East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program

What is East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program?

East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Trenton, New Jersey.

• The East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program is a place-based DPA grant operated by NJCC's Address Yourself(TM) program in partnership with the East Trenton Collaborative, a community-based organization focused on revitalizing the East Trenton neighborhood. The program provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance to income-eligible first-time buyers purchasing 1-4 family primary residences within East Trenton (North Ward of Trenton). Funds may be used for down payment and closing costs. Structured as a 5-year forgivable grant.
• Provides up to $10,000 in down payment assistance grants to income-eligible buyers purchasing a 1-4 family primary residence in the East Trenton neighborhood of Trenton's North Ward. Minimum grant is $5,000 or the total of estimated down payment and closing costs (whichever is greater, up to $10,000). Five-year forgivable.
• 0% interest, no monthly payment.
• Funding comes from Nonprofit and Foundation.

Do you have to pay it back?

East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

• Repayment is triggered by Sale, refinance (without subordination), or property no longer used as primary residence prior to 5-year forgiveness and balance forgiven 20% per year.
• The assistance is recorded in 2nd Lien position.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 100% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Up to 100% of HUD Area Median Income for Mercer County, adjusted for household size. Approximate range (2025 HUD): 1-person ~ $88,400; 4-person ~ $126,200; 8-person ~ $166,600. Statewide cross-county range $88,400 - $166,600.
• 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?

East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price as follows: No published maximum purchase price; subject to first-mortgage product limits.

• Eligible property types include 1-4 family residential property occupied as primary residence.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Trenton, New Jersey.

• The program targets specific areas: Eligible only for properties in the East Trenton neighborhood (North Ward) of Trenton, NJ. Place-based program designed to support revitalization of East Trenton.

How do you apply?

Applications for East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through NJCC- and HUD-approved housing counseling agencies; pre-purchase counseling certificate (within 1 year) required.

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Reserved through Address Yourself application process once borrower is enrolled, preapproved, and under contract on a property in East Trenton, and are subject to availability.

3. 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.