Chicago Just Launched a New Down Payment Assistance Program: What You Need To Know

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A new city program could put homeownership within reach for you.

Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Department of Housing recently announced the HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program, a new initiative offering eligible homebuyers up to $70,000 in grant funding to help with down payments and closing costs. Applications open June 8, 2026.

If you have been waiting, saving or wondering whether homeownership is realistic, this program may be worth exploring.

What is the HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program?

The HomeGrown Purchase Assistance Program was created to help eligible buyers overcome one of the biggest barriers to homeownership: the upfront cost of buying a home.

The program provides grant assistance, not a traditional loan, to help cover down payment and closing costs. Grant amounts are based on the buyer’s income and where the home is located.

The program is funded with $21 million from Mayor Johnson’s $1.25 billion Housing and Economic Development Bond and is designed to support low- to moderate-income buyers who want to purchase a home in Chicago.

How much assistance is available?

Eligible buyers may receive up to $70,000 in assistance.

The exact amount depends on two things:

  1. Your household income, based on Area Median Income, also known as AMI
  2. The location of the property you want to purchase

The program divides eligible properties into two zones.

Zone A

Zone A includes areas that have experienced significant increases in home sale prices. A map of the zone areas can be found here.

Eligible buyers purchasing in Zone A may receive:

Income Level Grant Amount
80% AMI and below $70,000
81–90% AMI $60,000
91–100% AMI $50,000
101–120% AMI $40,000

Zone B

Zone B includes low-income census tract areas where 70% or more of families earn below 80% of the statewide median family income. A map of the zone areas can be found here.

Eligible buyers purchasing in Zone B may receive:

Income Level Grant Amount
80% AMI and below $50,000
81–90% AMI $40,000
91–100% AMI $30,000
101–120% AMI $20,000
121–150% AMI $10,000

Grant funds may not exceed 25% of the property’s purchase price before any other purchase assistance is applied.

Who is eligible?

To qualify for the HomeGrown Program, buyers must meet several requirements.

Eligible buyers must:

  • Meet income and mortgage requirements based on their AMI level
  • Complete a homebuyer education counseling program
  • Contribute at least 1% of the original purchase price from their own personal funds
  • Purchase a property in a designated Zone A or Zone B area
  • Live in the home as their primary residence for at least five years

That last requirement is important. This program is intended for buyers who want to put down roots in Chicago. It is not designed for investors or short-term owners.

Why this program matters

For many potential buyers, the monthly mortgage payment is not the only challenge. The biggest hurdle is often the upfront cost.

Saving for a down payment and closing costs can be difficult, especially while rents, everyday expenses and home prices continue to rise. Some buyers may be financially ready to manage homeownership long term, but still need help getting through the initial cost of purchasing a home.

Homeownership can provide stability, help build equity and create long-term financial opportunity. For many families, it is also one of the most meaningful ways to invest in their future and their community.

The HomeGrown Program is designed to help more Chicagoans take that step.

How to apply

Applications open June 8, 2026.

Buyers can apply through either program administrator:

For general program information, visit www.chicago.gov/homegrown or call 312-744-3653.

Thinking about buying a home in Chicago?

If you have been wondering whether homeownership is possible, this may be a good time to revisit your options.

A REALTOR® can help you understand the buying process, identify homes that may fit your needs and connect you with trusted professionals as you explore whether this program could work for you.

Before you apply, consider taking these next steps:

  • Review the program requirements
  • Check whether your income may fall within the eligible range
  • Start or complete a homebuyer education counseling program
  • Talk with a lender about what you may be able to afford
  • Connect with a REALTOR® who understands the Chicago market

Programs like HomeGrown make the path to ownership more realistic for buyers who are ready to take the next step.

For questions about the program, visit www.chicago.gov/homegrown or call 312-744-3653.

Couple moving couch

10 Things To Do When You Move Into a New Home

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Congratulations! You’ve bought a new home. Move in, get comfortable and check off the items on this list for your personal security and preparedness. 

  1. If you haven’t already, set up your utilities. Call your water, electric, gas, sewer and garbage companies to start your services. 
  2. Update your address of important documents, like your driver’s license, credit card, banks and subscriptions, to name just a few, and make sure your mail is being forwarded from your old address to your new home.
  3. Change all of your locks. Call a locksmith out to get new locks in place. You never know who could have access to a spare of the original locks. Also, consider whether a security system is necessary for you and your family.
  4. Reset codes, like garage openers and gates. Similar to locks, you don’t know where a code might be floating around or who might have access to them. 
  5. Test fire and carbon monoxide detectors or install ones if there aren’t any. Make sure the batteries are fresh and ready to go. 
  6. Change your air filters to ensure better airflow and lower your home’s energy usage. Also, make sure to change your air filter every three months.
  7. Get a fire extinguisher for your kitchen and each floor of your home. Better safe than sorry! 
  8. Find your circuit box and label each breaker, so you’re not guessing if a problem comes up. 
  9. Find gas and water shut-off valves in case of a gas leak or a pipe breaks so you can handle the problem right away. 
  10. Check that everything on your inspection report was addressed. If they weren’t, reach out to your REALTOR® to let them know.

Then, get comfortable, set up your new space and have piece of mind knowing your new space is ready for you!

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5 Home Renovations That Add Home Value

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Not all home projects are created equal, and some add more value to your home than others. Here are the top value adding home renovations to pay for upfront, for more payoff down the line. 

Kitchen Renovations

According to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) Remodeling Impact Survey, not only are kitchen remodels the most appealing projects to buyers, but they are also the most likely to add value to the home for resale.

In fact, this report states there is a 59% ROI on this project.

Basement Updates

Are you looking to gain more functionality for your home and family? Renovating your basement into a living area may be the best option for you. This project will improve your joy while you live in the home, and will have pay off when you sell it.

This may be a more costly renovation according to NAR’s Remodeling Impact Survey. The report states there is a 64% ROI on this project.

Wood Flooring 

The flooring may be one surface that gets worn out the fastest from foot traffic, dirt, scratching and more. It may also be one of the best features to upgrade in your home, as it tends to pay for itself! 

According to NAR’s Remodeling Impact Survey, 106% of the value of this project is recovered when the home is sold. Even if you’re not looking to fully replace your flooring, the report states this project will provide a 100% ROI to your bottom line. It’s a win-win! 

Bathroom 

If you have a two to three-bedroom home and only two bathrooms, adding an additional half bathroom is great to consider. Going from two bedrooms to two and a half bathrooms will add 10.5% in value to your home. 

While you’re living in your home, adding an extra bathroom may add peace of mind that surpasses the money you’ll spend on the bathroom itself by avoiding arguments and stress caused by sharing bathroom time. 

New Roofing 

Putting a new roof on your home is a money saver in multiple ways. Not only is the ROI high on this project, up to 109%, but you will also save on your energy bill too. A new roof will reduce cooling costs, add curb appeal, protect again home damage like water and much more!

smoke detector

16 Helpful Inspection Report Questions For Buyers

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Congratulations, your offer has been accepted! You now have entered the attorney review period. Typically, a home inspection is scheduled within five days of the accepted offer. An inspection report is an inspector’s documented recommendations and observations of the property’s potential need for repairs. Remember, your inspector’s job is to find any reasonably discoverable issues in your home.

While inspections are not mandatory, we highly recommend utilizing this affordable resource so you can continue through the buying process as informed as possible. The inspection report can be intimidating! We put together prompts to help you feel empowered to ask everyone on your “team” actionable questions.

Questions you should ask your REALTOR®:

  1. Do you have any reputable inspectors you would recommend?
  2. What are three things you advise I look out for in particular?
  3. Will you be able to attend the inspection with me?
  4. What are common issues or challenges to see in this property type?
  5. In your opinion, what are the most important repairs I should focus on or prioritize?
  6. [in the case of a short-sale] When should we schedule the appraisal?

Questions you should ask your inspector:

  1. What do you check and what don’t you check?
  2. How soon after the inspection will I receive the inspection report?
  3. Are you available for follow-up calls if I have questions about the report?
  4. Are there any issues of note on the seller’s property disclosure statement?

Questions you should ask your attorney:

  1. From the seller’s perspective, what requests are they likely to push back on and what are they likely to consider?
  2. How many requests is too many?
  3. Should I ask for a credit or should I ask for a warranty?

Questions you should ask yourself:

  1. How much repair am I comfortable taking on myself?
  2. What are my priorities?
  3. What items am I willing to give up on during the negotiation?

In the end, the inspection report is another tool in your homebuying toolbelt. If you’re feeling anxious, your REALTOR® is always available to provide perspective and experience.