Buying a home may require less cash than you think. North Dakota buyers may have access to grants, forgivable loans, closing-cost assistance, shared-equity programs, and mortgages requiring little or no down payment.

However, down payment assistance is not always free money. Some programs create a second lien, require you to remain in the home for a specified number of years, restrict future resale proceeds, or require repayment if you sell or refinance early.

The programs below are the major homebuyer-assistance options available in North Dakota as of July 2026. Funding, income limits, interest rates, property requirements, and program availability can change without notice. Private lender, employer, nonprofit, and limited-time promotions may also be available.

> Important: Do not rely on assistance funds until your lender and the program administrator have confirmed your eligibility and reserved the funds.

Where Bismarck-Mandan Buyers Should Start

Most buyers in Bismarck, Mandan, Lincoln, Burleigh County, and Morton County should ask a participating mortgage lender to compare:

* North Dakota Housing Finance Agency Start

* North Dakota Housing Finance Agency Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance

* Federal Home Loan Bank Home$tart

* Native American Homeownership Initiative, when eligible

* USDA rural financing, when the property qualifies

* VA financing, when the buyer qualifies

* FHA financing

* Fannie Mae HomeReady

* Freddie Mac Home Possible

* Freddie Mac HomeOne

Statewide North Dakota Programs

NDHFA Start

The [North Dakota Housing Finance Agency Start program](https://www.ndhousing.nd.gov/homeownership) provides assistance equal to 3% of the first mortgage amount.

The funds may be used toward:

* Down payment

* Buyer closing costs

* Prepaid property taxes and homeowners insurance

* Other eligible prepaid expenses

Start can be paired with an eligible NDHFA mortgage program. It is generally designed for households that do not qualify for the more income-restricted DCA program.

Start assistance is structured as a second lien. Under current program rules, the balance is gradually forgiven and is fully forgiven after 96 scheduled mortgage payments. Selling, refinancing, or transferring the home earlier may trigger repayment of the remaining prorated balance.

Start cannot be combined with another down payment assistance program.

Eligible properties are generally limited to one- or two-unit owner-occupied homes.

NDHFA Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance

The [NDHFA Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance program](https://www.ndhousing.nd.gov/dca), commonly called DCA, also provides assistance equal to 3% of the first mortgage amount.

Funds may be used for:

* Down payment

* Closing costs

* Prepaid taxes and insurance

* Other eligible prepaid expenses

DCA has lower household-income limits than Start. Limits vary by county and household size. Homebuyer education must be completed before closing.

Like Start, DCA is structured as a second lien with forgiveness tied to making 96 scheduled mortgage payments. An unpaid prorated balance may become due if the home is sold, refinanced, or transferred before that period ends.

DCA cannot be combined with another down payment assistance program.

Check the [current NDHFA income and purchase-price limits](https://www.ndhousing.nd.gov/income-and-purchase-price-limits) before applying.

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NDHFA FirstHome

FirstHome is an NDHFA mortgage program for eligible first-time buyers.

A first-time buyer generally means someone who has not owned and occupied a principal residence during the previous three years. Certain exceptions may apply.

FirstHome may be paired with Start or DCA when the buyer meets the applicable requirements.

NDHFA HomeAccess

HomeAccess is designed for qualifying households that include one or more of the following:

* A single parent with a dependent child

* An eligible veteran

* A household member age 65 or older

* A household member with a permanent disability

A buyer does not necessarily have to be a first-time homeowner to qualify.

North Dakota Roots

North Dakota Roots is an NDHFA mortgage option without the standard household-income and purchase-price limits imposed by FirstHome and HomeAccess.

Roots may be useful for repeat buyers or households exceeding other NDHFA program limits. It may be paired with Start when all Start requirements are met.

Basic NDHFA Requirements

Although requirements vary by program, NDHFA borrowers generally must:

* Occupy the property as their primary residence

* Use an approved participating lender

* Meet credit and mortgage-underwriting requirements

* Contribute at least $500 of their own funds

* Complete homebuyer education when required

* Purchase an eligible property in North Dakota