Guides / Down Payment Assistance / Illinois

Down Payment Assistance in Illinois

Illinois does have a distinct state-level down payment assistance program set, administered entirely by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) through its "Access" mortgage suite, delivered via IHDA-approved participating lenders (not directly by the state). As of 2026, IHDA offers four active down payment/closing-cost assistance options that pair with an IHDA first mortgage — the newest and largest being "IHDAccess Home," launched statewide by Governor JB Pritzker in March 2026, offering up to $15,000 (6% of purchase price) as a zero-interest deferred second mortgage. All Access products share core eligibility rules: 640+ credit score, first-time homebuyer (or qualified veteran) status, 50% max DTI, a minimum borrower contribution, and county-specific income/purchase-price caps published at ihdamortgage.org/limits.

Programs

IHDAccess Home
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), via IHDA-approved participating lenders
Amount: 6% of purchase price, up to $15,000, provided as a 0% interest, deferred (silent) second mortgage. No monthly payment; repayment deferred up to 30 years unless the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off sooner.
Type: Deferred second mortgage (down payment/closing cost assistance)
Must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership interest in a principal residence in the prior 3 years) or a qualified veteran (COE or honorable-discharge DD214). Minimum credit score 640 (all IHDA loan types). Debt-to-income ratio of 50% or less. Borrower must contribute at least $1,000 or 1% of purchase price, whichever is greater. Income and home purchase price must be at or below IHDA's county-specific limits (targeted vs. non-targeted area), published at ihdamortgage.org/limits. Must be paired with an IHDA first-mortgage loan (30-year fixed rate) and used for owner-occupied primary residence (existing or new-construction) in Illinois. Launched statewide by Gov. JB Pritzker and IHDA in March 2026 as an expansion of the Access mortgage suite.
IHDAccess Repayable
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), via participating lenders
Amount: 10% of purchase price, up to $10,000, as a repayable second mortgage at 0% interest, repaid in equal monthly installments over 10 years.
Type: Repayable second mortgage (down payment/closing cost assistance)
Same baseline IHDA requirements as other Access products: minimum 640 credit score, first-time homebuyer or qualified veteran status (or exemption in targeted areas), county-specific income and purchase price limits, DTI of 50% or less, minimum borrower contribution of $1,000 or 1% of purchase price. Must be combined with an IHDA first mortgage.
IHDAccess Deferred
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), via participating lenders
Amount: 5% of purchase price, up to $7,500, as a 0% interest deferred loan with no monthly payments; due when the first mortgage matures, is refinanced, or the home is sold, whichever comes first.
Type: Deferred second mortgage (down payment/closing cost assistance)
Same baseline IHDA requirements: minimum 640 credit score, first-time homebuyer or qualified veteran status, county-specific income/purchase price limits, DTI 50% or less, minimum borrower contribution of $1,000 or 1% of purchase price. Must be paired with an IHDA first mortgage.
IHDAccess Forgivable
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA), via participating lenders
Amount: 4% of purchase price, up to $6,000, structured as a forgivable loan — balance is forgiven gradually and fully forgiven if the borrower remains in the home for 10 years (no repayment required if occupancy condition is met).
Type: Forgivable second mortgage (down payment/closing cost assistance)
Same baseline IHDA requirements: minimum 640 credit score, first-time homebuyer or qualified veteran status, county-specific income/purchase price limits, DTI 50% or less, minimum borrower contribution of $1,000 or 1% of purchase price. Must be paired with an IHDA first mortgage; forgiveness is forfeited (repayment triggered) if the home is sold or refinanced before the 10-year period ends.

Facts on this page reflect research current as of 2026-07-05. Programs, rates, and laws change — confirm current figures with the relevant state agency before relying on them.

Related Resources
Property Taxes in IllinoisTransfer Tax & Closing Costs in IllinoisBuyer-Agent Agreements in IllinoisSeller Disclosure Laws in IllinoisFind Agents in IllinoisDown Payment Calculator