Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance

The Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program provides financial assistance to eligible first-time homebuyers who are interested in purchasing an existing or newly constructed home in the City of Pittsburgh.

Types of Loans and Repayment Options

• First-time homeowners making less than 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) can receive up to $7,500 for down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a 0% interest, 5-year deferred loan.*
  
  
• First-time homeowners making between 80% and 115% of the AMI can receive up to $5,000 for down payment and closing cost assistance in the form of a 0% interest, 10-year deferred loan.*
  
  
• No payments are made during the term of the loan if residency requirements are met.
  
  

*Please refer to the chart below to check your income eligibility.

Eligibility / Requirements

• The homebuyer’s lender must complete the application. The lender will submit the application to the URA on the homebuyer's behalf.
  
  
• The homebuyer must not have any outstanding County, City, and School real estate taxes. Evidence of a payment plan for at least six months is acceptable.
  
  
• The homebuyer must be purchasing a home as their primary residence and have their name on the deed.
  
  
• The homebuyer’s annual gross household income may not exceed 115% of the AMI.
  
  
• The homebuyer must not have over $20,000 in liquid assets after the closing.
  
  
• The homebuyer must complete a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) certified First-Time Homebuyer Course administered by a HUD-certified counselor.
  
  
• The URA must receive the application at least 21 business days prior to the desired closing date.
  
  
• The homebuyer is required to pay a closing fee equal to 2% of their URA loan amount, at the time of the loan closing.

Eligible Properties

• A permanent structure used primarily for year-round residential use. If the property to be improved is vacant, the borrower must certify in writing prior to closing his/her intent to occupy the property within 30 days upon work completion.
  
  
• Each property may contain up to two connected dwelling units (i.e., duplex, townhouse), one of which must be owner-occupied.

Program Materials

Download Program Summary

Download Program Guidelines

View 2025 HUD Approved Housing Counseling Agencies

Download Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance Application

How to Apply

If you're a home buyer, we ask that you work with your lender to submit the application. Download the application by clicking below and send your completed application to:

ATTN: Housing Support Department
Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
412 Boulevard of the Allies, Suite 901
Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Download Application

Language translation and interpretation is available free of charge. Please send an email to translation@ura.org.

Read Homebuyer Stories

• Noah Rectenwald, 100th Recipient of the DPCCAP, Has Positive Experience Buying Home
  
  
• Celestin Uwintonze Improved Credit and Bought a Home with the Help of HOF
  
  
• Susan Smith Credits Housing Assistance as Life-Changing
  
  

• HOF Celebrates One of First Participants in the Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program