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City of Trenton First Time Homebuyer Program
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · Single-family detached · Townhome · Rowhouse
Down payment assistance · Mercer County
Buying a home in Trenton, NJ
3 Trenton programs, 1 county program and 19 statewide.Trenton has 3 programs of its own, 1 more across Mercer County, and 19 statewide. Here is what each one offers, what the local market looks like, and who near you can walk you through it.
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Trenton’s own programs
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East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · 1-4 family residential property occupied as primary residence
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Trenton Neighborhood Initiative Homebuyer Assistance Program
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · 1-4 family residential property occupied as primary residence
Anywhere in MercerAnywhere in Mercer County
1 county program1 county program a Trenton homebuyer can also use
The Trenton marketThe Trenton housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Trenton
- 16.2% single-familysingle-family
- 43.4% townhousetownhouse
- 14.7% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 25.5% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.2% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. 2 of Trenton’s 4 local and county programs accept condos. East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program lists 1-4 family residential property occupied as primary residence. Trenton Neighborhood Initiative Homebuyer Assistance Program lists 1-4 family residential property occupied as primary residence.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Trenton’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
79.3%
of Trenton homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$139,800
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, Mercer County, 4-person household (2026)
$52,537
Trenton median household incomeMedian household income in Trenton (Census, 2024)
24 of the 85 programs here set their income limit as a share of Mercer County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Mercer County
Free help nearbyFree help near Trenton
6 HUD-approved counseling agencies within 15 miles6 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies within 15 miles
4 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 4 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Across New Jersey and nationwide
81 statewide & federal programs19 statewide programs, plus federal options
Trenton questions
Does Trenton have its own down payment program?
Yes, 3: City of Trenton First Time Homebuyer Program, East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program and Trenton Neighborhood Initiative Homebuyer Assistance Program. Each is for homes inside Trenton.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Trenton?
2 of Trenton’s 4 local and county programs accept condos. East Trenton Collaborative (ETC) Down Payment Assistance Program lists 1-4 family residential property occupied as primary residence. Trenton Neighborhood Initiative Homebuyer Assistance Program lists 1-4 family residential property occupied as primary residence. Each program’s page lists the kinds of homes it accepts, and the agency confirms it for the home you choose.
What is the income limit in Mercer County?
Each program sets its own. 24 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for Mercer County, adjusted for household size. HUD publishes the median each year; the 2026 figure is shown above and on the published limits page.
Where can I take a homebuyer class near Trenton?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 6 agencies are within 15 miles of Trenton. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
08601 · 08602 · 08603 · 08604 · 08605 · 08606 · 08607 · 08608 · 08609 · 08610 · 08611 · 08618 · 08619 · 08620 · 08625 · 08628 · 08629 · 08638 · 08640 · 08641 · 08645 · 08646 · 08647 · 08648 · 08650 · 08666 · 08677 · 08690 · 08691 · 08695
Nearby in Mercer
Sources
Sources: agency sites (July–August 2026), Census ACS 2024 5-year, HUD FY2026, HUD counseling list. Hey Prescott is not a lender.Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (July–August 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.