Homebuyer Assistance Programs in NY, NJ & CT
Looking for help with a down payment? Start with the program for the location where you plan to buy, then check its income, mortgage, property and timing rules with the official administrator or participating lender. These programs can help eligible buyers; the advertised maximum is not an individual award.
Official sources checked October 31, 2026. Funding and rules can change. This directory covers selected programs relevant to Westchester, the Bronx, Bergen County and Fairfield County; it is not an exhaustive list.
New York · New Jersey · Connecticut
Start with the right kind of help
A grant, a conditionally forgivable loan and a repayable second mortgage have different costs and obligations. Many programs described online as “grants” require signed loan documents, continued occupancy or repayment after certain events. Ask for the written terms and compare the entire financing package.
New York: Westchester and the Bronx
Yonkers Down Payment Assistance
Where: City of Yonkers
Potential help: Up to 19% toward the down payment
Structure: Zero-interest deferred loan; conditional five-year forgiveness
Qualifying city connection, income and mortgage requirements apply. Closing costs are separate. Participation approval is required before a contract of sale. As checked October 31, applications are listed as coming after the November 9 information session.
Official program details and application route · Read the RxP Yonkers program guide.
New Rochelle Down Payment Assistance
Where: City of New Rochelle
Potential help: Up to 19%, capped at $125,590 in posted 2026 guidelines
Structure: Zero-interest deferred loan; conditional five-year forgiveness
Income, qualifying city connection, property and mortgage requirements apply. Obtain a Purchaser Certificate before a contract. Confirm work-history rules and any new-construction value limit with WRO because the linked official materials differ on those details.
NYC HomeFirst
Where: New York City, including the Bronx
Potential help: Up to $100,000 toward down payment or closing costs
Structure: Assistance loan with long-term occupancy requirements
Qualified first-time buyers work with an HPD-approved counseling agency. Own-funds, income, property and inspection requirements apply. Required occupancy may be 10 or 15 years; city-funded loans require 15 years regardless of amount.
SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL)
Where: Eligible New York properties, including Westchester and the Bronx
Potential help: Generally 3% of the purchase price, up to $15,000, or $3,000 if greater; actual-cost limits apply
Structure: Zero-interest loan with no monthly payment; ten-year forgiveness conditions
Requires a SONYMA mortgage and participating lender. Compare the full first-mortgage cost: using DPAL generally increases the first-mortgage interest rate, with specified program exceptions. Early sale or refinance can require repayment.
SONYMA DPAL PLUS 2026
Where: Eligible New York properties statewide
Potential help: Up to $30,000 under the published 2026 terms
Structure: Enhanced down payment assistance loan
The posted program limits household income to 60% AMI and requires qualifying SONYMA financing. Funds are first-come, first-served and may be exhausted. Ask a participating lender to confirm current funds, repayment terms and subsidy sequencing.
New Jersey: Bergen County and beyond
NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance
Where: New Jersey statewide, including Bergen County
Potential help: Up to $15,000, depending on the property’s county
Structure: Interest-free second loan; conditional five-year forgiveness; no monthly payment
Must pair with an eligible NJHMFA first mortgage through a participating lender. First-time buyer, income, purchase-price and owner-occupancy requirements apply. Confirm the county-specific award before planning your cash to close.
NJHMFA First-Generation Assistance
Where: Eligible New Jersey purchases, including Bergen County
Potential help: An additional $7,000; combined assistance may total $17,000–$22,000
Structure: Interest-free second loan with five-year forgiveness conditions
First-generation eligibility is separate from first-time buyer status. The published definition addresses parents’ or guardians’ ownership, household ownership history and a New Jersey foster-care pathway. A participating lender must confirm the full criteria.
Connecticut: Fairfield County and beyond
CHFA Time To Own
Where: Eligible Connecticut properties, including Fairfield County
Potential help: Up to $25,000 toward eligible down payment and closing costs
Structure: Zero-interest loan; no monthly payment; 10% forgiven annually over ten years
Requires a CHFA first mortgage and program underwriting. Applicants must demonstrate Connecticut residency for the most recent three years. CHFA posted a funding-availability update dated October 26; a lender must confirm funds when reserving a loan.
CHFA Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP)
Where: Eligible Connecticut properties, including Fairfield County
Potential help: Home purchase assistance up to $15,000 under the current program page
Structure: Repayable, low-interest second mortgage
Requires qualifying CHFA financing, homebuyer education and the ability to repay both loans. Ask the lender for the current rate, approved amount and complete cash-to-close comparison. This program has different repayment terms from Time To Own.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Is funding available now, and what reserves it?
- Must I obtain approval before entering a purchase contract?
- Which income, price, residency and property rules apply to me?
- How much of my own money and which closing costs must I cover?
- When would I have to repay assistance?
- Can this be combined with another program, and who approves that combination?
Quick answers
Can I combine assistance programs?
Only when the administrators and lender approve the combination and lien order. Do not add the maximum awards together as an assumed buying budget.
Does appearing eligible guarantee an award?
No. The administrator and lender must review the household, financing, property, documents and current funding.
Can RxP approve my assistance?
Program administrators and lenders make those decisions. RxP can help coordinate the property search and purchase timeline; using RxP is not required to apply.
Plan your home search
Request our buyer’s guide, explore local community guides, or choose Felix or Aneury for a consultation. Send income records and other financial documents only through the official application channels.
Prepared with AI assistance and checked against the linked official sources. General educational information, not a lending commitment or eligibility determination. RxP is independent of the listed administrators. Terms, funding, approval and repayment conditions apply. Real Broker NY, LLC — Licensed Real Estate Broker; Real Broker, LLC (NJ); Real Broker CT, LLC. Equal Housing Opportunity. Brokerage and state disclosures · Privacy policy.
