Beyond the federal VA loan, Indiana offers eligible veteran homebuyers IHCDA down payment assistance (waiving the standard 3-year first-time buyer rule), a full property tax exemption for 100%-disabled veterans under 2026's House Enrolled Act 1210, and the Military Family Relief Fund for emergency hardship support.
By John Downey, Certified Appraiser & Top Realtor
Most of the veterans and active-duty families I work with know one thing about buying a home in Indiana: the VA loan. Zero down, no PMI, competitive rates — it's a genuinely powerful benefit, and I've written before about how to use it here in Crawfordsville.
What almost nobody asks me about is everything else. Indiana stacks its own state-level programs, property tax relief, and emergency assistance on top of the federal VA loan.
The State Programs Layered on Top of Your VA Benefit
The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) runs the state's homebuyer assistance programs. You may not need to be a "first-time" buyer — if you qualify as an IHCDA "Eligible Veteran," the normal three-year rule is waived. Next Home provides real down payment help — 2.5% or 3.5% of the purchase price, paired with a 30-year fixed-rate FHA or conventional loan.
What Changed With Your Property Taxes This Year
I covered this in more depth in a separate post on VA loans and the 2026 property tax changes, but the headline: Governor Braun signed House Enrolled Act 1210 in March 2026, giving veterans with a total (100%) disability rating a full property tax exemption on their primary residence, replacing the old $14,000 assessed-value deduction. The application window for the new full exemption runs from July 1 through December 30, 2026.
A Safety Net Most Veterans Don't Know Exists
The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs runs the Military Family Relief Fund (MFRF) — an emergency grant program for veterans and military families facing genuine financial hardship, up to roughly $2,500.
What I Bring to the Table Locally
I participate in the Military On The Move® (MOM) program, giving eligible buyers a 20% rebate of my commission at closing. If you're relocating here rather than already stationed nearby, my Veteran's Guide to Military Relocation covers the practical side of the move itself.
Putting It Together
- VA loan (or IHCDA First Step/Step Down if VA isn't the right fit)
- IHCDA Next Home down payment assistance
- HEA 1210 property tax relief, if you carry a service-connected disability rating
- Military On The Move commission rebate at closing
- MFRF as a safety net, if hardship ever hits
Call me at (765) 230-6335 or check your Military On The Move® eligibility to get started.
