County seatJonesboro
People living here297,471
Help availableGeorgia Dream PEN
What to know about Clayton
Clayton lies just south of Atlanta, with Forest Park, Riverdale, Morrow, Lovejoy and the county seat of Jonesboro. Its limits come from the metro Atlanta tier, the highest in the state.
Clayton County Public Schools is the county's school system, and any of its employees can qualify, from classroom teachers to front office staff. The Clayton County Police Department, Clayton County Sheriff's Office and Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services are the main public safety employers.
Because PEN maxes out at about a $208,400 price, a buyer in Clayton who spends $220,000 would still get the full $12,500.
The Clayton limits
Household of 1 or 2$137,555
Household of 3 or more$158,188
Highest home price$625,000
Clayton buyers can earn up to $137,555 (1-2 people) or $158,188 (3+) and buy up to $625,000. Compare with every county's limits, or try a budget before you shop.
More help that is local to Clayton
Some of these can sit alongside the state program, and some cannot. Your lender sorts out which pairings are allowed before anything is signed.
Clayton County
- For
- First-time buyers (or no home owned in last 3 years) at or below 80% AMI
- Amount
- Up to $7,500; up to $10,000 for veterans/spouses, Clayton County employees, and Georgia law enforcement, first responders, healthcare and education workers
- Kind
- Forgivable loan
- Income cap
- 80% AMI (HUD HOME limits effective June 1, 2026)
- Price cap
- $270,000
- First-time buyers only?
- Yes
- Also required
- 0% soft second; forgiven after 5 or 10 years depending on amount; 8-hour HUD-approved class; HUD preferred lender; $1,000 buyer contribution; single-family, no condos or mobile homes; approved closing attorney; no cash back
Contact HUD@claytoncountyga.gov, (770) 473-5914. 2026 lender list and workshop schedule posted.
Last checked November 2026 · our sources
Read our full write-upCheck whether I fitBrowse all Georgia programs
Homebuyer classes near Clayton
Nearly every assistance program asks you to finish a homebuyer class before you close. It is usually friendlier than people expect. Here are HUD-approved agencies near Clayton County that teach the class or meet with buyers one on one:
| Agency | City | How far | What they offer | Languages | How you meet |
|---|
| D&E, A Housing & Economic Empowerment Center, Inc. (D&E Group) | East Point | 9 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
| Metro Fair Housing Services, Inc. | Atlanta | 10 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
| Resources for Residents and Communities of Georgia, Inc. | Atlanta | 14 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Phone |
| Operation Hope, Inc | Atlanta | 14 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English, Spanish | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
| Refugee Family Assistance Program | Stone Mountain | 20 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | Arabic, English, Vietnamese | Face to Face |
From HUD's list of housing counseling agencies. Programs differ on which classes they accept.
Which class will count for you? Ask the lender. Someone who works with Georgia programs knows which class your program takes, and can begin your pre-approval during the same conversation.
Find me a lender
Local employers whose staff may qualify
A few of the larger ones:
- Clayton County Public Schools
- Clayton County Police Department
- Clayton County Sheriff's Office
- Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services
Clayton County Fire and Emergency Services EMS staff qualify alongside its firefighters. See the full list of jobs.
Questions from Clayton buyers
Can a Clayton County Schools cafeteria worker qualify?
Yes. All employees of an accredited school board count, not just teachers.
What credit score do I need?
At least a 640 middle score, using the lowest score among all borrowers.
Can family help with my $1,000 minimum?
Yes. A documented gift can cover the $1,000 buyer contribution.
Nearby counties: Fulton Gwinnett Cobb DeKalb Chatham Cherokee Forsyth Henry See them all
