Fulton Homeownership Program (HOP)
Open nowFulton County (areas served by Fulton County's HUD grant; exact participating cities not published)
- For
- First-time buyers (or no home owned in past 3 years)
- Amount
- Up to $22,500 based on need (web page says up to 7.5% of sales price, capped at $22,500), for down payment, closing costs and/or rate buydown
- Kind
- Forgivable loan
- Income cap
- 80% AMI (2026 adjusted HOME limits): $66,000 (1) ... $94,250 (4) ... $124,450 (8)
- Price cap
- $347,000 existing / $367,000 new construction
- First-time buyers only?
- Yes
- Also required
- 0% deferred second mortgage, no monthly payment; 20% forgiven per year; HOP participating lender; HUD-approved housing counseling; Georgia-licensed Realtor; no application fee; lender submits via portal (up to 20-day review)
2026 Program Overview effective May 1, 2026 says 5-year affordability; the web page mentions six- or eleven-year periods and 'forgiven starting on the second anniversary' - sources conflict. Cannot be combined with Invest Atlanta incentives (Invest Atlanta FAQ). Contact DownPayment.Assistance@fultoncountyga.gov.
Last checked November 2026 · our sources
Check whether I fitHow HOP works
The county's web page describes the help as up to 7.5% of the sales price, capped at $22,500, sized to what you need. A $300,000 home would hit the cap. It can pay the down payment, closing costs and/or a rate buydown. The loan has 0% interest and no monthly payment, and the county says 20% is forgiven per year.
One caution: Fulton's own sources disagree on the timeline. The 2026 Program Overview (effective May 1, 2026) says five years; the web page mentions six- or eleven-year periods and forgiveness starting on the second anniversary. Ask the county or your lender which schedule is on your note before you sign.
Who qualifies
HOP is for first-time buyers, which here includes anyone who hasn't owned a home in the past three years. Income is capped at 80% of area median under the 2026 HOME limits: $66,000 for one person, $94,250 for four and $124,450 for eight. The price limit is $347,000 for an existing home or $367,000 for new construction. You also need HUD-approved housing counseling, a HOP participating lender and a Georgia-licensed Realtor. The program serves areas covered by Fulton's HUD grant, and the county doesn't publish a list of participating cities, so confirm your address. More on local prices is on the Fulton County page.
Using it with Georgia Dream and other help
Invest Atlanta says its incentives can't be combined with Fulton County assistance, so HOP and ATL HomeNOW are an either/or. Whether HOP layers with Georgia Dream PEN isn't stated, so a participating lender confirms whether they combine. With an 80% AMI income cap, HOP serves a smaller group than PEN, whose metro limit is $137,555 for 1-2 people.
Because the amount is need-based, two buyers purchasing at the same price may receive different amounts.
How to apply
There's no application fee, and you don't submit it yourself: your HOP lender sends the file through the county portal, and review can take up to 20 business days, so build that into your closing date. Questions go to DownPayment.Assistance@fultoncountyga.gov. Our DPA mistakes guide explains how timing problems can delay a DPA closing, or check eligibility.
Counties on this site where it applies: Fulton County.
Common questions about Fulton Homeownership Program (HOP)
How much is Fulton HOP?
Up to $22,500 based on need; the web page says up to 7.5% of the sales price, capped at $22,500.
What are the HOP price limits?
$347,000 for existing homes and $367,000 for new construction.
Can I use HOP with Invest Atlanta programs?
No. Invest Atlanta says its incentives can't be combined with Fulton County assistance.
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.
