St. Louis is among the most affordable big-city markets in the country, and its flagship program, HomeSTL, offers first-time buyers a forgivable loan of up to $50,000 — a large amount relative to local prices.
This guide focuses on what first-time buyers in St. Louis specifically can tap in 2026 — the local programs run by the city and county, the statewide help you can layer on top, and what it realistically takes to buy here.
St. Louis’s own first-time buyer programs
St. Louis-area help depends on whether you buy in the city or the surrounding county:
- HomeSTL Homebuyer Assistance Program — from the St. Louis Development Corporation, a 0%-interest forgivable loan of up to $50,000 (usable for down payment, closing costs, a rate buydown, or principal reduction) for buyers at or below 80% of area median income within the City of St. Louis, with extra help in HUD Qualified Census Tracts
- Beyond Housing Down Payment Assistance — a 0%-interest, 5-year forgivable loan of roughly $7,000–$10,000 — but for St. Louis County and named suburbs, NOT the City of St. Louis
- Justine PETERSEN — a nonprofit offering HUD-approved counseling, credit building, matched-savings accounts, and small forgivable home-repair funds that connect buyers to down payment programs
These local programs are the piece most buyers miss, because they are run by the city or county rather than a lender — and they can often be combined with the statewide programs below.
Statewide programs you can also use in St. Louis
On top of St. Louis’s local help, every Missouri buyer can access the state’s housing finance programs — below-market loans, down payment assistance, and a possible tax credit. We cover them in full in our guide to Missouri first-time home buyer programs, and the wider local picture in our Missouri first-time home buyer guide. In many cases you can stack a city program with a state program to cover most or all of your cash to close — a lender who works with both can structure it.
What it takes to buy in St. Louis
The City of St. Louis’s median sale price is roughly $237,000 — among the most affordable big-city markets in the U.S. With HomeSTL providing up to $50,000, an eligible buyer in the city can cover the entire down payment and closing costs, especially in a Qualified Census Tract. Pair it with Missouri’s statewide MHDC programs for even more.
Before you shop, pin down your budget. Our home affordability guide walks through how income, debt, and rates set your price range, and our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of the process on track.
Loan options for St. Louis buyers
Most St. Louis first-time buyers use one of a few loan types, each of which can pair with the assistance above:
- FHA loans — 3.5% down with flexible credit, popular with first-time buyers
- Conventional loans — as little as 3% down, with reduced mortgage insurance through housing-agency versions
- VA and USDA loans — zero down for eligible veterans and in qualifying areas
- Down payment assistance — the programs above that layer on top (see our down payment assistance guide)
How to buy your first home in St. Louis
- Check your budget and credit first — see our guide to credit score requirements.
- Complete a homebuyer education course — nearly every St. Louis program requires one, and it is usually free.
- Find a lender who works with both St. Louis and Missouri programs, and ask them to run the local and state options together.
- Get pre-approved, then line up your assistance before you make an offer.
One note: local and state program funding and terms change, and some rounds close when the money runs out. Always confirm current amounts and availability with the program administrator before counting on a figure.
St. Louis first-time buyer FAQ
What down payment help is available in St. Louis?
Inside the City of St. Louis, the flagship is HomeSTL, a 0% forgivable loan of up to $50,000 for buyers at or below 80% of area median income. In St. Louis County and named suburbs (but not the city), Beyond Housing offers roughly $7,000–$10,000. Justine Petersen provides counseling and credit-building. Missouri’s statewide MHDC First Place and Next Step programs apply too.
Can I combine St. Louis city programs with Missouri state programs?
Often yes. City or county assistance is usually designed to layer on top of a first mortgage, and many buyers stack it with a Missouri state program to cover most of their down payment and closing costs. A lender who participates in both can confirm what combines. See our Missouri programs guide for the statewide options.
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to qualify in St. Louis?
HomeSTL and Beyond Housing generally require first-time buyer status (no ownership in the prior three years), though Beyond Housing waives it in a few municipalities. Both require HUD-approved homebuyer education (Beyond Housing and Justine Petersen also require one-on-one counseling). HomeSTL homes must be in the City of St. Louis. Confirm current terms and the forgiveness period with the administrator.
Does Beyond Housing serve the City of St. Louis?
No — this is a common point of confusion. Beyond Housing’s down payment assistance (roughly $7,000–$10,000) serves St. Louis County, Jefferson and St. Charles Counties, and municipalities like O’Fallon and Florissant — but NOT the City of St. Louis itself. If you are buying inside the city, the program to use is HomeSTL (up to $50,000). Match the program to where the home actually is, and a local counselor can confirm which applies.