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Atlantic County HUD HOME Down Payment Assistance Program

Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA), Office of Community Development · Atlantic County, New Jersey

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$30,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$314,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 10 years

What is Atlantic County HUD HOME Down Payment Assistance Program?

Atlantic County HUD HOME Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Atlantic County, New Jersey, administered by Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA), Office of Community Development.

  • A HUD HOME-funded down payment and closing cost assistance program administered by the Atlantic County Improvement Authority for Atlantic County (excluding Atlantic City). Provides up to $30,000 as a 0% interest, deferred, forgivable second mortgage with no monthly payments — up to 20% of purchase price for down payment plus up to $5,000 closing costs, set by an ACIA need calculation. Forgiven after 10 years of primary-residence occupancy; recaptured if the buyer sells, rents, refinances, transfers title, or stops occupying within the term.
  • Up to $30,000 combined down payment and closing cost assistance.
  • 0% interest, no monthly payments.
  • Forgivable after 10 years of occupancy.
  • Up to 20% of price + up to $5,000 closing costs.
  • Stackable with NJHMFA.
  • Funding comes from HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program (administered locally by ACIA).

How much assistance does it provide?

Atlantic County HUD HOME Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $30,000 in assistance.

  • The program can be combined with NJHMFA programs and other assistance (subject to ACIA need calculation).
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA), Office of Community Development determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Atlantic County HUD HOME Down Payment Assistance Program is forgiven after 10 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Full repayment if, during the 10-year term, the homeowner refinances, sells, rents, vacates, transfers title, or fails to maintain as primary residence.
  • The assistance is recorded in Second (mortgage lien recorded with County Clerk) position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Atlantic County HUD HOME Down Payment Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: No household member may have owned a home in the previous 3 years.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course
  • Residency: Must have resided in OR been employed in Atlantic County for the previous 12 months.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: Non-permanent U.S. residents are disqualified.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-11): pending review. Must have lived OR worked in Atlantic County for 12 months. No household member owned a home in past 3 years. Non-permanent residents disqualified. DATA-INTEGRITY FLAG: official page contradicts itself on max purchase price ($314,000 body vs $281,000 existing/$289,000 new in FAQ) — verify with ACIA. Unconfirmed (left blank): min credit score, max DTI, min contribution, max liquid assets, named education provider, annual funding cap, points/fees.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Purchases above the $314,000 price cap
  • Households above 80% of area median income

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?

Atlantic County HUD HOME Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Combined household income <= 80% AMI for Atlantic County (2026 HUD). 2026 limits: 1p $60,950; 2p $69,650; 3p $78,350; 4p $87,050; 5p $94,050; 6p $101,000; 7p $107,950; 8p $114,950.
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;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.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Atlantic County HUD HOME Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price at $314,000.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family, Townhouse, and Condo.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Atlantic County HUD HOME Down Payment Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Atlantic County, New Jersey.

How do you apply?

Applications for Atlantic County HUD HOME Down Payment Assistance Program go through Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA), Office of Community Development, 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 Atlantic County Improvement Authority (ACIA), Office of Community Development to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-serve upon a complete application; amount set by ACIA need calculation., 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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