Niagara First-Time Buyer Help
Welcome Home Niagara Homeownership Program
Eligible first-time buyers in the Niagara Region can receive an interest-free, forgivable down payment loan of up to 10% of a home’s price — to a maximum of $66,774.80. Here is how the program works, who qualifies, and how the Davids & DeLaat team can help you use it.
- Down payment loan
- Up to 10%
- Max $66,774.80 — interest-free
- Fully forgivable
- After 20 years
- Living in the home as your residence
- Max purchase price
- $667,748
- For homes within Niagara Region
What is the Welcome Home Niagara program?
The Welcome Home Niagara Homeownership Program is a down payment assistance program run by the Niagara Region. It helps eligible first-time buyers clear the biggest hurdle to ownership — the down payment — with an interest-free loan of up to 10% of the purchase price, to a maximum of $66,774.80.
Because the loan is interest-free and fully forgivable after you live in the home for 20 years, it can be the difference between renting indefinitely and owning in Niagara. Funding is limited and awarded first-come, first-served, so preparation and timing matter.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility is based on your buyer status, where you live, your household income, and your assets. The key criteria are:
- First-time homebuyerYou (and your spouse or partner) must not currently own a home anywhere, and generally must be buying your first home.
- Niagara renter householdYou must currently live in the Niagara Region and be renting — the program is built to move local renters into ownership.
- Household income limitGross annual household income must fall below the program threshold — usually somewhere around $95,000 to $113,000 depending on family size.
- Asset limitTotal household assets generally must be under $50,000, since the program targets households who cannot easily save a full down payment.
Income thresholds and asset limits are set by the Niagara Region and can change. Always confirm the current figures on the official program page before you rely on them.
Which homes qualify?
The home you buy must meet the program’s location, price and property-type rules:
- Located within the Niagara Region
- Maximum purchase price of $667,748
- Detached and semi-detached homes
- Townhomes
- Condominiums
Wondering which Niagara homes fall under the $667,748 cap? That is exactly where we help — browse Niagara homes under $500K to see options well inside the threshold, or browse all current listings and let us build you a shortlist of program-eligible homes.
How to apply
- 1Get a mortgage pre-approvalAn active pre-approval from a recognized lender is required before you apply. We can connect you with trusted local mortgage professionals.
- 2Confirm your eligibilityCheck the first-time buyer, residency, income and asset criteria against your own household. We will help you read the fine print.
- 3Apply while funding lastsFunding is limited and given out first-come, first-served, so a complete, on-time application matters. Applications go through the Niagara Region.
- 4Find your eligible homeShop within the price cap and property rules. This is where our team does the heavy lifting — matching you to homes that qualify.
How Davids & DeLaat help
We are Niagara real estate agents with REMAX Niagara Realty — we do not administer, approve or fund the Welcome Home Niagara program (that is the Niagara Region). What we do is help eligible buyers actually use it: understanding the rules, getting connected to lenders for the required pre-approval, and finding homes that fit the price cap and property requirements so your application has the best chance of success.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Welcome Home Niagara Homeownership Program?
It is a Niagara Region down payment assistance program that gives eligible first-time buyers an interest-free loan of up to 10% of a home's purchase price (to a maximum of $66,774.80) to help them buy in Niagara. The loan is fully forgivable once you have lived in the home for 20 years.
How much money can I get?
Up to 10% of the purchase price, capped at $66,774.80. The assistance is an interest-free, forgivable loan — if you live in the home as your principal residence for 20 years, you do not repay it.
Do I have to pay the loan back?
The loan is interest-free and fully forgivable after 20 years of living in the home. If you sell or move out before then, repayment terms apply (often including a share of any increase in the home's value), so understand the agreement before you sign.
Who is eligible?
Generally you must be a first-time buyer, currently renting in the Niagara Region, with gross household income below the program threshold (roughly $95,000–$113,000 depending on family size) and total household assets under about $50,000. Always confirm the current figures with the Niagara Region.
What homes qualify?
The home must be within the Niagara Region with a maximum purchase price of $667,748. Eligible property types include detached, semi-detached, townhomes and condominiums.
How do I apply?
Funding is limited and awarded first-come, first-served, and you must already have an active mortgage pre-approval before you apply. Applications and official guidelines are handled directly by the Niagara Region.
Can Davids & DeLaat help me use this program?
Yes. We are Niagara real estate agents — we do not administer or approve the government funding, but we help eligible buyers understand the rules, connect with lenders for pre-approval, and find homes that fit the program's price cap and property requirements.
This page is provided for general information by Davids & DeLaat, REMAX Niagara Realty Ltd. It is not legal or financial advice and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Niagara Region. Program amounts, income limits and rules are set by the Niagara Region and may change at any time — confirm all details on the official program page before applying.
Talk to a local agent
See if you qualify for Welcome Home Niagara
Tell us a bit about your situation and the Davids & DeLaat team will help you check eligibility, get pre-approved, and find program-eligible homes.
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.
- Full Down Payment Programs Overview — compare every program
- DPAP Hamilton — for buyers considering Hamilton instead
- Ontario New-Home HST Rebate 2026 guide
- Get pre-approved for a mortgage — the required first step
- Niagara homes under $500K — matches the 5% down threshold
- Newly built Niagara homes — candidates for the HST rebate
- Set up an automated buying agent — instant new-listing alerts
- Buying with Davids & DeLaat — how our team makes it easy