A note on timingPalmetto Heroes is closed for 2026 and no 2027 dates are announced. The year-round SC Housing Homebuyer Program still offers $10,000 in forgivable down payment help.Review my eligibility
Spartanburg, SC
Down payment assistance in Spartanburg, SC
The City of Spartanburg's homebuyer program is open now through CommunityWorks, while the two Northside neighborhood programs are out of money for the moment.
The City of Spartanburg Homebuyer Assistance Program is the one to start with. It uses CDBG and HOME funds to lend up to $20,000 at 0%, forgiven over as long as 20 years depending on the amount. It's for first-time buyers (or no home in 3 years) at or below 80% AMI, and buyers between 80% and 100% AMI may qualify on certain properties. Price limits are $237,000 for existing homes and $273,000 for new construction. You'll need a pre-approved fixed-rate mortgage of 20 to 40 years, at least $500 of your own money, a third-party inspection and the $325 fee, and the home has to fall inside the City's eligible areas map.
What happened to the Northside programs?
Northside Development Group runs two programs for the Northside neighborhood: a general homebuyer program for buyers up to 200% AMI, and a Local Heroes track for teachers, police, firefighters, first responders and nonprofit staff. Spartanburg School District 7 employees qualify with no income limit. Both offer up to $20,000 at or below 80% AMI and up to $10,000 from 80% to 200%. As of November 2026 the CommunityWorks page says funds are unavailable, so both are closed. They're worth watching if you work for District 7.
Healthcare workers within 15 miles of a Spartanburg Regional campus can also check that employer program. Statewide, Spartanburg is a Made It Home! city with up to $25,000 on certain new builder homes, which doesn't stack with SC Housing's standard $10,000. Spartanburg County uses the $95,800 / $110,170 limits and the 3-year first-time rule. Compare everything in the Spartanburg County guide.
First-time buyers (or no home in 3 years) at or below 80% AMI (80-100% AMI may qualify on certain properties)
Assistance
Up to $20,000
Form of help
Forgivable second loan
Income ceiling
80% AMI (Fox Carolina estimated ~$60,000 for a family of 4 in Feb 2025)
Price ceiling
$237,000 existing; $273,000 new construction
First-time buyers only?
Yes
Further conditions
Pre-approved fixed-rate 20-40 year mortgage; $500 minimum buyer investment; third-party inspection; payment ~35% of income; eligible areas map; $325 fee
0% subordinate loan forgiven over up to 20 years depending on amount, secured by restrictive covenant. City page: https://www.cityofspartanburg.org/213/Homeowner-Resources
Northside Development Group Spartanburg Homebuyer Assistance
Not open at present
Northside neighborhood, City of Spartanburg
Intended for
First-time buyers <=200% AMI; Spartanburg District 7 employees (no income limit); 'Local Heroes' <=200% AMI (teachers, first responders, police, firefighters, nonprofit employees)
Assistance
Up to $20,000 (<=80% AMI); up to $10,000 (80-200% AMI)
Form of help
Forgivable second loan
Income ceiling
Up to 200% AMI
First-time buyers only?
No
Further conditions
Fixed-rate mortgage; approved homebuyer education; payment ~35% of income; Northside neighborhood only
Page says 'Funds for this program are currently unavailable. Please check back for updates.' Worth a 'notify me' since it explicitly names teachers and first responders.
Buyers in Spartanburg may also turn to 5 statewide programs, Palmetto Heroes among them. You will find each one in the complete South Carolina list, or our program match can sort them for you.
Nearly every assistance program asks you to complete a homebuyer class before closing. The HUD-approved agencies below, each within reach of Spartanburg County, teach that class or offer counseling before purchase.
Agency
Location
Miles away
Offered
Languages
How it is taught
Regenesis Community Development Corporation F/K/A Upstate Housing Partnership
Taken from HUD’s list of housing counseling agencies. A given program may not accept every class.
Unsure which class will count? A loan officer who offers South Carolina programs can tell you, and can begin your pre-approval at the same time. Begin my eligibility review
Questions about Spartanburg
Is Northside Development Group's assistance available now?
No. CommunityWorks says funds for both Northside programs are currently unavailable. The City of Spartanburg program is open in the meantime.
Do District 7 employees have an income limit?
Not under the Northside programs, which name Spartanburg School District 7 employees with no income limit. Those programs are paused right now.
How long until the City loan is forgiven?
Up to 20 years, depending on how much you receive. It's a 0% subordinate loan secured by a restrictive covenant.
Thank you. Your name is on the list.
We will write when it reopens. Would you like to see what you may qualify for in the meantime?
Good day, I'm Amy. See if you're eligible for down payment assistance in South Carolina. The review is six short questions, and I would be glad to start you on the right one.
