Housing

Help for first-time homebuyers

92 public statements from 2026 candidates · 1 related bill

§1The range of views

Why this matters: A down payment is often the biggest hurdle to buying a first home, and help for buyers can affect both who can afford one and what homes cost.

Drafted by AI, then checked for neutral wording in a separate AI review. It describes the question and the main positions, not any candidate's view. Facts link to their sources.

Whether the government should give first-time buyers money or tax credits toward a down payment.

  1. Large federal grants or tax credits for down payments, such as up to $25,000
  2. Smaller help aimed at lower-income first-time buyers
  3. No new government help with down payments

These options describe policies, not people. The order is not a ranking.

§2What candidates have said

Why this matters: Statements candidates made publicly, summarized in plain words with a link to where they said it. Candidates who haven't spoken publicly on this issue aren't listed.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

Large federal grants or tax credits for down payments, such as up to $25,000 (5)

  • Ro Khanna CA-17
    His campaign website says he would provide down payment help of up to $50,000 for first-time buyers under 40 and working families, and proposes that people who have worked seven years could buy a home with no down payment and a low-interest loan.1
  • Jimmy Gomez CA-34
    His campaign website says he is proposing legislation to build affordable starter homes and give first-time homebuyers up to $50,000 in down payment help.2
  • Robert People FL-15
    His affordability plan says he would support $25,000 in help with the down payment and closing costs for people buying their first home.3
  • Alani Bankhead MT Senate
    Her campaign website says she backs legislation to help people buy their first home, such as the Downpayment Toward Equity Act (up to $20,000) and the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act (up to $15,000).4
  • Annie Andrews SC Senate
    Her affordability plan supports a proposed $50,000 tax cut to help first-time homebuyers with their down payments.5

Smaller help aimed at lower-income first-time buyers (1)

  • Te Mayonna Brown FL-24
    Her campaign website says she supports shifting federal housing money out of rental subsidies that last a lifetime and into helping low-income families in the district buy a first home.6

Statements that don't match one option (86)

  • Andrew Sneed AL-5
    His campaign website lists expanding rental assistance, increasing affordable housing options and supporting first-time home buyers among his housing priorities.7
  • James "Rus" Russell, III AR-4
    His campaign website says rent payments should count when people apply for a mortgage, so that more people can buy homes.8
  • Mike McGuire CA-1
    His campaign website says he would push for major federal investment in affordable housing, help for first-time homebuyers, and renter tax credits and protections, and his rural plan calls for expanding federal assistance and loan programs for first-time homebuyers.9,10
  • Eric Jones CA-4
    His campaign website proposes zero-down, fixed-rate mortgages and a tax credit for first-time homebuyers, along with a goal of building 2 million homes a year.11,12
  • Michael Masuda CA-5
    His campaign website says he would strengthen rural programs for first-time home buyers and support targeted financing tools and tax relief.13
  • Lateefah Simon CA-12
    Her campaign website says she supports a plan announced by Kamala Harris as vice president to build 3 million homes, assist first-time home buyers and encourage local governments to remove barriers to construction.14
  • Melissa Hernandez CA-14
    Her campaign website says she would make it easier for first-time homebuyers to afford a down payment and get a home loan, and would provide incentives to build new housing and lower the cost of raw materials.15
  • Aisha Wahab CA-14
    Her campaign website says she would create a down-payment assistance program for first-time homebuyers, and lists among her State Senate accomplishments securing $300 million for down-payment assistance for first-time buyers.16,17
  • Ritesh Tandon CA-17
    His campaign website says he would support savings tools for first-time homebuyers, including lower taxes on savings accounts for a home purchase, and assistance programs for first-time buyers.18,19,20
  • Jimmy Panetta CA-19
    His campaign website says he wrote and supported legislation expanding federal tax credits to build more low- and middle-income housing and to support first-time homebuyers and renters.21,22
  • Angélica María Dueñas CA-29
    Her campaign website says she would provide financial help to first-time homebuyers, including with loans and down payments.23
  • Houston Brignano CA-36
    His campaign website calls for tax breaks for young people buying homes or starting companies.24
  • Cristian Morales CA-43
    His campaign website's platform calls for expanding opportunities for first-time homebuyers.25
  • Jim Desmond CA-48
    His campaign website's housing plan calls for expanding down-payment assistance and creating a fund to help local first-time buyers compete.26
  • Mike Levin CA-49
    His campaign website says he has supported a refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers and a home loan program with no down payment for first responders and educators.27
  • Adam Withrow CO Senate
    His campaign website says he supports stronger down payment assistance grants and more funding and awareness for the FHA first-time homebuyer program.28
  • Phil Weiser CO Governor
    His campaign website says he would expand down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers, especially essential workers such as teachers, nurses and first responders.29
  • Jahana Hayes CT-5
    Her campaign website says she supports legislation to help first-time homebuyers and to expand grants for people who want to buy a home.30
  • Michael "Dr. Mike" Katz DE Senate
    His campaign website says he would create targeted federal pathways, such as tax incentives, lending standards and construction support, for first-time homebuyers.31
  • Darren Soto FL-9
    His campaign website says he strongly supports the First-Time Homebuyer Program, VA loans and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.32
  • Tony D'Arrigo FL-13
    His campaign website says he would expand down payment assistance and create government-backed mortgages with interest capped at 5%.33,34
  • Mark Davis FL-16
    His policy platform says to expand first-time-homebuyer incentives and the supply of attainable starter homes without intentionally crashing existing home values.35
  • Kedner Maxime FL-20
    His campaign website says he would back responsible first-time-homebuyer assistance so that more families move from renting to owning.36,37
  • Oliver G. Gilbert III FL-24
    His campaign website says his HOME Act would expand FHA lending for first-time buyers and create a refundable federal tax credit toward the down payment and closing costs of first-time and low-to-moderate-income homebuyers.38
  • Eliott Rodriguez FL-27
    His campaign website lists among his priorities expanding incentives for workforce housing, first-time homeownership and construction near transit and employment centers.39
  • David Jolly FL Governor
    His campaign website says he would expand down-payment help for first-time buyers along with workforce and affordable housing construction.40
  • Ceretta Smith GA-12
    Her campaign website lists among her housing priorities paths to homeownership for first-time buyers.41
  • Jasmine Clark GA-13
    Her campaign website’s agenda lists making homeownership accessible for all among her priorities.42
  • Keisha Lance Bottoms GA Governor
    Her campaign website says she would expand down payment and renter assistance.43
  • Brenton Awa HI-2
    His campaign website proposes federal down payment assistance targeted toward first-time homebuyers in Hawaii.44,45
  • Ashley Hinson IA Senate
    Her campaign website says first-time homebuyers should be able to save tax-free for a down payment through the First Home Savings Opportunity Act.46
  • Josh Turek IA Senate
    His campaign website says that in the Iowa House he sponsored legislation to cut taxes for first-time homebuyers.47
  • Lindsay James IA-2
    Her campaign website says first-time home buyers should receive down payment assistance, and that red tape should be cut and tariffs on building materials rolled back so more homes can be built.48
  • Rob Sand IA Governor
    His campaign website says Iowa's down payment assistance for first-time buyers should be interest-free.49
  • Natalie M Fleming ID Senate
    Her American Homeownership Restoration Act proposal includes a $15,000 refundable federal tax credit for first-time buyers earning less than 140% of their area's median income and a federal match for state down payment help of up to $25,000 per household.50
  • Christian Maxwell IL-1
    Her issues page lists support for first-time buyers among her housing priorities, along with property-tax pressure relief and student debt-to-homeownership pathways.51
  • Tommy Hanson IL-5
    His campaign website lists helping first-time home purchasers buy their homes among his objectives.52
  • La Shawn K. Ford IL-7
    His campaign website says his housing plan would expand federal down payment and gap assistance for first-time homebuyers, prioritizing historically underserved and high-cost communities.53
  • Daniel Biss IL-9
    His campaign website says he will expand rental assistance and provide down-payment support for families shut out of homeownership.54
  • Lauren Underwood IL-14
    Her campaign website says she supports legislation to offer financial incentives and downpayment assistance to purchase homes.55
  • Juliana Stratton IL Senate
    Her campaign's affordability blueprint says she would fund down payment assistance for first-time home buyers with revenue from a tax penalty on hedge funds that buy single-family homes.56
  • Cynthia (Cinde) Wirth IN-6
    Her campaign website says incentives should be created for first-time home buyers and for people looking to move into homes that meet their changing needs.57
  • Brad A. Meyer IN-9
    His campaign website says he would expand pathways to homeownership through targeted first-time buyer support and increased housing supply, and strengthen federal loan programs so first-time buyers can compete.58
  • Adam Hamilton KS Senate
    His campaign website says he would create tax credits for first-time homebuyers and for firefighters, police officers and teachers buying a home.59
  • Charles Booker KY Senate
    His campaign website says he would propose first-time buyer credits for down payments for young and first-generation homebuyers.60
  • John "Drew" Williams KY-1
    His campaign website proposes a federal guarantee covering standard closing costs for qualified first-time homebuyers and a fixed reduction in mortgage rates for first-time buyers.61
  • Zach Dembo KY-6
    His campaign website says it supports expanding first-time homebuyer programs like the VA loan program to public servants such as teachers, nurses and first responders.62
  • Lauren Jewett LA-1
    Her campaign website says she will expand access to first-time homebuyer assistance programs, down payment support and low-interest FHA loans.63
  • Lisa Ballay LA-2
    Her campaign website lists a plan to make it easier for working people to buy their first home.64
  • Tia LeBrun LA-3
    Her campaign website's Policy Plans page lists expanding down-payment assistance programs for first-time homebuyers among its housing goals.65
  • Gordon Heslop LA-4
    His campaign website says he has a plan to provide first homes for thousands of people in the 4th District for under $1,000 per month, using a small deposit that is returned and skip-payment months, at no cost to the government.66
  • Rasheed Nicholas Walters MA-8
    His campaign website says he will work to reform SBA and federal mortgage lending so first-time buyers get better terms than institutional investors buying multiple properties.67
  • Dan Cox MD Governor
    His campaign website says he plans a home affordability program that would consider down payment assistance and tax credits for first-time and young homebuyers and cut building and permitting costs.68
  • John "Johnny O" Olszewski, Jr. MD-2
    His campaign website says he supports tax incentives for first-time homebuyers and expanded access to small-dollar mortgages.69
  • Adrian Boafo MD-5
    His campaign website says he would help first-time buyers become homeowners with down payment assistance, enforcement of fair lending laws and wider access to credit.70
  • April McClain Delaney MD-6
    Her campaign website says the Biden administration's housing blueprint recommends a mortgage relief credit, down payment help for first-generation buyers, tax credits for building more housing and relief for renters, and that tackling housing costs is one of her plans.71
  • Rick Bennett ME Governor
    His campaign website says he would create a state-backed down payment guarantee so qualified first-time buyers could buy a home with far less cash up front, without grants or lower lending standards.72
  • Zebulon Featherly MI-1
    His campaign website says he supports incentives for first-time homebuyers, including programs that help with down payments and financing.73
  • Christian Vukasovich MI-5
    His campaign website says he supports expanding assistance for first-time homebuyers, along with building and preserving affordable housing and protecting renters from unfair practices.74
  • Mike Rogers MI Senate
    His campaign website says he would expand 529 savings plans to cover first-time home down payments and help families build credit through on-time rent payments.75
  • Jocelyn Benson MI Governor
    Her housing plan says she would expand a tax credit for families buying their first home.76
  • Erik Osberg MN-7
    It also says he wants to support first-time homebuyers and young families.77
  • Amy Klobuchar MN Governor
    Her campaign website says she would combine state, local and federal down-payment assistance into a single application and provide counseling to help buyers use it.78
  • Sam Forstag MT-1
    His campaign website says he would restore the tax credit for first-time homebuyers to lower the cost of owning a home for young and working people.79
  • Michael D Eisenhauer MT-2
    His Voter Contract and Issues pages say he will support significant down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.80,81
  • Colby Watson NC-8
    His campaign website's Housing page says he supports first-time homebuyer programs.82
  • Jamie Ager NC-11
    His campaign website says he backs programs for people buying a first home and for public service employees such as teachers, firefighters and first responders.83
  • Chris Pappas NH Senate
    His campaign website says he supports tax cuts to help first-time homebuyers.84
  • Stefany Shaheen NH-1
    Her campaign website lists more support for first-time buyers and middle-class homebuyers among the steps she would take on housing.85
  • Zack Mullock NJ-2
    The same section says he supports first-time homebuyer assistance programs.86
  • Rachel Peace NJ-4
    Her campaign website says she supports expanding homeownership programs, which it says have not kept pace with inflation or rising home prices.87
  • Rebecca Bennett NJ-7
    The same one-pager suggests a first-time homebuyer tax credit or better terms on VA loans to help families afford a home.88
  • Aristotle Eliopoulos NJ-8
    It lists providing incentives for first-time homebuyers among its housing affordability priorities.89
  • Joe Hathaway NJ-11
    His campaign platform says he supports a refundable federal tax credit to help first-time buyers cover upfront costs such as closing fees, inspections and moving expenses, and a federal tax freeze for those buyers in the early years after they purchase, with relief targeted and income-capped.90
  • Alan B. Bond NJ-11
    His campaign story on homeownership says down payments and closing costs make buying a home hard and that responsible programs should assist qualified buyers with saving, learning about financing, building credit and getting through the purchase process.91
  • Winston Jordan NJ-12
    His policy platform website lists support for first-time homebuyers through fair financing.92
  • Deb Haaland NM Governor
    Her campaign website says she would expand down payment assistance for first-time homebuyers and for workers in fields such as education, health care and public safety.93
  • Steven "Chap" St John NV-1
    His campaign website says he would expand help for qualified first-time homebuyers, paired with a larger housing supply so the help does not just raise prices.94,95
  • Aaron D. Ford NV Governor
    His campaign website says he would expand down payment assistance through refundable tax credits for first-time buyers, teachers, first responders, military families and veterans.96
  • Joseph Lombardo NV Governor
    His campaign website says he would expand down payment help under the state's Attainable Housing Program for nurses, teachers, military families and first responders.97
  • Tina Kotek OR Governor
    Her campaign website says she would expand housing options for first-time buyers, including down payment assistance programs.98
  • Christine Drazan OR Governor
    Her campaign website says she would expand first-time homebuyer programs, including tax credits and down payment assistance using existing funds.99
  • Stacy Garrity PA Governor
    Her campaign website proposes a program in which the state would cover up to 3% of mortgage interest rates for first-time homebuyers.100
  • Jasjit S Gotra RI Governor
    His campaign website proposes a 3-to-1 state match on down payments, up to $10,000, for first-time buyers earning under 120% of the area median income, paid for with revenue from leasing state land.101
  • Marquita Bradshaw TN Senate
    Her campaign website says she would support policies that expand affordable housing and strengthen help for renters and first-time homebuyers.102
  • Lauren Pinkston TN Governor
    Her campaign website says she would work with Tennessee banks to expand loan access and lower down payments for first-time buyers.103

§3Related bills

Why this matters: Bills from 2023–2026 that bear on this issue, with how Congress handled them.