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Welcome Home Assistance (WHA)

Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) · Nebraska

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Income limit

$175,500

The household income limit the program publishes

Repayment

Repayable

Repaid on the terms set by Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA)

What is Welcome Home Assistance (WHA)?

Welcome Home Assistance (WHA) is a second mortgage for homebuyers in Nebraska, administered by Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA).

  • NIFA's Welcome Home Assistance (WHA) program is for first-time and repeat homebuyers who need down payment and closing cost assistance. It pairs a first mortgage with a second mortgage that provides the assistance; the second loan carries a 1% interest rate. Income and purchase price limits apply.
  • Down payment and closing cost assistance via a second mortgage.
  • 1% interest rate on the second loan.
  • Open to repeat homebuyers.
  • Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA options.

Do you have to pay it back?

Welcome Home Assistance (WHA) is a second mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA).

  • The assistance is recorded in second position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Welcome Home Assistance (WHA) is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A minimum 640 credit score
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Available to first-time AND repeat homebuyers (distinct from base Welcome Home loan, already in catalog). First-time buyers must complete homebuyer education before closing. Lender origination fee up to 0.50% may apply. Occupy as primary residence within 60 days. Purchase price limit $485,500 (one unit) eff. 7/7/25. Max DTI 45% (50% if credit 660+). Unconfirmed: maximum WHA second-loan amount or percentage.

The program excludes

  • Households above $175,500

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

Welcome Home Assistance (WHA) limits household income to $175,500.

  • 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?

Welcome Home Assistance (WHA) serves buyers purchasing anywhere in Nebraska.

How do you apply?

Applications for Welcome Home Assistance (WHA) go through Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program before funds are reserved.

  2. Contact Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

  3. 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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