SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP)
SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Hartford, Connecticut, administered by Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (SINA), Inc.
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- A completed homebuyer education course, through Referenced via NHS of New Britain; must be 'Home Buyer Ready'
- Residency: Home within HIP target area in Hartford's Southside
- Employer-restricted (Hartford Hospital, Trinity, CCMC), each sets own criteria; place-based target area; repayment if employment ends; 90-day P&S window; no published income test.
- A home inside Hartford city limits
It doesn’t cover
- Homes outside Hartford
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
Where it applies
Hartford’s homesHartford’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 16.6% single-familysingle-family
- 4.4% townhousetownhouse
- 34.6% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 44.1% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.4% 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.
$228,600
Hartford median home value
80.1%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Hartford
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through Referenced via NHS of New Britain; must be 'Home Buyer Ready'.
Contact Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (SINA), Inc. to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; applied via employer HR, forwarded to SINA, 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 SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP)?
SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Hartford, Connecticut, administered by Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (SINA), Inc. An employer-assisted program by SINA providing a $10,000 incentive to employees of Hartford Hospital, Trinity College, and Connecticut Children's Medical Center who buy in a Southside Hartford target area (Frog Hollow, South Green, Barry Square). First-come, first-served; 90 days from approval to sign a purchase and sale agreement; check paid jointly to buyer and closing attorney. Leaving the employer before the grant is earned requires repaying the balance. $10,000 toward home purchase. Place-based Southside Hartford revitalization. Walk-to-work homeownership. Three major Hartford employers. Funding comes from Hartford Hospital, Connecticut Children's Medical Center, Trinity College (via SINA anchors).
How much assistance does it provide?
SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) offers between $10,000 and $10,000 in assistance. The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (SINA), Inc. determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) is a forgivable loan, so the balance is forgiven once the program's conditions are met. Repayment is triggered by Employee who leaves the institution voluntarily or is terminated must repay outstanding balance. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. A homebuyer education course is required, through Referenced via NHS of New Britain; must be 'Home Buyer Ready'. Residency requirement: Home within HIP target area in Hartford's Southside. Employer-restricted (Hartford Hospital, Trinity, CCMC), each sets own criteria; place-based target area; repayment if employment ends; 90-day P&S window; no published income test.
What are the income limits?
SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) sets its income limit as follows: No published income limit; employment-based, criteria set per institution. 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?
SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) can be used for Single Family and 2-4 Unit.
Is there eligibility for specific groups?
SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) is limited to employees of Employees of Hartford Hospital, Trinity College, Connecticut Children's Medical Center. Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.
Where does it apply?
SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) serves homebuyers purchasing in Hartford, Connecticut. The program gives priority to designated target areas, so the address matters as well as the county. Targeted neighborhoods: Frog Hollow, South Green, Barry Square.
How do you apply?
Applications for SINA Homeownership Incentive Program (HIP) go through Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (SINA), Inc., which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; applied via employer HR, forwarded to SINA. 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 Hartford homebuyersOther programs open to Hartford homebuyers
- UpPayment Down Payment Assistance (Urban League of Greater Hartford)Up to $13,500
- SINA SAMA Homebuyer Assistance ProgramUp to $5,000
- Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut Homeownership ProgramAssistance available
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 85 programs for HartfordProgram terms are set by Southside Institutions Neighborhood Alliance (SINA), Inc. and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.