Oregon First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) currently lists 2 programs for Oregon buyers, with down payment help up to $60,000 through OHCS Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program. Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.
Oregon first-time buyer programs open now
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 2 down payment or closing-cost assistance programs. First-time and/or first-generation homebuyer at or below 100% of area median income (AMI); required for OHCS's statewide Down Payment Assistance program and Veteran DPA set-aside.
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OHCS Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program source | Program | Up to $60,000 or 20% of the purchase price, whichever is less, depending on the specific awarded organization's program | Yes | n/a | At or below 100% of area median income (AMI) |
| OHCS Flex Lending Down Payment Assistance source | Second mortgage | Can cover up to 100% of the borrower's cash requirements at closing, including down payment, closing costs, pre-paid items, and upfront mortgage insurance | Check | n/a | See program page |
- OHCS Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program. Terms: Administered by locally awarded nonprofit/government organizations; funds may be provided as a grant or a forgivable second lien depending on the specific program Homebuyer education: required Where: statewide (funds distributed to local partner organizations by county; contact the organization serving your area) Program page
- OHCS Flex Lending Down Payment Assistance. Terms: Second lien paired with an OHCS Flex Lending fixed-rate first mortgage; the second lien can be either forgivable (no payments, no interest) or amortizing depending on the specific Flex product. Full terms of each specific second-lien option were not detailed on the fetched pages. Must pair with: OHCS Flex Lending first mortgage Program page
City and county programs in Oregon
Local governments run their own down payment funds on top of the state programs. These can be combined with a state loan in most cases; each has its own income limit and area.
- City of Portland: Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL). $80,000 to $100,000, depending on funding source and location of the home. Deferred second loan. Income limit: At or below 100% of Portland's current Area Median Income (AMI), adjusted for family size;. First-time buyers only. Official page
How little you can put down
You do not need 20% down. Conventional loans go as low as 3% (through programs like Fannie Mae HomeReady and Freddie Mac Home Possible), FHA loans start at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can require nothing down. On Oregon's median-priced home (about $508,100), 3% down is roughly $15,243. Putting 20% down lets you skip private mortgage insurance, but most first-time buyers put down far less.
Who counts as a first-time buyer
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years, so many repeat buyers qualify again. Oregon programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with Oregon Housing and Community Services.
Other ways to save in Oregon
Buyer commission rebates are not available to most buyers in Oregon, so beyond Oregon Housing and Community Services assistance, your best levers are comparing lenders on rate and fees, shopping title and settlement services, and asking the seller for a closing-cost concession. See our Oregon closing-costs guide for the full picture.
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Oregon?
Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS) lists 2 programs: OHCS Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program, OHCS Flex Lending Down Payment Assistance. Down payment help runs up to $60,000. City of Portland also run local down payment programs.
How much down payment assistance can you get in Oregon?
Up to $60,000 through OHCS Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program (program). Other Oregon programs offer different amounts; see the table on this page for each one.
Do you have to be a first-time buyer to qualify in Oregon?
First-time and/or first-generation homebuyer at or below 100% of area median income (AMI); required for OHCS's statewide Down Payment Assistance program and Veteran DPA set-aside. First-time-buyer requirements for the Flex Lending first-mortgage products were not stated on the fetched pages.
How much down payment do you need in Oregon?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On Oregon's median-priced home (about $508,100), 3% is roughly $15,243. You do not need 20% down, though 20% lets you avoid mortgage insurance.
Who counts as a first-time home buyer?
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years. Some Oregon programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with Oregon Housing and Community Services.
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in Oregon?
Oregon does not permit buyer commission rebates, so first-time buyers here should focus on Oregon Housing and Community Services assistance programs and negotiating the buyer's-agent commission instead.
Official sources
- Oregon Housing and Community Services (OHCS)
- Oregon Housing and Community Services: Homebuyers & Homeowners
- Portland Housing Bureau: Down Payment Assistance Loan Program
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: down payment options and how to prepare
Oregon program details last verified against Oregon Housing and Community Services on September 11, 2026.
Read the full guide to the cash you need to buy →
This is general information, not financial advice. Program details, limits, and loan terms change; confirm the current rules with Oregon Housing and Community Services and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states