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5 Programs to Help First Responders Buy a Home in Cross Creek West

Cross Creek West - 5 Programs to Help First Responders Buy a Home in Cross Creek West

January 15, 2026

Owning a home is a dream for many, but for first responders—police officers, firefighters, and EMTs—it’s a goal that can feel just out of reach. Thankfully, there are programs designed specifically to help our everyday heroes turn that dream into a reality. Whether you’re a firefighter, police officer, EMT, or paramedic, there are opportunities out there to make homeownership more attainable.

And if you’re thinking about purchasing a home in Cross Creek West, there is something else. Our Lead the Way incentive for first responders, LCISD staff, active military, and real estate agents, can net you a $5,000 gift if you are one of the first 40 eligible buyers in 2026. It’s just our way of saying thank you for all you do.

Homes for Texas Heroes

Homes for Texas Heroes is a program available through the Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation that helps first responders with home loans and down payment assistance.

To qualify, you’ll need to work as a police officer, firefighter or EMS personnel.

Why you’ll love it:

  • 30-year fixed-rate mortgage loan
  • Financial assistance totaling 3-5 percent of the loan amount to use for the down payment
  • Funds can be accepted as a grant that doesn’t have to be repaid or as a forgivable second lien loan, which only must be repaid if the home is sold or refinanced within three years.
  • First-time home buyers who receive funding from the Homes for Texas Heroes program may also apply for a Mortgage Credit Certificate that allows you to get 15 percent of that year’s mortgage interest back as a tax credit, reducing the amount of federal income taxes you pay every year.

You can take a quiz to find out if you’re eligible for assistance and find a loan officer to help you apply for assistance. You don’t have to be a first-time home buyer to be eligible.

FirefighterMortgages.com

This program specializes in helping first responders purchase and refinance their homes with exclusive mortgage benefits.

To qualify, you must be a:

  • Career or volunteer firefighter
  • Police officer (federal, state or local law enforcement) or sheriff’s deputy
  • Emergency medical technician (EMT)
  • Paramedic
  • 911 dispatcher
  • Correctional officer
  • Some healthcare workers (depending on program)

Why you’ll love it:

  • Lower interest rates than traditional loans for qualified borrowers
  • Down payment assistance and grants
  • Reduced lender fees and closing costs
  • No private mortgage insurance (PMI) in some cases and for qualified first responder borrowers
  • Easier qualification with flexible underwriting

Home Sweet Texas Home Loan Program

This program is designed to help low- and moderate-income Texans purchase homes with financial support.

To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

  • A minimum credit score of 620
  • Meet income limits
  • Completion of an approved homebuyer education course

Why you’ll love it:

  • Up to 5 percent of the loan amount for down payment assistance
  • Available for both first-time and repeat home buyers
  • Can be combined with a Mortgage Credit Certificate for additional savings

Take the eligibility quiz online and find an approved lender nearby to walk you through applying for assistance.

SETH 5 STAR Program

The Southeast Texas Housing Finance Corporation’s SETH 5 STAR Program helps buyers across the state secure down payment assistance.

To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

  • Meet income limits
  • Have at least a 640 credit score
  • Complete a home buyer education course

Why you’ll love it:

  • Up to 5 percent in down payment assistance
  • Forgiveness after three years, as long as you stay in the home
  • Available as a deferred-payment loan if forgiveness terms aren’t met

The SETH 5 STAR Program is available statewide, but the home must not be located in Travis County or the cities of El Paso, Grand Prairie or McKinney.

My First Texas Home

To qualify, you must meet the following criteria:

  • A first-time home buyer or have not bought a new home in the past three years.
  • Have a minimum credit score of 620
  • Meet income and property value limits
  • Have been approved for a mortgage with a qualifying lender

Why you’ll love it:

  • 30-year, low-interest rate mortgage
  • Assistance of up to 5 percent of the loan amount to be used for the down payment.
  • Funds can be accepted as a loan that’s forgiven after three years or as a 30-year, 0 percent interest second lien that’s paid when the home is sold.

Find Your New Home Today

Start your search for a new home in Cross Creek West by Johnson Development . We look forward to welcoming you to our community!