It’s certainly possible to receive assistance with your down payment. Some employers offer down payment assistance in their benefits package, so checking with your workplace is a great place to start. You can also look to government and philanthropic institutions: In addition to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), many state housing finance authorities, city and county governments, and non-profits offer financial assistance – often in the form of grants, or forgivable zero-interest loans.  A number of such programs are geared towards first-time homebuyers and involve income limits, though these aren’t necessarily as low as you might think.