Progressive Insurance announced on May 4 the expansion of its UpPayment program, which will provide personalized down payment assistance of up to $13,500 each for at least 200 eligible first-time homebuyers. The initiative aims to make it easier for individuals and families who have not previously owned a home to purchase their first property.
The expansion is part of Progressive’s Open the House initiative, which focuses on helping more people access homeownership, maintain their homes, and build wealth through education and financial support. With rising housing costs and a growing wealth gap, fewer people are able to buy homes; only 21% of homebuyers in 2025 were purchasing their first residence, according to the National Association of Realtors—the lowest figure ever recorded.
“For many people, the hardest part of buying a home isn’t the monthly payment – it’s getting in the door,” said Tricia Griffith, Chief Executive Officer at Progressive. “UpPayment is designed to remove that barrier. By combining financial support with practical guidance, we’re helping more first-time buyers take a meaningful step toward stability and deepening our commitment to help people move forward and live fully.”
Tiffany Bauldwin, an UpPayment recipient, described her experience: “For a long time, homeownership felt out of reach for me. I’ve faced housing instability and worked hard to create something better for my daughter, but the down payment was always the biggest hurdle. When I found out I was selected, it was a huge weight off my shoulders. This program didn’t just help me buy a house, it gave us a place to finally feel safe, stable and at peace.”
Applications for UpPayment are open through October 31. Applicants must work with participating HUD-certified housing counselors at no cost before applying. Eligibility requirements include being a first-time buyer who has not owned a home in three years or more; enrollment in an approved counseling program; recent mortgage pre-approval; meeting income criteria; U.S. legal residency; and being at least 18 years old.
Since launching Open the House in 2024, Progressive has committed over $16 million toward making homeownership achievable by providing down payment assistance for over 100 families so far; expanding access to HUD-certified counseling for more than 15,000 households; delivering educational tools to over 300,000 potential buyers; and supporting stabilization services that have helped nearly one thousand families remain housed during hardship.
