Program Overview

Harris County’s Single-Family Housing Development Program (SFHDP) is committed to creating and preserving affordable housing and fostering a suitable living environment for low- and moderate-income residents of Harris County. The SFHDP supports this mission by increasing the supply of safe, decent, and affordable housing for households that might otherwise be unable to achieve homeownership or maintain stable housing following a disaster.

As part of SFHDP, the Hurricane Beryl/Storm Derecho program aims to bridge the gap between a homebuyer’s mortgage lender approved loan amount and the home’s sales price. Assistance of up to 45% can be used as a price reduction, loan down payment and closing costs (which may cover mortgage rate buy downs).

Beryl/Derecho Homebuyer Assistance Program
Pre-Application

Homebuyer Process

Eligibility Overview
To be eligible to participate in the Hurricane Beryl/Storm Derecho program, you must be able to meet the following requirements:

Current Texas ID/DL for any household member 18 or older
Households with incomes at or below 80% of the AMI
620 credit score or higher

Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Verifiable income (last two years of tax returns)
Have valid prequalification letter from a mortgage lender

Must attend and complete an 8-hour, HUD-certified Homebuyer Class. The certificate is good for one year after taking the class. See documents in the Additional Resources tab or click the link below for our homebuyer class partners offering classes year-round. (Applicant and Co-Applicant must each receive a certificate of completion). HUD-Certified Homebuyer Course Partners.

HARRIS COUNTY: 2026 Median Family Income (MFI) Limits Effective May 2026

INCOME LEVELS	HOUSEHOLD SIZE
INCOME LEVELS	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
(80%) Income Limits	58,250	66,600	74,900	83,200	89,900	96,550	103,200	109,850

Reference: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

*Household income limits are subject to annual changes

Home Affordability Determination

Homebuyers will pay no more than 39% of their income toward housing costs, these include:

Mortgage principal and interest
Private mortgage insurance
Property Taxes
Homeowner's insurance
HOA fees

Homebuyers will pay no more than 42% of their incomes toward housing costs and other debt, which may include:

Car Payments
Revolving loans (credit card monthly payments)
Student Loans
Child Support & Other Obligations
Other Loans

Additional Notes:

Homebuyers must be current on child support payments
After closing, homebuyers must live in and maintain the home for an affordability period of 10 years following their purchase. If they move out before the affordability period is up, they will be required to pay back a prorated amount of the assistance provided.

beryl / derecho

homebuyer
assistance program

Program Overview

Homebuyer Process

Home Affordability Determination

beryl / derecho

homebuyer assistance program

Program Overview

Homebuyer Process

Home Affordability Determination

homebuyer
assistance program