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Down Payment Assistance

Down Payment Assistance in Wisconsin: The Downpayment Plus (DPP) Grant

Up to $10,000 toward your down payment and closing costs, forgivable over five years. If you are buying in Dane County, John Reuter helps you put it to work.

See if you qualify: 608-669-4226 All buyer loan programs

What is the Downpayment Plus (DPP) grant?

Downpayment Plus (DPP) is a forgivable grant of up to $10,000 from FHLBank Chicago that helps eligible Wisconsin buyers cover their down payment and closing costs. It is delivered through participating lenders and is forgiven over five years, so most buyers never repay a dollar of it.

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One of the biggest hurdles to buying a home is the cash needed up front. The Downpayment Plus program exists to shrink that hurdle. It is real money applied at closing, not a loan you carry, and for many Dane County buyers it is the difference between waiting and owning.

Up to $10,000
Forgivable grant toward down payment and closing costs, applied at closing

Who qualifies

DPP is designed for buyers who fall within program income limits, generally at or below 80% of the area median income for your county. A few things to know:

  • Income limits apply and are set by the program for your area.
  • It is delivered through a participating lender, so your loan needs to be with one of them.
  • Homebuyer education is typically required before closing.
  • It can pair with common loan types, including FHA, VA, USDA, and conventional, through a participating lender.

The simplest way to know where you stand is to have John connect you with a participating lender who can confirm your eligibility and current funding.

How the five-year forgiveness works

DPP is structured as a forgivable grant, not a second mortgage you repay monthly. Here is the plain-English version:

  • Stay in the home as your primary residence for five years and the full amount is forgiven.
  • No monthly payments during those five years.
  • If you sell or move before five years, only a prorated portion may be owed back.
  • Forgiveness is automatic over time. There is no separate paperwork to file each year.

How John helps you use it in Dane County

Integrity Homes is a real estate brokerage, not a lender, so John does not hand out the grant himself. What he does is make sure you never leave it on the table: he flags DPP early, connects you with a participating lender, and times the assistance to your purchase in Madison, Sun Prairie, Waunakee, DeForest, Verona, or Middleton so it lands exactly when you need it at closing. New to buying? Start with the First-Time Homebuyer Guide, and if a household member has a disability, look at Movin’ Out, which can stack right on top of this.

Find out if DPP fits your purchase

A quick conversation tells you whether you qualify and how much you could put toward your home.

Call or text 608-669-4226 See all buyer programs

Related programs & guides

Movin’ Out program ›Home buying help for buyers with a disability in the household. WHEDA loans ›Wisconsin’s first-time buyer loan and assistance programs. First-Time Homebuyer Guide ›The full Madison and Dane County buyer walkthrough. Madison first-time buyer programs ›A rundown of assistance programs for local buyers. What it costs to buy in Madison ›Down payment, closing costs, and the cash you actually need. All buyer loan programs ›FHA, VA, USDA, conventional, and more.

Downpayment Plus FAQ

Is the DPP grant really free money?
It is a forgivable grant, so as long as you keep the home as your primary residence for five years, you never repay it. That is what separates it from a loan.
How much is the Downpayment Plus grant?
Eligible buyers can receive up to $10,000 applied at closing toward down payment and closing costs. The exact amount depends on the current program and your participating lender.
Do I have to pay it back if I sell early?
If you sell or move out before the five-year mark, only a prorated portion may be due back. The longer you stay, the less is owed, and after five years nothing is.
Who is eligible for DPP in Wisconsin?
DPP is aimed at buyers within program income limits, generally at or below 80% of the area median income, using a participating lender, and usually completing homebuyer education. A participating lender confirms your specific eligibility.
How do I apply for Downpayment Plus?
You apply through a participating lender as part of your mortgage, not on your own. John connects Dane County buyers with lenders who offer DPP and helps time it with your purchase.
Can I use DPP with an FHA, VA, or conventional loan?
Yes. DPP can pair with common loan types through a participating lender, which makes it flexible for a lot of first-time and move-up buyers.

Downpayment Plus (DPP) is a program of FHLBank Chicago, delivered through participating member lenders. Grant amounts, income limits, and eligibility are set by the program, change over time, and depend on funding availability and lender participation. Confirm current terms with a participating lender. Integrity Homes is a real estate brokerage and does not originate loans or administer the grant. Source: FHLBank Chicago Downpayment Plus.

John Reuter
Integrity Homes · Madison & Dane County
Brokered by Real Broker, LLC
608-669-4226 · john@integrityhomeswi.com