Guides / Down Payment Assistance / Oregon

Down Payment Assistance in Oregon

Oregon does have a distinct state-level down payment assistance system, run by Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) rather than a single named grant: the OHCS Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program (up to $60,000 or 20% of purchase price, competitively funded through local nonprofit partners statewide, with 25% reserved for veterans) and the Oregon Bond Residential Loan Program (a below-market-rate first mortgage with an optional 3% cash-assistance "Cash Advantage" option for closing costs). Both require first-time-buyer status (with exceptions for targeted areas/first-generation buyers), income limits tied to Area Median Income or IRS bond limits that vary by county, and completion of homebuyer education; a 620 credit score is the commonly cited practical minimum for FHA-backed loans used with these programs, though OHCS itself does not publish a single fixed credit floor. Exact current-year income and purchase-price limits are set and updated by OHCS on a rolling basis by county and household size, so applicants should verify the precise figures for their county directly with OHCS or a participating lender before relying on them.

Programs

Oregon Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), delivered through local partner organizations awarded funding statewide (e.g., Community Connection of Northeast Oregon, NeighborImpact, Innovative Changes, etc.)
Amount: Up to $60,000 or 20% of the purchase price, whichever is less. At least 25% of program funds are reserved specifically for eligible Oregon veterans.
Type: Forgivable/deferred down payment and closing cost assistance (structured as a subordinate loan; terms vary by administering local partner agency)
Must be a first-time and/or first-generation homebuyer (no ownership of a principal residence in the prior 3 years, with some first-generation provisions); household income generally must be at or below 100% of Area Median Income (AMI) for the county; must complete OHCS-approved homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling with a certified housing counselor; must work with a participating lender; property must be a primary residence in Oregon. Veteran DPA allows up to 10% of assistance for lender-required repairs.
Oregon Bond Residential Loan Program (Cash Advantage / Rate Advantage)
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS), issued via tax-exempt mortgage revenue bonds and delivered through OHCS-approved participating lenders
Amount: Cash Advantage option provides cash assistance equal to 3% of the loan amount toward closing costs (cannot be used for FHA minimum investment); Rate Advantage option instead offers the lowest available fixed below-market interest rate with no cash assistance. As of recent published limits, program income caps range roughly from the $99,000s to $165,000s depending on county/household size, and purchase price limits vary by county (OHCS updates these figures periodically; borrowers should confirm current limits for their county at closing time).
Type: Below-market-rate first mortgage loan (FHA, USDA-RD, VA, or conventional) paired with an optional cash-assistance component
Must be a first-time homebuyer (no ownership interest in a principal residence in the prior 3 years) unless purchasing in a designated 'Targeted Area,' which waives this requirement; must be an Oregon resident and occupy the home as a primary residence; household income cannot exceed OHCS/IRS-established program limits for the county; no bankruptcy discharge within the past 2 years or foreclosure within the past 5 years; minimum lender-required credit score is commonly 620 for FHA-backed loans under this program (varies slightly by loan type and lender); a federal IRS 'recapture fee' may apply if the home is sold within 9 years and income/profit thresholds are exceeded.

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 OregonTransfer Tax & Closing Costs in OregonBuyer-Agent Agreements in OregonSeller Disclosure Laws in OregonFind Agents in OregonDown Payment Calculator