The Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP) provides financial assistance to help eligible households purchase a home within the City of Dallas.

Eligible participants may receive:

• Down payment assistance
• Closing cost assistance
• In some cases, additional support based on need

Typical assistance amounts:

• Up to $50,000
• Up to $60,000 in High Opportunity Areas

View the DHAP Program Brochure

Vea el DHAP Folleto informativo

Submitting an intake information does not guarantee funding. Assistance is subject to eligibility review and availability of funds.

For more information on Eligibility Requirements please visit the DHAP Program Manual

This program is designed for homebuyers who are already working with a lender and are ready to move forward with purchasing a home. If you’re still completing these steps, we encourage you to come back once you’re ready.

Step 1: Check Your Readiness with our Readiness Check

Step 2: Complete Intake Application (only if ready)

Step 3: Submit your intake & Complete your Eligibility Session (EDS)

Step 4: Home Review (Home must pass inspection and environmental review).

Step 5: Close on your home (If approved, your assistance is applied at closing).

**You must be working with, be pre-approved by a DHAP Approved Lender and have a purchase contract to move forward. Please see DHAP List of Approved Lenders

The readiness quiz is not an application and does not reserve funds.

To move forward with the program, you must

• Your income must fall within program limits based on your household size.
• Are purchasing a home within Dallas city limits
• Are approved by a DHAP lender. Please see our DHAP List of Approved Lenders
• Have an executed purchase contract for a property
• Be ready to submit all required documents for your household. See DHAP Document Checklist
• Have Homebuyer Education Certificate from a DHAP Provider. See DHAP Homebuyer Education Providers

Final eligibility is determined after full review of your application, documents, and property.

The Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP) uses household income limits to determine eligibility.

This section is designed to help you estimate if you may qualify before applying.

Step 1: Count your household size Include everyone who will live in the home (not just who is on the loan).

Step 2: Estimate your total annual household income Include income from all sources:

-Employment (all jobs) -Self-employment -Social Security, retirement, or benefits -Child support, alimony (if applicable)

Step 3: Compare your income and Household Size in the chart below

Questions? **Contact us at dhap@bcloftexas.org** or

call our DHAP Program Phone # (214) 919-1866

Homebuyer FAQs

1. How much assistance can I receive through DHAP? The amount of assistance depends on the DHAP program you qualify for, your financial need, the property location, and available funding. Traditional DHAP may provide up to $60,000 for homes located in a High Opportunity Area and up to $50,000 in other eligible areas of Dallas. DHAP 10 may provide up to $50,000. Not every homebuyer will qualify for the maximum amount.

2. How long does it take to review my application? BCL generally completes an initial review of submitted applications within 24–48 hours. If information or documents are missing, additional time may be needed. Once your application is complete, BCL will work with you to schedule your Eligibility Determination Session. Overall processing time can vary depending on the homebuyer, lender, property, City reviews, and how quickly requested documents are provided.

3. Does submitting an application mean I am approved for DHAP? No. Submitting an application does not guarantee eligibility, approval, or funding. Your household, income, assets, mortgage financing, property, and other program requirements must be reviewed before final approval can be issued. Funding is also subject to availability.

4. How will I know if my application is complete? BCL will review your application and documents for completeness. If something is missing, we will contact you and let you know what is still needed. Once the required information has been received, your application can move to the next step.

5. Why am I being asked for additional documents? DHAP requires BCL to verify information such as household size, income, assets, employment, mortgage financing, and other eligibility requirements. Sometimes additional documents or clarification are needed to complete that verification. Being asked for another document does not necessarily mean there is a problem with your application.

6. What is an Eligibility Determination Session (EDS)? The Eligibility Determination Session, or EDS, is a one-on-one review with BCL to confirm your household, income, assets, and other DHAP eligibility requirements. During the EDS, we review your information, address any outstanding questions, and explain what happens next in the DHAP process. Completing an EDS does not mean you have received final approval or guaranteed funding but is a necessary step in the process.

7. What happens after my EDS appointment? After your EDS, BCL will complete the eligibility review and let you know the next steps. If you meet the initial eligibility requirements, your file may move forward for additional program review, including lender documentation, property review, underwriting, and funding approval. Additional information may still be requested during the process.

8. What if I miss my EDS appointment? Please contact BCL as soon as possible if you cannot attend your scheduled appointment. You may need to reschedule your EDS before your application can continue moving forward. Missing an appointment may delay your application.

9. Does the home I purchase have to meet certain DHAP requirements? Yes. The home must be located within the City of Dallas and meet applicable DHAP property requirements. The property must also complete required City reviews and meet Minimum Housing Standards before closing. Other requirements may apply depending on the property and funding source.

10. What happens if the home I select does not pass the required property review? If the City of Dallas identifies required repairs or other property conditions, those items must be resolved before the property can receive final approval. Depending on the issue, the seller may be able to complete required repairs. In some situations, you may need to select another eligible property.

11. Can I use DHAP with another down payment assistance program? Possibly. Other assistance must be disclosed to BCL and your mortgage lender and reviewed before closing. Because other programs may also require a lien or have their own requirements, BCL must determine whether the programs can be used together for your specific transaction.

12. Can DHAP connect me with a Realtor if I do not already have one? BCL cannot select a Realtor for you, but we can provide information and resources to help you connect with real estate professionals familiar with the DHAP process. You are always free to select the licensed real estate professional of your choice.

Realtor & Lender FAQs

1. Can a Realtor or lender apply for DHAP on behalf of a homebuyer? No. The homebuyer must complete their own DHAP readiness and application process and provide the required household and financial information. Realtors and lenders can help their clients understand the process, gather documents, meet transaction deadlines, and coordinate with BCL.

2. Does a lender have to be approved to participate in DHAP? Yes. Homebuyers using DHAP must obtain their first mortgage through a DHAP-approved lender. The mortgage product must also meet applicable DHAP requirements. Please see our DHAP List of Approved Lenders

3. How can I confirm whether my lending institution is currently approved for DHAP? Please review BCL’s current list of participating DHAP lenders. If your institution previously participated in DHAP but is not included on the current list, please contact BCL for information about completing the lender certification or recertification process.

4. Will Realtors and lenders receive updates about the homebuyer’s application? Once the homebuyer has moved far enough into the process and BCL has the appropriate transaction contacts, Realtors and lenders may be included in communications related to the property, mortgage, documentation, and closing. Certain household or financial information may only be discussed directly with the applicant.

5. When should Realtors and lenders be included in the DHAP process? As early as possible. Early coordination helps BCL, the homebuyer, lender, and Realtor identify program requirements, property considerations, required documentation, and potential timeline issues before closing.

6. How much time should be allowed for a DHAP-assisted closing?DHAP-assisted transactions require additional program, lender, property, and City reviews before closing. Realtors and lenders should allow sufficient time in the contract and avoid setting an aggressive closing date before required reviews are complete. Contact BCL early in the transaction so we can help identify the steps that must be completed before closing.

7. What can Realtors and lenders do to help avoid delays? The best way to avoid delays is to involve BCL early and submit complete and accurate information. Realtors and lenders should respond quickly to requests, make sure BCL is aware of important contract deadlines, provide required lender and property documents, and immediately communicate any changes to the buyer, loan, property, sales contract, or proposed closing date.

8. When is DHAP funding availability and final assistance confirmed? Funding is not guaranteed when a homebuyer completes the Readiness Check, submits an application, or completes an EDS. Final assistance depends on eligibility, underwriting, lender documentation, property approval, available program funds, and completion of all applicable DHAP requirements. Homebuyers, Realtors, and lenders should not consider DHAP funds committed until BCL provides the applicable approval or funding confirmation.