As of November 9, 2026, these buyer assistance programs usable in Chicago are still taking buyers through their lenders or administrators: HomeGrown (high volume), IHDA’s five programs (all marked “limited funds remain”), Cook County’s program (limited, Wintrust Mortgage only), FHLBank Chicago’s Downpayment Plus (until 2026 funds run out or the last business day of December), BNAH and TaxSmart; CHA’s down payment assistance is closed.
Last reviewed November 9, 2026 · Chicago First Time Home Buyer editorial team · We re-check every program on this page each week; next check on or about November 16, 2026.
This page tracks one thing: whether each program is accepting buyers right now, in the program’s own words. For how much each program could give you, use the Chicago down payment assistance calculator; for full rules, see the program pages linked below and the Chicago first-time home buyer programs overview.
At a glance: program status on November 9, 2026
| Program (who runs it) | Status, as the source states it | Help offered | How you apply | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HomeGrown (City of Chicago, administered by Neighborhood Lending Services and TRP Lending) | Open, high volume: NHS reports “a significant volume of applications” and says applicants may be waitlisted if funds run out; TRP says applications “are currently under review” | Grant of up to $70,000 (Zone A) or $50,000 (Zone B), no more than 25% of the price; amounts fall as income rises; forgiven monthly over 5 years | Apply with one administrator (NLS or TRP), not both | [1], [2] |
| IHDA Opening Doors (Illinois Housing Development Authority) | Active, “limited funds remain” | $9,000, forgivable over 5 years | IHDA-approved lender | [3] |
| IHDAccess Home (IHDA) | Active, “limited funds remain” | 6% up to $15,000, deferred loan (30-year term); first-time or exempt buyers | IHDA-approved lender | [3], [4] |
| IHDAccess Forgivable (IHDA) | Active, “limited funds remain” | 4% up to $6,000, forgivable over 10 years | IHDA-approved lender | [3] |
| IHDAccess Deferred (IHDA) | Active, “limited funds remain” | 5% up to $7,500, deferred loan (30-year term) | IHDA-approved lender | [3] |
| IHDAccess Repayable (IHDA) | Active, “limited funds remain” | 10% up to $10,000, repayable over 10 years | IHDA-approved lender | [3] |
| Cook County Down Payment Assistance (Cook County, with program partner Club 720) | Limited: re-opened July 20, 2026; Club 720 says the Land Home channel is “fully committed” and lists “limited availability through Wintrust Mortgage” | 5% of the first loan, up to $25,000, forgiven after 5 years | Through Wintrust Mortgage, the lender Club 720 lists | [5], [6] |
| Downpayment Plus (FHLBank Chicago) | Open “while funds remain,” first come, first served; 2026 program ends when funds are fully reserved, the lender reaches its member limit, or on the last business day of December, whichever comes first | Lesser of $10,000 or 25% of the first mortgage, forgiven over 5 years; household income up to 80% of area median | Participating FHLBank Chicago member lender | [7], [8] |
| BNAH (City of Chicago Department of Housing) | Online application available; no open/closed status stated | Up to $100,000 toward a new home built on City land; income up to 140% of area median; 10-year occupancy | BNAH application to the Department of Housing | [9] |
| TaxSmart (City of Chicago Department of Housing) | City page says it is accepting lender applications for its Series 2022 program | Federal tax credit of 25% of yearly mortgage interest, up to $2,000 a year | Participating lender, at mortgage application (not after closing) | [10] |
| CHA Choose to Own (Chicago Housing Authority) | Running: orientations scheduled through December 29, 2026 | Voucher help toward the monthly mortgage (not a down payment grant); CHA voucher holders and public housing residents only | Attend a CHA orientation | [11] |
| CHA Down Payment Assistance | Closed: CHA says all funds for the year were exhausted as of October 2, 2025 and the program “is currently closed” | Not available | None right now | [12] |
What does “open” mean for a down payment program?
For most of these programs you never apply to the agency directly. Your lender reserves the money for you once you have a signed contract, so “open” means a lender can still place a reservation today. IHDA, for example, says there is no separate review or application with IHDA Mortgage; the approved lender handles it [4]. FHLBank Chicago member lenders reserve Downpayment Plus funds the same way, first come, first served [7]. HomeGrown is the exception: you apply with one of its two administrators [1], [2].
That is why a program can be “active” and still run out between the day you get pre-approved and the day you go under contract. When a page says “limited funds remain,” ask your lender to confirm funding before you count on the money.
Which programs are close to running out?
- Cook County: one of its two lender channels is fully committed, and Club 720 lists only limited availability through Wintrust Mortgage [6]. Our October 2026 Cook County down payment assistance update has the background.
- IHDA: all five programs carry IHDA’s “limited funds remain” label [3]. They share the same base rules: a 640 minimum credit score, a debt-to-income ratio up to 50%, and a contribution of the greater of $1,000 or 1% of the price [4]. See Illinois first-time home buyer programs.
- HomeGrown: NHS reports heavy demand and a possible waitlist [1].
- Downpayment Plus: the 2026 program guide (updated October 2026) says funds are available until they are fully reserved, and no later than the last business day of December [8]. FHLBank Chicago’s July 28, 2026 release said it added $17 million, for $48 million in 2026 [13]. The release does not mention a 2027 program.
Can I combine these programs?
Sometimes. NHS says HomeGrown can be combined with other down payment assistance, but not with bond-funded programs, which it says include IHDA’s assistance and TaxSmart [1]. TRP Lending’s lender letter adds that HomeGrown cannot be layered with other City of Chicago down payment assistance programs [14]. Each program also has its own income limit (for example, HomeGrown goes up to 120% of area median income in Zone A and 150% in Zone B [1], Downpayment Plus up to 80% [7], and BNAH up to 140% [9]), so a buyer may qualify for one and not another. The HomeGrown vs. IHDAccess Home comparison walks through the two most common choices.
What should I do before counting on a program?
- Ask each lender you talk to which of these programs it is approved for (IHDA, Downpayment Plus and Cook County all depend on the lender [4], [7], [6]).
- Finish homebuyer education early. HomeGrown requires 6 to 8 hours with a HUD-approved agency and does not accept self-paced online courses [1]; see where to take homebuyer education in Chicago.
- Have a backup plan in your budget in case funds run out before closing. The Chicago first-time home buyer checklist shows where this fits.
Common questions
Is HomeGrown still taking applications in November 2026?
Yes, but with heavy demand. NHS Chicago says it has received a significant volume of applications and that applicants may be placed on a waitlist if funds run out, and The Resurrection Project says applications are under review [1], [2].
Is Cook County down payment assistance still available?
Only in a limited way. The County says the program re-opened July 20, 2026 [5], and its program partner, Club 720, says one lender channel is fully committed and lists limited availability through Wintrust Mortgage [6].
When does FHLBank Chicago’s Downpayment Plus end for 2026?
When the 2026 funds are fully reserved, or on the last business day of December, whichever comes first, according to the program guide updated October 2026 [8]. FHLBank Chicago’s July 2026 release does not mention a 2027 program.
Does the Chicago Housing Authority offer down payment help right now?
Not its down payment assistance program, which CHA lists as closed [12]. CHA’s Choose to Own program, which helps voucher holders and public housing residents with monthly mortgage payments, is holding orientations through December 29, 2026 [11].
Sources
- Neighborhood Housing Services of Chicago, HomeGrown (page modified July 6, 2026; opened Nov 9, 2026).
- The Resurrection Project, HomeGrown (opened Nov 9, 2026).
- IHDA Mortgage, Program Directory (opened Nov 9, 2026).
- IHDA Mortgage, Homebuyer Center, and IHDA, Lending Programs (opened Nov 9, 2026).
- Cook County, Down Payment Assistance Program (opened Nov 9, 2026).
- Club 720, Cook County Down Payment Assistance (page modified Aug 17, 2026; opened Nov 9, 2026).
- FHLBank Chicago, Downpayment Plus Program (opened Nov 9, 2026).
- FHLBank Chicago, Downpayment Plus Program Guide (updated October 2026) (opened Nov 9, 2026).
- City of Chicago Department of Housing, Building Neighborhoods and Affordable Homes Program (opened Nov 9, 2026).
- City of Chicago Department of Housing, TaxSmart (opened Nov 9, 2026).
- Chicago Housing Authority, Choose to Own (opened Nov 9, 2026).
- Chicago Housing Authority, Down Payment Assistance (opened Nov 9, 2026).
- FHLBank Chicago, FHLBank Chicago Adds Additional $17 Million to 2026 Downpayment Plus Programs, Bringing Total Funding to $48 Million (July 28, 2026) (opened Nov 9, 2026).
- TRP Lending, HomeGrown Lender Requirements and Program FAQ (opened Nov 9, 2026).
Cite this page: Chicago First Time Home Buyer, “Which Chicago Home Buyer Assistance Programs Are Open Right Now?”, chicagofirsttimehomebuyer.com/programs/open-now/, last reviewed November 9, 2026.