Esperanza Down Payment Assistance Program

What is Esperanza Down Payment Assistance Program?

Esperanza Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

• The Esperanza Down Payment Assistance Program is a place-based DPA grant launched in February 2022 by NJCC's Address Yourself(TM) program in partnership with New Brunswick Tomorrow, the lead organization in the Esperanza Neighborhood Project. The Esperanza Neighborhood Project is a Latino/Hispanic community revitalization initiative in New Brunswick, NJ, and the name 'Esperanza' (Spanish for 'Hope') reflects its focus on Latino-rooted neighborhoods. The program provides up to $30,000 in DPA to income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing 1-4 family primary residences within the Esperanza Neighborhood. Structured as a 5-year forgivable grant at 0% interest. First closings under the program occurred in October 2023.
• Provides up to $30,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing in the Esperanza Neighborhood of New Brunswick, NJ. Sponsored by New Brunswick Tomorrow, the lead organization in the Esperanza Neighborhood Project. Structured as a 5-year forgivable second mortgage at 0% interest with no monthly payment.
• Funding comes from Nonprofit and Foundation.

Do you have to pay it back?

Esperanza 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?

Esperanza 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?

Esperanza 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 Middlesex County (within New York-Jersey City-White Plains, NY-NJ HUD MFI area), adjusted for household size. Cross-county statewide reference range: 1-person $100,100 up to 8-person $188,700. New Brunswick / Middlesex County specific 100% AMI: 1-person ~ $100,100; 4-person ~ $142,300; 8-person ~ $188,700.
• 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?

Esperanza 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?

Esperanza Down Payment Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

• The program targets specific areas: Eligible only for properties in the Esperanza Neighborhood of New Brunswick, NJ - a Latino/Hispanic-rooted community revitalization area led by New Brunswick Tomorrow. Place-based / culturally-targeted program; the geographic boundary is the Esperanza Neighborhood Project footprint.

How do you apply?

Applications for Esperanza 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 the Esperanza Neighborhood, 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.