Down payment help in four sizes
Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA) loans can come with down payment help, in four sizes.
$25,000 is the most down payment help THDA lists, for new or proposed construction. As of 10-28-2026.
Down payment help, by option
Four sizes of down payment help, side by side. The larger amounts are loans or need a new build; the two smaller ones are forgivable. As of 10-28-2026.
Show the same facts as a list
| Option | The most it offers | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| Forgivable, up to $6,000 | $6,000 | A forgivable 0% second mortgage over 10 years; due if the home is sold or refinanced earlier. |
| Forgivable, up to $10,000 | $10,000 | A forgivable 0% second mortgage over 10 years; due if the home is sold or refinanced earlier. |
| 5% of the price, up to $15,000 | $15,000 | A 30-year loan paid down over time at the same rate as the first mortgage. |
| New or proposed construction, up to $25,000 | $25,000 | A 15-year 0% loan. |
What it is
Down payment help is money toward the cash a buyer brings to closing. It comes with a THDA loan, so it is not a separate gift you apply for alone.
Which size may apply
The size depends on the loan and the home. A new build can reach the largest amount. The two smaller amounts are forgivable; the others are loans. A lender can tell you which one fits your case.
A class comes with it
Help that comes with Great Choice Plus asks for a THDA-approved homebuyer course. See the homebuyer class page for what that means.
What to do next
Take the short quiz below, then ask a THDA-approved lender. Nothing here is a loan offer.
What this rests on
Each line below was read at thda.org on the date shown.
- Down payment help of up to $6,000 or up to $10,000 is a forgivable 0% second mortgage over 10 years. It is due if the home is sold or refinanced earlier. As of 10-28-2026.
- Down payment help of 5% of the price, up to $15,000, is a 30-year loan that is paid down over time at the same rate as the first mortgage. As of 10-28-2026.
- Down payment help of up to $25,000 is available for new or proposed construction, as a 15-year 0% loan. As of 10-28-2026.
- Great Choice Plus and Homeownership Heroes need a THDA-approved homebuyer course. As of 10-28-2026.
What this page holds back
Any figure marked "As of" was checked at thda.org on that day. The price limit, the county income limits and other amounts are not printed here until a person has checked them. They change, and they depend on your county and household.
Limits vary by county and change. Ask a THDA-approved lender. THDA's own limits page.
Check where you stand
Which down payment option fits?
Four taps to see which kind of down payment help may be worth asking about. 4 questions, about 2 minutes
- Cash-to-close gap (3 questions, about 2 minutes)
Last checked 10-28-2026 · Source: THDA's down payment help page