First-time Home Buyer Assistance Programs in Missouri and Kansas

In today’s economy, a little help goes a long way. So if you’ve been wondering “Are there any first-time homebuyer assistance programs available for me?”, the answer is yes. That’s why we’re breaking down what’s available in the way of first-time home buyer assistance programs in Missouri and Kansas.

🐯 Missouri Home Buyer Assistance Programs

Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) Programs

• First Place: Offers below-market interest rates on FHA/VA/USDA/Fannie loans, plus up to 4% of your loan amount in cash assistance for down payment or closing costs. The assistance is forgivable after 10 years if it’s your primary residence (mhdc.com).
• Next Step: Similar down payment assistance for buyers who don’t meet First Place income limits, offered as a repayable loan (reddit.com).
• Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC): Federal tax credit (~25% of interest paid, up to $2,000/year) available through MHDC. Can be paired with their loan programs (mhdc.com).

Local City/County Programs

• Lee’s Summit: Zero-interest grant up to $3,000 for down payment or closing costs (realtyhop.com).
• Joplin: Forgivable loans ranging from $1,000 to $30,000 (for five or ten years) (realtyhop.com).
• Columbia: $5,000–$10,000 forgivable loan over ten years (realtyhop.com).
• Jefferson City: $5,000 zero-interest loan—first-come, first-served (blog.newhomesource.com).
• O’Fallon: $10,000 zero-interest forgivable loan over five years (blog.newhomesource.com).
• Springfield: $5,000 deferred, zero-interest loan for income-qualified buyers (blog.newhomesource.com).
• St. Charles County & St. Louis: $5,000–$10,000 forgivable assistance, often forgivable after 5–10 years, along with IDA savings matches (blog.newhomesource.com).

🌻 Kansas Home Buyer Assistance Programs

Statewide Programs (via Kansas Housing Resources Corporation, KHRC)

• First-Time Homebuyer Program: Zero-interest loan covering 15%–20% of purchase price (15% for incomes 51–80% AMI, 20% for ≤50% AMI). Forgivable after 10 years (kshousingcorp.org).
• KansasDPA (Sedgwick & Shawnee Co.): Grant up to ~5% of loan amount for down payment/closing costs (bankrate.com).
• FHLBank Topeka Set-aside: Grants from $2,500 to $15,000 for down payment/closing/repairs; forgiven after five years (bankrate.com).

City and County Level

• Topeka (TOTO): Up to $5,000 for down payment + $30,000 for repairs (bankrate.com).
• Leavenworth: Up to $8,000 grant (bankrate.com).
• Wichita HOMEownership 80: Local down payment & closing cost help (bankrate.com).
• Hutchinson: $2,000 closing cost grant for first‑time buyers (reddit.com) (also confirmed via local news) and further supported .

Additional Resources

• Kansas “First-Time Home Buyer Savings Account”: Tax-advantaged savings account ($3,000 individual, $6,000 joint up to $50,000) (bankrate.com).
• USDA Rural Development Loans: Zero-down options in qualifying rural areas (downpaymentpath.com).
• Mortgage Credit Certificate (MCC): Federal tax credit via KHRC (downpaymentpath.com).

✅ Recommendations

1. Start with state-level assistance:
   • In Missouri, contact MHDC-certified lenders to explore First Place, Next Step, and the MCC option.
   • In Kansas, connect with participating lenders through KHRC for the First-Time Homebuyer Program, KansasDPA, MCC, or local city options.
2. Explore local programs in your desired city or county—especially in major areas like Columbia, Springfield, Wichita, and Topeka.
3. Pair assistance programs strategically:
   • Use forgivable loans/grants for down payment.
   • Add MCC for annual tax credit.
   • Consider USDA or FHA loans if you qualify.
4. Get housing counseling (HUD-approved) — many programs require buyer education, and counselors can help you navigate eligibility and application (mhdc.com, bankrate.com, blog.newhomesource.com).

The best place to start is with your trusted real estate agent. A well-educated agent will have knowledge of local and state first-time home buyer assistance programs in Missouri and Kansas. They can help point you in the right direction!