Dallas–Fort Worth · Texas

Dallas first-time home buyer programs,stacked and explained.

Dallas now runs DHAP through BCL of Texas, with assistance reaching $60,000 for some qualifying buyers in target areas. Most Dallas buyers never hear the program exists until after they've already signed.

See what you qualify for →Full Dallas County guide

Median price: ~$390,000 (illustrative)
AMI cap: ≤ 80%
Top DPA tier: Up to $60,000
MCC credit: Up to $2,000/yr

The Dallas stack

Programs most Dallas buyers never hear about.

Dallas first-time buyers can layer the Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP) with TSAHC, TDHCA, and the federal MCC tax credit.

1
Dallas Homebuyer Assistance Program (DHAP) — administered by BCL of Texas (effective May 2026), this is the City of Dallas's primary DPA program for first-time buyers at or below 80% AMI. Award sizes vary by AMI tier; some buyers may qualify for $60,000+ in DPA in target census tracts.
2
Dallas County Upfront Cost Assistance Program (UPCAP) — for properties outside Dallas city limits.
3
TSAHC Home Sweet Texas Home Loan — DPA for buyers under income limits, available statewide.
4
TDHCA My First Texas Home / My Choice Texas Home — stackable DPA for first-time and repeat buyers.
5
MCC — annual federal tax credit up to $2,000 for the life of the loan.

Most Dallas buyers stack at least three of these. Take the eligibility quiz to see which apply to your situation.

Program status: DHAP is now administered by Business and Community Lenders of Texas (BCL). Confirm current award amounts, AMI tiers, and target census tracts directly with BCL or the City of Dallas before relying on a specific dollar figure.

Where buyers ask about

Common Dallas neighborhoods for first-time buyers

These neighborhoods come up most often from Dallas buyers using our calculators. Inclusion here is informational only and not a recommendation — eligibility for any program depends on the specific address and current funding.

Oak Cliff Bishop Arts East Dallas Lake Highlands Pleasant Grove South Dallas

Run the numbers

Free calculators for Dallas buyers

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Free PDF · 32 pages

Dallas Home Buyer Playbook

A free PDF covering every Dallas program — city DPA, county assistance, TSAHC, TDHCA, MCC — plus the stacking order most agents miss.

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