many require homebuyer education.
Top Down Payment Assistance Programs in Arkansas
Highlighted programs that combine high assistance amounts with statewide or major-metro availability. See the full list below.
Crawford-Sebastian Homeownership Center DPA
verifyCrawford-Sebastian Community Development Council
UP TO $10,000 for DPA/closing + UP TO $40,000 principal reduction
Down Payment Assistance
openConfederated Tribes of Grand Ronde - Housing
20 (max $20,000)
ADFA Down Payment Assistance (DPA)
openArkansas Development Finance Authority
$15,000
City of Little Rock Community Development DPA
verifyCity of Little Rock
6% of purchase price (max (max UP TO 6% of purchase price (max $10,000))
City of Jonesboro Homeownership Assistance
verifyCity of Jonesboro Grants & Community Development
UP TO $5,000
Grant Programs (1)
Grants are the gold standard of down payment assistance. You receive the money and never have to pay it back.
Down Payment Assistance
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde - Housing
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Forgivable Loans (3)
Forgivable loans are forgiven after a set period of living in the home. If you stay, you keep the money.
Crawford-Sebastian Homeownership Center DPA
Crawford-Sebastian Community Development Council
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Not specified
- Income Limit
- Low-moderate income
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- forgivable loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Repayment Terms
Deferred forgivable loan: 5, 10, or 15 years depending on amount
Additional Requirements
Approved lender required. HUD-certified homebuyer education required
Notes
Occupancy requirement: Primary residence for full forgiveness
City of Little Rock Community Development DPA
City of Little Rock
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- 80% AMI
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- $10,000
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- forgivable loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Repayment Terms
Forgivable second loan, 5 years (equal annual forgiveness)
Additional Requirements
Approved homebuyer education required
Notes
Low- to moderate-income first-time buyers. Occupancy requirement: 5 years
City of Jonesboro Homeownership Assistance
City of Jonesboro Grants & Community Development
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- HUD income limits
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- forgivable loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Repayment Terms
Fully forgiven after 3 years of occupancy
Additional Requirements
HUD-approved homebuyer counseling. Approved lender required
Notes
No homeownership in past 3 years. Occupancy requirement: 3 years
Deferred Payment Loans (4)
Deferred loans require no monthly payments while you live in the home. You repay when you sell, refinance, or move out.
ADFA Down Payment Assistance (DPA)
Arkansas Development Finance Authority
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Townhouse/PUD, Condominium, 2 units, Modular, Manufactured
- Max Price
- $500,000
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +4
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Interest Rate
DPA matches ADFA First Mortgage Rate interest rate
Repayment Terms
Fully Amortizing
City of Pine Bluff Home Buyer Assistance
City of Pine Bluff Economic Development
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Not specified
- Income Limit
- 80% AMI
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Repayment Terms
Deferred-payment loan; sale or refinance within 5 years may trigger repayment
Additional Requirements
Minimum $500 buyer contribution. Prepaids excluded from closing cost assistance
Notes
Occupancy requirement: 5 years
Chenoa Fund FHA Down Payment Assistance Forgivable
CBC Mortgage Agency (Chenoa Fund)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, Leasehold, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD, Manufactured
- Max Price
- $766,550
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- FHA
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Chenoa Fund FHA Down Payment Assistance Repayable
CBC Mortgage Agency (Chenoa Fund)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, Leasehold, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD, Manufactured
- Max Price
- $766,550
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- FHA
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
Note rate 1% above the first mortgage note rate
Repayment Terms
This loan does require a monthly payment on the second mortgage.
How to Apply for Down Payment Assistance in Arkansas
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1
Check Your Eligibility
Use our free eligibility tool to see which programs match your situation. Enter your state, city, income, and target home price.
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2
Contact the Program Administrator
Each program has its own application process. Visit the program website or call the administering agency to get started. Many programs work through approved lenders.
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3
Get Pre-Approved with a Participating Lender
Not every lender participates in every DPA program. Work with a lender who is approved for the programs you want. The program administrator can provide a list of approved lenders.
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4
Complete Homebuyer Education (If Required)
Many programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Online options through eHome America and Framework are accepted by most programs.
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5
Close & Move In
DPA funds are typically disbursed at closing alongside your first mortgage. Your lender coordinates the DPA program paperwork as part of the loan process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Arkansas?
Up to $40,000 through available programs in Arkansas. Multiple programs can often be combined for even more assistance. The exact amount depends on your income, location, and the specific program requirements.
Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer?
Not always. 3 programs in Arkansas are open to repeat buyers. "First-time buyer" is typically defined as not having owned a home in the past three years.
What credit score do I need?
Requirements vary by program. Most require a credit score of at least 620-660.
Can I combine multiple DPA programs?
In many cases, yes. Some programs are specifically designed to be layered with others. For example, you might combine a state grant with a local deferred loan. Check with each program administrator about stacking eligibility.
DPA Programs in Nearby States
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