Charleston Down Payment Assistance (SC Housing)
Charleston has grown into one of the priciest markets in the Southeast, so SC Housing's down payment help matters here. Forgivable assistance, plus a program for first-generation buyers, can get you in. Here is how it works across the Lowcountry.
How SC Housing works in Charleston
Charleston prices have climbed fast, and SC Housing helps buyers keep up. The state offers two main paths. The SC Housing Homebuyer Program pairs a first mortgage, FHA, VA, USDA, or conventional, with forgivable down payment assistance, a second you do not repay as long as you stay in the home. Palmetto Home Advantage is a more flexible option with percentage-based DPA that can reach more buyers, including repeat buyers. On top of both, a First-Generation Homebuyer Program adds help for buyers whose parents never owned. A 640 credit score qualifies. Because the exact amounts and county limits change, we confirm your current figures with SC Housing before you shop.
Buying across the Charleston region
The tri-county region gives buyers a wider map than the peninsula suggests. In Charleston County, North Charleston and the areas toward the airport and Hanahan carry the most homes within reach. Berkeley County, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, and the Cane Bay growth corridor, and Dorchester County, Summerville and Ladson, hold much of the region’s newer, more affordable construction. Joint Base Charleston anchors a large military community, which makes the VA-loan pairing common here.
Joint Base Charleston and the VA pairing
Charleston’s military presence shapes the market. For active-duty service members and veterans, pairing a VA loan with SC Housing is a strong move: the VA loan needs no down payment, so the assistance can go toward closing costs. And through Palmetto Home Advantage, veterans who have owned before can still qualify. See how the pairing works on our DPA + VA page.
SC Housing sets income and sales-price limits by county (with a targeted / non-targeted map) and publishes the current down payment assistance amounts on the SC Housing. Confirm your county figures before relying on one. See our eligibility page.
Common questions
What down payment assistance is available in Charleston?
SC Housing offers forgivable down payment assistance through the SC Housing Homebuyer Program, a percentage-based option through Palmetto Home Advantage, and extra help for first-generation buyers through the First-Generation Homebuyer Program. A 640 credit score qualifies; confirm current amounts at SC Housing.
Is Charleston down payment assistance forgivable?
The SC Housing Homebuyer Program's down payment assistance is forgivable, a second mortgage you do not repay as long as you stay in the home. Palmetto Home Advantage terms vary. Confirm the current amounts and forgiveness rules with SC Housing.
Can repeat buyers get down payment assistance in Charleston?
Yes, through Palmetto Home Advantage, which has more flexible eligibility than the first-time SC Housing Homebuyer Program. A 640 credit score is required.
Ready to see your options?
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