Every Program, Side by Side

Down Payment Programs Overview

There is a lot of help out there for first-time buyers — almost too much to keep straight. This is the master list: every down payment program, savings tool and rebate in one place, with what you get, who qualifies, and which ones you can stack.

Back to the First-Time Buyers hub

Compare the programs at a glance

Each row links to a full guide. Think of this as your shortlist — scan for what fits, then dig into the details.

Program	What you get	Who it’s for	Type
Welcome Home Niagara	Forgivable loan up to 10% (max $66,774.80)	Niagara renters, income & asset limits	Down payment loan
DPAP (Hamilton)	Forgivable loan around 10% of price	Hamilton renters, income & asset limits	Down payment loan
First Home Savings Account	Up to $40,000 saved tax-free	First-time buyers (federal)	Tax-free savings
Home Buyers' Plan	Borrow up to $60,000 from your RRSP	First-time buyers (federal)	RRSP withdrawal
Land Transfer Tax refund	Up to $4,000 back at closing	First-time buyers (Ontario)	Tax refund
First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit	$1,500 federal tax credit	First-time buyers (federal)	Tax credit
Low down payment mortgage	Buy with as little as 5% down	Qualified buyers (insured)	Mortgage option
New-Home HST Rebate (2026)	Up to ~$130,000 on new builds	Buyers of newly built homes	Tax rebate

The smart way to stack them

The programs fall into four jobs, and a strong plan uses one from each:

1. Build the down payment — save tax-free in an FHSA and use the Home Buyers’ Plan.
2. Top it up — add a forgivable loan from Welcome Home Niagara or Hamilton’s DPAP.
3. Finance the rest — buy with a low-down-payment insured mortgage.
4. Recover costs — claim the land transfer tax refund and tax credit, plus the HST rebate on new builds.

Ready to put it into practice? Get pre-approved, then browse Niagara homes under $500K or set up new-listing alerts so the right home finds you.

Frequently asked questions

Which down payment program is best for a first-time buyer?

There is no single best program — the right choice depends on where you are buying, your income and your savings. Most buyers benefit most from combining several: a tax-free savings tool to build the down payment, a forgivable municipal loan to top it up, a low-down-payment insured mortgage, and tax refunds after closing.

Can I combine multiple programs?

In most cases, yes. Tax-free savings (FHSA, Home Buyers' Plan), forgivable loans (Welcome Home Niagara, DPAP), and tax refunds are generally compatible with an insured low-down-payment mortgage. The exact rules for how each source counts toward your down payment are confirmed by your lender and the program administrators.

Do all of these apply across the Niagara Region?

The federal tools (FHSA, Home Buyers' Plan, the tax credit) and the Ontario Land Transfer Tax refund apply anywhere in the province, including all of Niagara. Welcome Home Niagara applies to purchases within the Niagara Region, while Hamilton's DPAP applies to purchases within the City of Hamilton.

Where do I start?

Start by getting a mortgage pre-approval, since nearly every program requires one and several are first-come, first-served while funding lasts. From there, our team can help you map which programs you qualify for and build a plan.

This page is general information from Davids & DeLaat, REMAX Niagara Realty Ltd., and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Each program is administered by a different government or agency, and amounts, eligibility and the ability to combine programs can change. Confirm all details with the relevant administrators and a qualified professional before relying on them.

Talk to a local agent

Get a personalized first-home plan

Every buyer’s mix is different. Tell us your situation and we will map out the exact programs you qualify for and the order to use them in.

Prefer to talk it through? Call the team or send a message.

Explore other buyer resources

Keep planning your first purchase with these related guides and live Niagara searches.