Hamilton First-Time Buyer Help

Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP) — Hamilton

If your first home is in Hamilton rather than Niagara, the City of Hamilton runs its own down payment help. DPAP gives eligible first-time buyers a forgivable loan of roughly 10% of the purchase price — here is how it works and who qualifies.

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What DPAP offers Hamilton first-time buyers

Hamilton sits right next door to the Niagara Region and is a popular choice for first-time buyers who want a bigger city with strong job and transit access. The City of Hamilton’s Down Payment Assistance Program (DPAP) exists for the same reason as its Niagara counterpart: to help renters who can carry a mortgage but cannot quite save the down payment. It provides a forgivable, interest-free loan worth about 10% of the purchase price, which you put toward your down payment at closing.

Because the loan is forgiven over time while the home remains your principal residence, most buyers who stay put never repay it. That can turn a years-away goal into a this-year reality.

Who qualifies?

The City sets the exact thresholds, but eligibility generally comes down to these points:

You are a first-time homebuyer who currently rents
Your household income falls under the City of Hamilton's program limit
Your household assets are below the program threshold
The home will be your principal residence within Hamilton's boundaries
The purchase price is at or below the program's maximum

View the City of Hamilton program page

Niagara or Hamilton? Compare your options

Many of our buyers shop both markets before deciding. If you are leaning toward Niagara, the Welcome Home Niagara program is the equivalent down payment help there. Either way, DPAP and Welcome Home Niagara can often be combined with federal tools like the FHSA and Home Buyers’ Plan; our down payment programs overview shows how the pieces fit. When you are ready to shop, browse homes under $500K or set up new-listing alerts.

Frequently asked questions

What is Hamilton's Down Payment Assistance Program?

DPAP is a City of Hamilton program that gives eligible first-time buyers a forgivable, interest-free loan toward their down payment — generally worth about 10% of the purchase price. The loan is forgiven over time as long as the home stays your principal residence, so it does not have to be repaid if you meet the conditions.

How much assistance can I receive?

The assistance is typically calculated as roughly 10% of the home's purchase price, up to the City's maximum, and is delivered as a forgivable loan. Exact amounts and price caps are set by the City of Hamilton and can change, so confirm the current figures on the official program page.

Do I have to pay the loan back?

Not if you meet the conditions. The loan is interest-free and forgiven over a set period as long as the home remains your principal residence. If you sell or move out early, repayment terms apply — often including a portion of any increase in the home's value.

How is DPAP different from Welcome Home Niagara?

They are two separate municipal programs for two different areas. Welcome Home Niagara serves buyers purchasing in the Niagara Region, while DPAP serves buyers purchasing in the City of Hamilton. The structure is similar — a forgivable down payment loan — but the income limits, price caps and application processes are set by each municipality.

Can Davids & DeLaat help me apply?

We are real estate agents, not the program administrator — the City of Hamilton runs DPAP. We help eligible buyers understand the rules, get connected to a lender for pre-approval, and find Hamilton homes that fit the program's price cap.

This page is general information from Davids & DeLaat, REMAX Niagara Realty Ltd. It is not legal or financial advice and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the City of Hamilton. Program amounts, income limits and rules are set by the City and may change — confirm all details on the official program page before applying.

Talk to a local agent

Thinking about buying in Hamilton?

Tell us about your situation and we will help you check DPAP eligibility, connect with a lender for pre-approval, and find Hamilton homes inside the program’s price cap.

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.