Mississippi offers 13 down payment assistance programs to help homebuyers cover their down payment and closing costs. This includes 4 grant programs 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 $30,000 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 Mississippi
Highlighted programs that combine high assistance amounts with statewide or major-metro availability. See the full list below.
City of Biloxi HOME Program Homebuyer Assistance Program
verifyCity of Biloxi Community Development Federal Programs Division
$30,000
Down Payment Assistance for First Time Homebuyers
openCity of Vicksburg Housing Department
UP TO $25,000 (Mississippi Home Corporation Home Loan Plus, 5-year forgivable with deed restriction). Also available: MHC Smart Solutions Premium (4% of loan, no repayment), FHLBank Dallas AHP (UP TO $7,500). City Affordable Housing Program grant amount varies annually.
Down Payment Assistance
openConfederated Tribes of Grand Ronde - Housing
20 (max $20,000)
Homebuyer Assistance Program
openCity of Jackson Housing and Community Development
$15,000
DPA 14
openMississippi Home Corporation
$14,000
Grant Programs (4)
Grants are the gold standard of down payment assistance. You receive the money and never have to pay it back.
Down Payment Assistance for First Time Homebuyers
City of Vicksburg Housing Department
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Varies
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
0%
Repayment Terms
Varies by program: MHC Smart Solutions Premium. no repayment, no deed restrictions. MHC Home Loan Plus. forgiven after 5 years, 5-year deed restriction. City Affordable Housing Program. grant with 5-year deed restriction. FHLBank Dallas AHP. grant conditions apply.
Notes
Required
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
DPA 14
Mississippi Home Corporation
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Townhouse/PUD, Condominium
- Max Price
- $380,640
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Housing Assistance for Teachers (HAT)
Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) / Mississippi Department of Education
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Not specified
- Income Limit
- No income limit
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- single-family, condo, townhome, PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- teachers
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Income Limits
No income limit for standalone HAT program. Income limits of the paired MHC program apply when combined with Smart7, Easy8, Trusty10, or JustRate.
Check AMI limits for your county →Interest Rate
0%
Repayment Terms
Grant assistance is forgiven upon completing 3 years of service as a licensed teacher in a critical shortage school district. If the teacher leaves the district before completing 3 years, repayment is required. The Loan Agreement converts to an interest-free grant upon satisfying the service requirement.
Notes
HAT Available Funds as of April 12, 2026: $1,430 (per MHC live rates page). effectively insufficient to fund another loan at up to $6,000 per borrower. New appropriation needed for 2026-2027 program year before funds are available. Can be combined with MHC Smart7, Easy8, Trusty10, or JustRate programs. Property must be located in the county of the school district where the teacher is employed. Minimum 1% down payment and one month reserves required from borrower.
Forgivable Loans (1)
Forgivable loans are forgiven after a set period of living in the home. If you stay, you keep the money.
HOME Downpayment Assistance for First Time Homebuyers
City of Hattiesburg Community Development Division
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- 80% AMI
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- single-family
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- forgivable loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Income Limits
Low to very low income per HUD AMI definitions. At or below 80% AMI for HOME program homebuyer assistance.
Check AMI limits for your county →Interest Rate
0%
Repayment Terms
Pro-rata forgiveness over the HOME affordability period. Program listed under "Programs with ongoing application periods" per city website. Specific term length (5 or 10 years) not explicitly stated; consistent with HUD HOME rules based on assistance amount. Homebuyer education required.
Notes
The 2025 Annual Action Plan does not include a dedicated DPA allocation (HOME funds directed to rehab, TBRA, and CHDO set-aside). Program listed under "Programs with ongoing application periods" on city website suggesting it runs when funds are available. Homebuyer education required per 2025 Action Plan. Contact: Community Development Division, (601) 554-1006, cdbg@hattiesburgms.com, 200 Forrest Street, Hattiesburg, MS 39401.
Deferred Payment Loans (8)
Deferred loans require no monthly payments while you live in the home. You repay when you sell, refinance, or move out.
City of Biloxi HOME Program Homebuyer Assistance Program
City of Biloxi Community Development Federal Programs Division
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Varies
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Must maintain primary residence for 10 years. Specific recapture terms if residency requirement is not met are not stated in the program PDF. Structure is consistent with HOME program pro-rata recapture rules.
Notes
FUNDING STATUS UNCERTAIN: Biloxi is not a HOME entitlement city (confirmed via biloxi.ms.us/cdbg/: "Biloxi does not receive an annual allocation of funds from HUD for the HOME...program, but must work with other agencies to compete for funding"). DPA funding depends on competitive HOME grant awards. No 2025 or 2026 award confirmation found. Program PDF exists and is accessible but is undated. Contact: Community Development Federal Programs Division, (228) 435-6280, spickich@biloxi.ms.us.
Homebuyer Assistance Program
City of Jackson Housing and Community Development
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- $156,000
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
None
Repayment Terms
Forgivable - Fully forgiven at closing or forgiven on a schedule
Trusty10
Mississippi Home Corporation
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Townhouse/PUD, Condominium
- Max Price
- $380,640
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +4, USDA-RD, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
2%
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayment at sales or finance
Easy8
Mississippi Home Corporation
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Townhouse/PUD, Condominium
- Max Price
- $380,640
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
0% interest
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayment at sales or finance
Smart7
Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- $132,770 maximum household annual income...
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- single-family, condo, townhome, manufactured
- Max Price
- $398,310
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- FHA, VA, USDA, Conventional
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Income Limits
$132,770 maximum household annual income (statewide flat limit, not county-based).
Check AMI limits for your county →Interest Rate
0%
Repayment Terms
Deferred second mortgage, 0% interest, no monthly payments. Full balance due upon sale, refinance, non-owner occupancy, or payoff of first mortgage.
Notes
No first-time homebuyer requirement. No liquid asset limit. Program was formerly branded "Smart6" with $6,000 assistance; rebranded to "Smart7" with $7,000 (per live MHC page April 2026). DPA One lists as Smart6, DPA-MS-S-0009-003. First mortgage rates as of April 12, 2026: Government 6.54% / Conventional 6.74%. Can be combined with Housing Assistance for Teachers (HAT) program for eligible teachers.
Smart6
Mississippi Home Corporation
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Townhouse/PUD, Condominium, Manufactured
- Max Price
- $398,310
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +4
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayable at sale or refinance
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 Mississippi
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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 Mississippi?
Up to $30,000 through available programs in Mississippi. 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. 5 programs in Mississippi 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
Help Us Keep This Data Accurate
Know about a DPA program in Mississippi that's changed, closed, or one we're missing? This directory is community-maintained. Your input helps thousands of homebuyers find the right programs.
Submit a Program Update →Get Your Free Mississippi DPA Action Plan
Tell us about your situation and we will put together a personalized guide to the programs you may qualify for.
We are putting together your action plan.
Check your email for next steps. In the meantime, you can also schedule a free consultation.
Schedule a Free Consultation