CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP)
CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) is a grant for homebuyers in Statewide, Connecticut.
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Borrowers purchasing in a federally designated targeted area, qualified veterans (per Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act), and CHFA special programs may be exempt from the first-time homebuyer (3-year) requirement
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- On credit: 660 minimum FICO (may vary by first-mortgage product/insurer overlays)
- A completed homebuyer education course, through CHFA-approved Homebuyer Education / Pre-Purchase Counseling providers (HUD-approved housing counseling agencies)
- Residency: Property must be the borrower's primary residence located in Connecticut
- Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen (per CHFA first-mortgage requirements)
- Must qualify for and obtain a CHFA first mortgage from a CHFA-Participating Lender. Borrower must demonstrate ability to repay both the CHFA first mortgage and the DAP loan. Pre-purchase homebuyer education required. Lender may charge a $200 application fee. Minimum borrower contribution of $1,000 of own funds.
- A home in Connecticut
It doesn’t cover
- Purchases above the $750,000 price cap
- Households above $124,600
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
Income limit
$124,600 household income limit, as the program publishes it
The program states this limit itself. Its official site says how household size changes it.
Where it applies
Connecticut’s homesConnecticut’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 58.6% single-familysingle-family
- 6.5% townhousetownhouse
- 15.6% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 18.6% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.7% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$366,900
Connecticut median home value
67.2%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through CHFA-approved Homebuyer Education / Pre-Purchase Counseling providers (HUD-approved housing counseling agencies).
Contact the administering agency to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through Reserved by CHFA-Participating Lender at the time of first-mortgage reservation through CHFA's lender portal, and are subject to availability.
Work with a lender who handles the program
Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Questions about this program
What is CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP)?
CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) is a grant for homebuyers in Statewide, Connecticut. CHFA's Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) is a low-interest second mortgage that helps first-time homebuyers cover down payment and closing costs when paired with a CHFA first mortgage. The DAP loan amount equals 4.00% of the lesser of sales price or appraised value (minimum $3,000), and the interest rate is set to match the first mortgage rate or 5.00%, whichever is less. The DAP is fully amortizing over the term of the first mortgage and is recorded as a second lien. Provides down payment and closing cost assistance as a second mortgage equal to 4.00% of the lesser of sales price or appraised value (minimum $3,000). Interest rate equals the first mortgage rate or 5.00% (5.10%-5.50% APR), whichever is less. Must be paired with a CHFA first mortgage. Funding comes from State and Bond.
How much assistance does it provide?
CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) provides assistance worth 4% of the purchase price, as set by the program. Homebuyer contribution: Borrower must contribute a minimum of $1,000 of their own funds toward the purchase. The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid. Repayment is triggered by Monthly amortizing payments alongside first mortgage and balance also due upon sale, refinance, or transfer of property. The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: Borrowers purchasing in a federally designated targeted area, qualified veterans (per Heroes Earnings Assistance and Relief Tax Act), and CHFA special programs may be exempt from the first-time homebuyer (3-year) requirement. On credit, the program states: 660 minimum FICO (may vary by first-mortgage product/insurer overlays). A homebuyer education course is required, through CHFA-approved Homebuyer Education / Pre-Purchase Counseling providers (HUD-approved housing counseling agencies). Residency requirement: Property must be the borrower's primary residence located in Connecticut. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or qualified non-citizen (per CHFA first-mortgage requirements). Must qualify for and obtain a CHFA first mortgage from a CHFA-Participating Lender. Borrower must demonstrate ability to repay both the CHFA first mortgage and the DAP loan. Pre-purchase homebuyer education required. Lender may charge a $200 application fee. Minimum borrower contribution of $1,000 of own funds.
What are the income limits?
CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) limits household income to $124,600. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.
What kind of home can it be used for?
CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) caps the purchase price at $750,000. Eligible property types include 1-4 unit owner-occupied, condominium, planned unit development (PUD), manufactured/mobile home (per CHFA program). New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are eligible.
Where does it apply?
CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) serves homebuyers purchasing in Statewide, Connecticut. The program targets specific areas: Federally designated targeted areas (per IRC Section 143) in Connecticut receive higher income and sales price limits and waived first-time-homebuyer requirement. Includes census tracts in Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, New London, Norwalk, Stamford, Waterbury, and other municipalities.
How do you apply?
Applications for CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Reserved by CHFA-Participating Lender at the time of first-mortgage reservation through CHFA's lender portal. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Also for Connecticut homebuyersOther programs open to Connecticut homebuyers
- CHFA Mobile Manufactured Home Loan ProgramUp to $150,000
- Lift Up HomeownershipUp to $50,000
- FHLBank Boston Equity Builder Program (EBP) - ConnecticutUp to $32,099
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 79 programs for ConnecticutProgram terms are set by the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.