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City of Memphis

Memphis firefighter homebuyer incentive (HIPF)

Front-line Memphis Fire Department firefighters with a year or more of service can get up to 10% of the purchase price, at most $25,000, to buy inside city limits. No income cap applies.

Homebuyer Incentive Program - Firefighters (HIPF)

Funds limited

City of Memphis

For
Front-line Memphis Fire Department firefighters with at least 1 year of service
How much
Up to 10% of sales price, max $25,000 (City DPA cap)

No income limit; Memphis city limits.

Checked against the source November 2026 · how we check

Could I use this?
Want a heads-up? Homebuyer Incentive Program - Firefighters (HIPF) runs on a limited pot of money that can run dry. We'll tell you when a new round is funded.

The basics

HIPF rewards the city's own fire crews for living in Memphis. To qualify you must be a front-line firefighter with the Memphis Fire Department and have at least one year of service. Shelby County Fire Department staff are not named in the program.

  • Amount: up to 10% of the sales price, with a $25,000 ceiling shared across all City DPA programs.
  • Income: no limit.
  • Location: inside Memphis city limits.
  • Funding: subject to city funds.

The city lists HUD HOME value limits as the price limit on its DPA programs, so ask your lender for the current figure. Repayment or forgiveness terms are not posted.

Why the no-income-limit rule matters

Firefighter pay often includes overtime and shift pay that can push a household over income-tested programs. HIPF ignores income, which helps two-earner households and senior crew members. THDA's Homeownership for Heroes does test income, at $102,794 for one or two people and $118,214 for three or more in Shelby County. Our overtime and shift pay guide explains how lenders treat that pay.

Layering with THDA

Firefighters are an eligible Heroes occupation, so a Memphis firefighter under THDA's limits could pair the 0.5% lower THDA rate with HIPF money. The city does not state whether its incentive can go on a THDA loan; a participating lender confirms whether they combine. If you are over THDA's limit, HIPF can still work with a non-THDA first mortgage. Details on THDA documents are on firefighter eligibility.

Timing your purchase: because HIPF is funding-dependent, ask your lender to confirm money is available before you lock a rate or set a closing date. If you are a few weeks short of your one-year mark, ask whether the city counts service at application or at closing, and keep a copy of your hire record handy. Also confirm the address is inside the city line and pays Memphis city taxes; a Memphis mailing address alone does not prove that.

How to start

  1. Get a letter or record showing a year or more as a front-line MFD firefighter.
  2. Line up an approved City of Memphis DPA lender.
  3. Confirm funds with HCD at 901-636-7300.
  4. Shop inside the city, then check your eligibility for THDA too.

Local context is in the Shelby County guide.

Questions about Homebuyer Incentive Program - Firefighters (HIPF)

Do Memphis firefighters need to meet an income limit for HIPF?

No. HIPF has no income limit. The home must be inside Memphis city limits.

How much can a Memphis firefighter get?

Up to 10% of the sales price, capped at $25,000 across all City of Memphis DPA programs, subject to funding.

Can I use HIPF with THDA Homeownership for Heroes?

The city does not say. Ask a lender approved by both the city and THDA to confirm before you sign a contract.

Could I use this program?

Other programs worth a look

Summarized from the program's official page as of November 2026. Money and rules change, so check current terms with the program or a lender who takes part. Tennessee Down Payment Assistance has no connection to this program.