USDA Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans (Section 502 Direct) - Nebraska
USDA Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans (Section 502 Direct) - Nebraska is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Nebraska, administered by USDA Rural Development, Rural Housing Service - Nebraska State Office.
The program asks for
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- Citizenship or immigration status: Must meet citizenship or eligible noncitizen requirements
- Property must be located in an eligible rural area (USDA eligibility map) and not exceed the applicable area loan limit; cannot be designed for income-producing activities; applicant must be without decent/safe/sanitary housing and unable to obtain a loan from other resources on reasonable terms; borrowers repay all or a portion of the payment subsidy received when title transfers or they no longer occupy the home (recapture/subsidy recapture).
- A home in Nebraska
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
Nebraska’s homesThe homes in Nebraska
- 71.3% single-familysingle-family
- 4.1% townhousetownhouse
- 4.3% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 17.4% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 2.9% mobile & othermobile home & other
$238,600
Nebraska median home value
57.2%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year.
How to apply
How to applyTwo steps, in this order
Contact USDA Rural Development, Rural Housing Service - Nebraska State Office to reserve funds
Funds are reserved with the provider 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 USDA Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans (Section 502 Direct) - Nebraska?
USDA Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans (Section 502 Direct) - Nebraska is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Nebraska, administered by USDA Rural Development, Rural Housing Service - Nebraska State Office. Also known as the Section 502 Direct Loan Program, this USDA Rural Development program assists low- and very-low-income applicants in obtaining decent, safe and sanitary housing in eligible rural areas of Nebraska by providing direct mortgage financing with payment assistance (a subsidy that temporarily reduces the mortgage payment). No down payment is typically required, and the effective interest rate can be reduced to as low as 1% with payment assistance. 100% financing - no down payment typically required. Payment assistance subsidy reduces effective interest rate to as low as 1%. Fixed rate (5.125% as of June 1, 2026 before subsidy). Up to 33-year term (38 years for very-low-income borrowers). Funds may be used to buy, build, repair, renovate, or relocate a home. Funding comes from USDA Rural Development (Housing Act of 1949; 7 CFR Part 3550).
Do you have to pay it back?
USDA Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans (Section 502 Direct) - Nebraska is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by USDA Rural Development, Rural Housing Service - Nebraska State Office. Repayment is triggered by Payment subsidy (recapture) repaid when title transfers or borrower no longer occupies the dwelling. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
USDA Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans (Section 502 Direct) - Nebraska is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. Citizenship or immigration status: Must meet citizenship or eligible noncitizen requirements. Property must be located in an eligible rural area (USDA eligibility map) and not exceed the applicable area loan limit; cannot be designed for income-producing activities; applicant must be without decent/safe/sanitary housing and unable to obtain a loan from other resources on reasonable terms; borrowers repay all or a portion of the payment subsidy received when title transfers or they no longer occupy the home (recapture/subsidy recapture).
What are the income limits?
USDA Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans (Section 502 Direct) - Nebraska sets its income limit as follows: Adjusted household income must be at or below the applicable low-income limit for the area (USDA Direct income limits by county). The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. The program lists a maximum household size of 8. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.
Where does it apply?
USDA Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans (Section 502 Direct) - Nebraska serves homebuyers purchasing anywhere in Nebraska. The program targets specific areas: Eligible USDA-defined rural areas of Nebraska (verify via USDA eligibility site).
How do you apply?
Applications for USDA Single Family Housing Direct Home Loans (Section 502 Direct) - Nebraska go through USDA Rural Development, Rural Housing Service - Nebraska State Office, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. 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 Nebraska homebuyersOther programs open to Nebraska homebuyers
- NENEDD Direct Homebuyer Assistance ProgramUp to $30,000
- Purchase Resell Rehab Down Payment Assistance (NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska)Up to $20,000
- FHLBank Topeka Homeownership Set-aside Program (HSP)Up to $15,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 76 programs for NebraskaProgram terms are set by USDA Rural Development, Rural Housing Service - Nebraska State Office and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.