Forgivable loan
Newark Municipal Employee Housing Assistance Program
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · Single Family · Condo · Townhouse
Down payment assistance · Essex County
Buying a home in Newark, NJ
3 Newark programs, 1 county program and 19 statewide.Newark has 3 programs of its own, 1 more across Essex County, and 19 statewide. Here is what each one offers, what the local market looks like, and who near you can walk you through it.
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Only for Newark addresses
Newark’s own programs
First mortgage
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark Homeownership Program
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single Family
Forgivable loan
Live Newark Home Closing Cost Program
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · Single-family detached · Townhome · Condominium
Anywhere in EssexAnywhere in Essex County
1 county program1 county program a Newark homebuyer can also use
2 more programs are for homes in Irvington and East Orange. See them 2 programs in neighboring cities — for homes inside those cities, not Newark
- Irvington — Township of Irvington Homeownership Program (First-Time Homebuyer / HOME)
- East Orange — East Orange HOMEBuyers Purchase Program
The Newark marketThe Newark housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Newark
- 12.6% single-familysingle-family
- 10.6% townhousetownhouse
- 40.6% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 36% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.3% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. 3 of Newark’s 4 local and county programs accept condos. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark Homeownership Program lists single family.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Newark’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
65.6%
of Newark homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$138,400
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, Essex County, 4-person household (2026)
$52,060
Newark median household incomeMedian household income in Newark (Census, 2024)
21 of the 85 programs here set their income limit as a share of Essex County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Essex County
Free help nearbyFree help near Newark
44 HUD-approved counseling agencies within 15 miles44 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies within 15 miles
2 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.2 of the 4 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Across New Jersey and nationwide
81 statewide & federal programs19 statewide programs, plus federal options
Newark questions
Does Newark have its own down payment program?
Yes, 3: Newark Municipal Employee Housing Assistance Program, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark Homeownership Program and Live Newark Home Closing Cost Program. Each is for homes inside Newark.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Newark?
3 of Newark’s 4 local and county programs accept condos. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark Homeownership Program lists single family. Each program’s page lists the kinds of homes it accepts, and the agency confirms it for the home you choose.
What is the income limit in Essex County?
Each program sets its own. 21 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for Essex County, adjusted for household size. HUD publishes the median each year; the 2026 figure is shown above and on the published limits page.
Where can I take a homebuyer class near Newark?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 44 agencies are within 15 miles of Newark. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
07101 · 07102 · 07103 · 07104 · 07105 · 07106 · 07107 · 07108 · 07112 · 07114 · 07175 · 07182 · 07184 · 07188 · 07189 · 07191 · 07192 · 07193 · 07194 · 07195 · 07197 · 07198 · 07199
Nearby in Essex
Sources
Sources: agency sites (July–August 2026), Census ACS 2024 5-year, HUD FY2026, HUD counseling list. Hey Prescott is not a lender.Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (July–August 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.