DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance
Open nowCity of Savannah
- For
- Qualified first-time buyers purchasing inside Savannah city limits
- Amount
- Up to $50,000 (housing developed in partnership with the City) or up to $30,000 (all other housing) for down payment, closing costs and/or gap financing
- Kind
- Deferred loan, due when you sell or refinance
- Income cap
- Household income restrictions apply (limits not shown on page)
- First-time buyers only?
- Yes
- Also required
- 2% interest, 30-year deferred-payment loan; private and City inspections required; pre-1978 homes cannot have defective paint; property must be in Savannah city limits
Applications ongoing year-round while funds remain. Contact downpayment@savannahga.gov, (912) 651-6926.
Last checked November 2026 · our sources
Check whether I fitHow DreamMaker works
DreamMaker is one of the largest local amounts in Georgia. It can cover the down payment, closing costs and/or gap financing (the shortfall between what you can borrow and the price). It is a 2% interest, 30-year deferred-payment loan, so it is not forgiven: interest accrues and the balance is repaid later. Don't treat it like free money. Run the numbers on what you'd owe if you sold in 10 years.
| Home type | Maximum |
|---|
| Housing developed in partnership with the City | Up to $50,000 |
| All other housing in Savannah city limits | Up to $30,000 |
Who qualifies
You need to be a qualified first-time buyer purchasing inside Savannah city limits; unincorporated Chatham County doesn't count. Household income restrictions apply, but the city doesn't post the limits on the program page, so ask. The home must pass both a private inspection and a City inspection, and a home built before 1978 can't have defective paint, which matters in Savannah's historic neighborhoods.
Using it with Georgia Dream and other help
City of Savannah employees can combine DreamMaker with the employee home purchase program (up to $15,000), which helps Savannah police and fire staff. Whether DreamMaker pairs with Georgia Dream PEN isn't stated, so a participating lender confirms whether they combine. Teachers and nurses outside city employment should ask about both.
Questions to ask before you sign
Because DreamMaker can be a large balance at 2% interest, ask the city three things before closing: what household income limit applies to your family size, what happens to the loan if you refinance, and whether a home you're considering counts as housing developed in partnership with the City, since that is what unlocks the $50,000 level. Also ask your inspector early about lead paint on any pre-1978 home; fixing defective paint before closing can take time and may need the seller's agreement.
How to apply
Applications are taken year-round while funds remain. Contact Savannah Housing & Neighborhood Services at downpayment@savannahga.gov or (912) 651-6926, get pre-approved, and schedule the inspections early. Our cash-to-close guide shows how the help fits your total cash to close, or check eligibility.
Counties on this site where it applies: Chatham County.
Common questions about DreamMaker Home Purchase Assistance
How much can I get from DreamMaker?
Up to $50,000 for housing developed in partnership with the City, or up to $30,000 for other homes in Savannah city limits.
Is DreamMaker a grant?
No. It's a 2% interest, 30-year deferred-payment loan.
When can I apply?
Year-round while funds remain.
See if this one could work for me
Programs people compare with this one
Our summary of the official program page as of November 2026. Money and terms change, so check the current details with the program or a participating lender. Georgia Down Payment Assistance has no connection to this program.
