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Housing Partnership First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program

Housing Partnership (NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center) · Statewide County, New Jersey

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Assistance

$10,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

115% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$548,250

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is Housing Partnership First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program?

Housing Partnership First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Statewide County, New Jersey, administered by Housing Partnership (NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center).

  • The Housing Partnership (a NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center serving Northern NJ since 1992) offers $10,000 in down payment assistance to income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing a primary residence anywhere in New Jersey. Assistance is a zero-interest second mortgage that is 100% recoverable upon resale, refinance, or rental. Requires completion of the Housing Partnership's 8-hour homebuyer education workshop (within the prior 12 months) and a one-on-one financial coaching session.
  • $10,000 zero-interest second mortgage.
  • No monthly payments.
  • Statewide NJ eligibility.
  • Pairs with conventional or FHA first mortgages.
  • Funding comes from Housing Partnership program funds (private/nonprofit).

How much assistance does it provide?

Housing Partnership First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $10,000 in assistance.

  • Buyer contribution: Minimum 2% of selling price from buyer's own funds (3.5% own funds for FHA, not incl. DPA); plus $2,000 minimum reserves after closing.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Housing Partnership (NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Housing Partnership First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

  • Repayment is triggered by Resale, refinance, renting out the home, or obtaining a home equity loan; funds are 100% recoverable.
  • 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?

Housing Partnership First-Time Homebuyer 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 — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No published minimum; eligibility/credit determined via mandatory one-on-one financial coaching.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Housing Partnership 8-hour homebuyer education workshop (within past 12 months) plus a one-on-one financial coaching session.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-11): pending review. Page describes funds as '100% recoverable upon resale, refinance or renting out' with NO stated forgiveness period — assistance_type set to deferred_loan and forgiveness_years left blank; confirm whether any portion is forgiven over time before relying on it. Borrower cannot take a home equity loan without triggering repayment. Income eligibility does not guarantee funds (first-come). Liquid-asset rule: >15% of purchase price disqualifies (not a fixed dollar). Confirmed active: page modified 2025-12-10, 2025 HUD limits, 2026 copyright.

The program excludes

  • Purchases above the $548,250 price cap
  • Households above 115% 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?

Housing Partnership First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 115% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Gross household income (all adults 18+) under 115% of HUD median income. 2025 HUD 115% limits: 1p $106,019; 2p $121,164; 3p $136,310; 4p $151,455; 5p $163,571; 6p $175,686; 7p $187,802; 8p $199,917.
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’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?

Housing Partnership First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price at $548,250.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family and Condo.

Where does it apply?

Housing Partnership First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Statewide County, New Jersey.

How do you apply?

Applications for Housing Partnership First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program go through Housing Partnership (NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Housing Partnership 8-hour homebuyer education workshop (within past 12 months) plus a one-on-one financial coaching session..

  2. Contact Housing Partnership (NeighborWorks HomeOwnership Center) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First come, first served; funds limited., 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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