Down Payment Assistance & Grant Programs in Wisconsin: What’s Available and How to Qualify

Dustin Grenier
Oct 23
4 min read

Fear the down payment is out of reach? Wisconsin has your back! Don’t let upfront costs stop your home-buying dreams. From Milwaukee’s bustling neighborhoods to Madison’s thriving communities, local programs are designed to help first-time buyers unlock affordable homeownership.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

What down payment assistance and grants are offered in Wisconsin
Who qualifies (income, credit score, location, etc.)
Steps to apply
Tips for maximizing your chances
How Team DG can help you every step of the way

What Down Payment Assistance & Grant Programs Exist in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin offers multiple state, local, and nonprofit programs that provide grants, forgivable loans, or deferred second mortgages to help with down payment and closing costs. Some programs are statewide; others are tied to specific counties or cities.

Here are some of the most used programs:

Program	What It Gives You	Where It Applies / Notes
WHEDA Easy Close DPA	A second mortgage from $1,000 up to 6% of purchase price	Available statewide when paired with a WHEDA first mortgage. Bankrate+2wheda.com+2
WHEDA Capital Access DPA	Up to $7,500 in 0% interest, no monthly payments (deferred)	Eligibility limits apply; funds are sometimes temporarily unavailable. Bankrate+1
Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance	Forgivable grants of up to $5,000, or $7,000 in designated areas	Must meet income and residency rules. city.milwaukee.gov
Home-Buy the American Dream (Madison)	$1,000 to $35,000 loans for down payment & closing costs	Deferred, repaid when you sell or refinance. City of Madison, WI+1
HOME Consortium (Jefferson, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington Counties)	Forgivable DPA up to $10,000	Must stay in home 5 years for full forgiveness. washcowisco.gov
Downpayment Plus® Program	Grant assistance up to $10,000	Works statewide via participating lenders. NeighborWorks Blackhawk Region+2movin-out.org+2
Movin’ Out & HHR (Homebuyer & Rehab Program)	0% interest, deferred repayment for down payment + closing	For first-time buyers, disabilities, or buy+rehab situations. energyandhousing.wi.gov +1
Western Dairyland DPA	Up to $2,500 in assistance	Limited to certain counties (Eau Claire, Trempealeau, Jackson, Buffalo) westerndairyland.org

These programs help make otherwise out-of-reach homes more affordable by lowering your initial cost.

Who Qualifies? (Income, Credit, Location, Buyer Status)

Every program has its own rules, but common qualifying criteria include:

First-time homebuyer status Many DPAs are reserved for first-time buyers (or at least someone who hasn’t owned a home in the past 3–5 years).
Income limits Most programs cap eligibility at a percentage of area or county median income (AMI) (often 80% to 120%). SoFi+3City of La Crosse+3City of Madison, WI+3
Credit score & debt-to-income (DTI) Some programs require minimum FICO scores (e.g. 620 for WHEDA Conventional) and maximum DTI ratios. The Mortgage Reports+1
Homebuyer education / counseling Many programs require you to complete a HUD-approved homebuyer course or counseling. City of Madison, WI+3energyandhousing.wi.gov+3movin-out.org+3
Primary residence requirement & occupancy period You must live in the home as your primary residence, often for 5 years or more to fully forgive the assistance. washcowisco.gov +2movin-out.org +2
Home price limits & location restrictions The home must often fall under a maximum purchase price. Some programs only apply in certain counties or cities. washcowisco.gov +2westerndairyland.org +2

Because each DPA has unique thresholds, it’s smart to check your specific county or city’s programs early in the process.

Steps to Apply (How to Use DPA + Grants)

Start with a WHEDA-approved lender WHEDA programs (Easy Close, Capital Access) require you to use a participating lender. wheda.com +1
Get prequalified & see which DPAs you qualify for Your lender or housing counselor can help you compare WHEDA vs local grants in your city or county.
Complete homebuyer education / counseling Many programs won’t release funds until you’ve completed certified coursework.
Find a home within price limits and in eligible areas Use “homes for sale near me” or “Zillow homes for sale,” but filter by areas that accept assistance.
Apply for DPA / grant You or your lender submits paperwork and documentation (income, credit, employment, etc.).
Close the home with combined financing The DPA funds are layered on top of your first mortgage to cover down payment + closing costs.
Satisfy occupancy / forgiveness conditions Live in the home for the required period (often 5 years) so the assistance is forgiven.

Tips for Increasing Your Approval Odds

Boost your credit score (aim for 620+ or more)
Keep debt low, don’t open new debts before closing
Save some cash for “own funds” (many programs require $500–$1,000)
Complete counseling early, don’t leave it to the last minute
Work with a lender/agent familiar with first time homebuyer programs in Wisconsin
Lock in favorable mortgage rates in Wisconsin as soon as possible
Monitor local program funding - some DPAs run out early in the year

How Team DG Can Help You

We can assess which down payment assistance or grant programs in Wisconsin you qualify for
We’ll connect you with WHEDA-approved lenders and local financial partners
We’ll guide you through every step, from homebuyer education to closing
We monitor and alert you when funding opens in your county or city
We help you analyze mortgage rates in Wisconsin, refinance options, affordability, and negotiate the best terms

If you’re ready, click through to see our Wisconsin Home Buyer Services blogs or schedule a free consultation here

Let’s make your homeownership dream in Wisconsin become real.

Sources & Further Reading (Backlinks)

WHEDA Loan Programs & DPA Options - WHEDA Home Buyers wheda.com
“Wisconsin First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Programs” - Bankrate guide Bankrate
Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance Program city.milwaukee.gov
City of Madison’s Home-Buy the American Dream Program City of Madison, WI+1
HOME Consortium DPA in Waukesha / Ozaukee / Jefferson / Washington Counties washcowisco.gov
Downpayment Plus® Program in Wisconsin NeighborWorks Blackhawk Region+1
Wisconsin HHR / Rehab and DPA Program (statewide) energyandhousing.wi.gov
Western Dairyland DPA - local assistance in certain counties westerndairyland.org

Fear the down payment is out of reach? Wisconsin has your back! Don’t let upfront costs stop your home-buying dreams. From Milwaukee’s bustling neighborhoods to Madison’s thriving communities, local programs are designed to help first-time buyers unlock affordable homeownership.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through:

What down payment assistance and grants are offered in Wisconsin

Who qualifies (income, credit score, location, etc.)

Steps to apply

Tips for maximizing your chances

How Team DG can help you every step of the way

What Down Payment Assistance & Grant Programs Exist in Wisconsin?

Wisconsin offers multiple state, local, and nonprofit programs that provide grants, forgivable loans, or deferred second mortgages to help with down payment and closing costs. Some programs are statewide; others are tied to specific counties or cities.

Here are some of the most used programs:

Program

What It Gives You

Where It Applies / Notes

WHEDA Easy Close DPA

A second mortgage from $1,000 up to 6% of purchase price

Available statewide when paired with a WHEDA first mortgage. Bankrate+2wheda.com+2

WHEDA Capital Access DPA

Up to $7,500 in 0% interest, no monthly payments (deferred)

Eligibility limits apply; funds are sometimes temporarily unavailable. Bankrate+1

Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance

Forgivable grants of up to $5,000, or $7,000 in designated areas

Must meet income and residency rules. city.milwaukee.gov

Home-Buy the American Dream (Madison)

$1,000 to $35,000 loans for down payment & closing costs

Deferred, repaid when you sell or refinance. City of Madison, WI+1

HOME Consortium (Jefferson, Waukesha, Ozaukee, Washington Counties)

Forgivable DPA up to $10,000

Must stay in home 5 years for full forgiveness. washcowisco.gov

Downpayment Plus® Program

Grant assistance up to $10,000

Works statewide via participating lenders. NeighborWorks Blackhawk Region+2movin-out.org+2

Movin’ Out & HHR (Homebuyer & Rehab Program)

0% interest, deferred repayment for down payment + closing

For first-time buyers, disabilities, or buy+rehab situations. energyandhousing.wi.gov+1

Western Dairyland DPA

Up to $2,500 in assistance

Limited to certain counties (Eau Claire, Trempealeau, Jackson, Buffalo) westerndairyland.org

These programs help make otherwise out-of-reach homes more affordable by lowering your initial cost.

Who Qualifies? (Income, Credit, Location, Buyer Status)

Every program has its own rules, but common qualifying criteria include:

First-time homebuyer status Many DPAs are reserved for first-time buyers (or at least someone who hasn’t owned a home in the past 3–5 years).

Income limits Most programs cap eligibility at a percentage of area or county median income (AMI) (often 80% to 120%). SoFi+3City of La Crosse+3City of Madison, WI+3

Credit score & debt-to-income (DTI) Some programs require minimum FICO scores (e.g. 620 for WHEDA Conventional) and maximum DTI ratios. The Mortgage Reports+1

Homebuyer education / counseling Many programs require you to complete a HUD-approved homebuyer course or counseling. City of Madison, WI+3energyandhousing.wi.gov+3movin-out.org+3

Primary residence requirement & occupancy period You must live in the home as your primary residence, often for 5 years or more to fully forgive the assistance. washcowisco.gov+2movin-out.org+2

Home price limits & location restrictions The home must often fall under a maximum purchase price. Some programs only apply in certain counties or cities. washcowisco.gov+2westerndairyland.org+2

Because each DPA has unique thresholds, it’s smart to check your specific county or city’s programs early in the process.

Steps to Apply (How to Use DPA + Grants)

Start with a WHEDA-approved lender WHEDA programs (Easy Close, Capital Access) require you to use a participating lender. wheda.com+1

Get prequalified & see which DPAs you qualify for Your lender or housing counselor can help you compare WHEDA vs local grants in your city or county.

Complete homebuyer education / counseling Many programs won’t release funds until you’ve completed certified coursework.

Find a home within price limits and in eligible areas Use “homes for sale near me” or “Zillow homes for sale,” but filter by areas that accept assistance.

Apply for DPA / grant You or your lender submits paperwork and documentation (income, credit, employment, etc.).

Close the home with combined financing The DPA funds are layered on top of your first mortgage to cover down payment + closing costs.

Satisfy occupancy / forgiveness conditions Live in the home for the required period (often 5 years) so the assistance is forgiven.

Tips for Increasing Your Approval Odds

Boost your credit score (aim for 620+ or more)

Keep debt low, don’t open new debts before closing

Save some cash for “own funds” (many programs require $500–$1,000)

Complete counseling early, don’t leave it to the last minute

Work with a lender/agent familiar with first time homebuyer programs in Wisconsin

Lock in favorable mortgage rates in Wisconsin as soon as possible

Monitor local program funding - some DPAs run out early in the year

How Team DG Can Help You

We can assess which down payment assistance or grant programs in Wisconsin you qualify for

We’ll connect you with WHEDA-approved lenders and local financial partners

We’ll guide you through every step, from homebuyer education to closing

We monitor and alert you when funding opens in your county or city

We help you analyze mortgage rates in Wisconsin, refinance options, affordability, and negotiate the best terms

If you’re ready, click through to see our Wisconsin Home Buyer Services blogs or schedule a free consultation here

Let’s make your homeownership dream in Wisconsin become real.

Sources & Further Reading (Backlinks)

WHEDA Loan Programs & DPA Options - WHEDA Home Buyers wheda.com

“Wisconsin First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Programs” - Bankrate guide Bankrate

Milwaukee Home Down Payment Assistance Program city.milwaukee.gov

City of Madison’s Home-Buy the American Dream Program City of Madison, WI+1

HOME Consortium DPA in Waukesha / Ozaukee / Jefferson / Washington Counties washcowisco.gov

Downpayment Plus® Program in Wisconsin NeighborWorks Blackhawk Region+1

Wisconsin HHR / Rehab and DPA Program (statewide) energyandhousing.wi.gov

Western Dairyland DPA - local assistance in certain counties westerndairyland.org

For first-time buyers, disabilities, or buy+rehab situations. energyandhousing.wi.gov +1

Primary residence requirement & occupancy period You must live in the home as your primary residence, often for 5 years or more to fully forgive the assistance. washcowisco.gov +2movin-out.org +2

Home price limits & location restrictions The home must often fall under a maximum purchase price. Some programs only apply in certain counties or cities. washcowisco.gov +2westerndairyland.org +2

Start with a WHEDA-approved lender WHEDA programs (Easy Close, Capital Access) require you to use a participating lender. wheda.com +1