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Forgivable local help for Clayton buyers
Down payment assistance in Clayton County GA is a forgivable second mortgage for first-time buyers. It covers down payment, closing costs, and prepaids on a Clayton primary residence. Live there the full term and you owe nothing back.
Standard is up to $7,500, forgiven over 5 years. The Enhanced tier for veterans, first responders, teachers, nurses, and county staff is up to $10,000 over 10.
How it works and who qualifies
- First-time buyer, none owned in 3 years
- Income at or below 80% of HUD AMI
- Purchase price under $270,000
- Single-family detached only, no condos
- Inside Clayton County limits
- $1,000 minimum buyer contribution
- Must use a county Preferred Lender
- 8-hour HUD class before you close
- Forgiven after 5 or 10 years in the home
What this means in Clayton
The $270,000 cap is a HUD limit the county cannot raise. Riverdale medians run well under it, so most inventory qualifies. New construction in the 290s loses this layer.
It stacks with Georgia Dream and any FHA, VA, or conventional first mortgage. The common Riverdale stack drops cash to close to around $1,000 to $2,000.
How this layers on top of Georgia Dream, and the order you have to do it in, is what I walk through at the Clayton County first-time buyer workshop.
The 80 percent AMI ceiling, in dollars
The income test is the gate that knocks most people out, and it is not one number. HUD sets it by household size, so a family of four can earn nearly $30,000 more than a single buyer and still qualify. These are the FY2026 figures for the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell HUD Metro FMR Area, effective 1 May 2026.
| Household size | Maximum annual income |
|---|---|
| 1 person | $66,000 |
| 2 people | $75,400 |
| 3 people | $84,850 |
| 4 people | $94,250 |
| 5 people | $101,800 |
| 6 people | $109,350 |
| 7 people | $116,900 |
| 8 people | $124,450 |
HUD puts the area median family income for the metro at $117,800. Source: HUD FY2026 income limits. Individual programs can calculate income differently and adopt new limits on their own schedule, so the county confirms the number that applies to you.
Not sure where you land against it? The program matcher does this arithmetic for you in about two minutes.
Forgiveness is real, but the funds are limited and the county can pause new help.
Southlake Mall and the Tara Boulevard retail corridor
Local restaurants and cafes across Clayton County
Parks, golf, and community recreation nearby
Clayton County International Park and area trails
