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Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program

Camden County Improvement Authority (CCIA) with Camden County Dept. of Community Development · Camden County, New Jersey

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See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$1,000–$25,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$290,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven once the program's conditions are met

What is Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program?

Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Camden County, New Jersey, administered by Camden County Improvement Authority (CCIA) with Camden County Dept. of Community Development.

  • HOME-funded assistance for low- and moderate-income first-time homebuyers purchasing in Camden County (excluding Camden City, Tavistock, and Pine Valley). Provides up to $25,000 as a 0%, non-amortizing forgivable loan for down payment (up to 5%), closing costs, and/or principal write-down.
  • Up to $25,000 assistance.
  • 0% non-amortizing forgivable loan.
  • Usable for down payment, closing costs, principal write-down.
  • 5- or 10-year forgiveness by tier.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

How much assistance does it provide?

Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program offers between $1,000 and $25,000 in assistance.

  • Award tiers: Forgiveness term: under $15,000 = 5 years; $15,000-$25,000 = 10 years.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Camden County Improvement Authority (CCIA) with Camden County Dept. of Community Development determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program is a forgivable loan, so the balance is forgiven once the program's conditions are met.

  • Repayment is triggered by If property sold or disposed of during the loan period, full Note value repayable at closing. Annual primary-residence certification required.
  • 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?

Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' 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: Single parents or displaced homemakers may qualify even if they owned within the last 3 years.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Program does not evaluate applicant credit; relies on first-mortgage lender underwriting.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Minimum 8 hours of housing counseling from a HUD-certified agency (24 CFR part 214); certificate valid one year.
  • Residency: Purchase in Camden County excluding Camden City, Tavistock Borough, Pine Valley Borough. County residency at application not required.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-12): pending admin review.

The program excludes

  • New construction
  • Purchases above the $290,000 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?

Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income at/below 80% AMI (HUD HOME limits) for the Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington PA-NJ-DE-MD MSA (Effective June 2024): 1 $64,250; 2 $73,400; 3 $82,600; 4 $91,750; 5 $99,100; 6 $106,450; 7 $113,800; 8 $121,150.
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • 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?

Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program caps the purchase price at $290,000.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family, Townhouse, 2-4 Unit, Condo, and Manufactured.
  • New construction is not eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are eligible.

Where does it apply?

Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program is a federal program, so it is not limited to New Jersey.

How do you apply?

Applications for Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program go through Camden County Improvement Authority (CCIA) with Camden County Dept. 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, through Minimum 8 hours of housing counseling from a HUD-certified agency (24 CFR part 214); certificate valid one year..

  2. Contact Camden County Improvement Authority (CCIA) with Camden County Dept. of Community Development 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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