Illinois down payment help
with no income limits
Illinois’s DPA programs turn away buyers who earn above their income caps every day. HOPER doesn’t have income limits. Get up to $13,000 toward your FHA home purchase — no income test, no repayment, no second lien.
Available across Illinois including:
See If You Qualify for HOPER
Takes 60 seconds. No credit pull. We’ll call you within 5 minutes.
How much could you receive
on your Illinois home?
Enter your estimated purchase price and see your HOPER funds instantly.
* Maximum $13,000. Actual amount subject to program eligibility.
Every Illinois down payment program
— compared
IHDA income limits in the Chicago metro range from $95,000 to $125,000 depending on county and household size. Here is the full picture including what HOPER does differently.
| Program | Max Assistance | Income Limit | Repayment | Who Gets Left Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IHDA Access Forgivable | Up to 4% of price | Yes — income restricted | Yes — income capped | Forgivable after 10 yrs |
| IHDA Access Deferred | Up to 5% | Yes — income restricted | Yes — AMI restricted | Deferred second lien |
| City of Chicago DPA | Up to $14,999 | Yes — income restricted | Yes — 80% AMI | Forgivable |
| Cook County DPA | Varies | Yes — income restricted | Yes — income restricted | Second lien |
| ✦ HOPER via CloseReady | Up to $13,000 (3.5%) | No income limit | Never — $0 repayment | Nobody — all FHA buyers welcome |
HOPER is available across
all of Illinois
No geographic restrictions — if you are buying with an FHA loan anywhere in Illinois, you may qualify for HOPER.
Median FHA home price: $200,000–$420,000. Illinois buyers in this market can leverage HOPER funds to close the down payment gap without taking on additional debt or liens.
Median FHA home price: $260,000–$420,000. Illinois buyers in this market can leverage HOPER funds to close the down payment gap without taking on additional debt or liens.
Median FHA home price: $150,000–$280,000. Illinois buyers in this market can leverage HOPER funds to close the down payment gap without taking on additional debt or liens.
Median FHA home price: $130,000–$230,000. Illinois buyers in this market can leverage HOPER funds to close the down payment gap without taking on additional debt or liens.
Median FHA home price: $140,000–$260,000. Illinois buyers in this market can leverage HOPER funds to close the down payment gap without taking on additional debt or liens.
Median FHA home price: $100,000–$200,000. Illinois buyers in this market can leverage HOPER funds to close the down payment gap without taking on additional debt or liens.
Illinois Homebuyer Assistance in 2025
Illinois’s Chicago-Downstate Divide
Illinois has a stark housing divide between the Chicago metro — one of the nation’s largest and most expensive markets — and downstate Illinois, where homes remain among the most affordable in the Midwest. FHA buyers face very different challenges depending on which market they’re in.
IHDA’s Access programs are among the better-funded state DPA programs in the Midwest, but Chicago metro buyers above income limits — a growing share of the market — are left without options. HOPER fills that gap statewide.
How HOPER Works for Illinois FHA Buyers
HOPER provides up to 3.5% of the purchase price (maximum $13,000) as research participant compensation through Attainable Housing Advocates. There is no repayment requirement and no second lien placed on your Illinois home. Funds can be applied toward your down payment, closing costs, a rate buydown, or qualified debt payoff.
Illinois has a manufactured housing market particularly in rural downstate counties. HOPER supports FHA manufactured home loans statewide.
Illinois homebuyer questions
answered
Is there down payment assistance in Illinois with no income limit?
Yes. HOPER, available through CloseReady, has no income limits. Illinois’s state DPA programs have income caps — but HOPER is open to any FHA-eligible buyer in Illinois regardless of income.
How much down payment help can I get in Illinois?
Through HOPER, Illinois buyers can receive up to 3.5% of their purchase price with a maximum of $13,000. There are no income limits and no repayment required.
Is HOPER available statewide in Illinois?
Yes. HOPER is available statewide across Illinois with no geographic restrictions. All Illinois counties are eligible.
Do I have to repay HOPER funds in Illinois?
Never. HOPER funds are research compensation — not a loan. There is no repayment requirement and no second lien placed on your Illinois home.
Can I use HOPER if I earn too much for Illinois’s DPA programs?
Yes. HOPER has no income limit. If you have been turned away from Illinois DPA programs for earning too much, you may still qualify for HOPER.
Illinois buyers — your home is closer than you think.
Check your HOPER eligibility free. No income test. No credit pull. We call you in 5 minutes.
Check My Illinois Eligibility — Free →Available statewide across all Illinois counties