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Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program

Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc. (LIHP), as agent for the Nassau County Office of Housing & Community Development · Nassau County, New York

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Assistance

$50,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$608,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 15 years

What is Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program?

Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Nassau County, New York, administered by Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc. (LIHP), as agent for the Nassau County Office of Housing & Community Development.

  • A HUD HOME-funded down payment and closing cost assistance program for first-time homebuyers purchasing an owner-occupied single-family home in Nassau County, NY. Provides up to $50,000 as a zero-interest deferred loan secured by a subordinate Note & Mortgage, forgiven after a 15-year affordability period. Administered by the Long Island Housing Partnership as agent for the Nassau County Office of Housing & Community Development. The program runs in annual cycles on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted.
  • Up to $50,000 in down payment/closing cost assistance.
  • Zero-interest deferred loan, fully forgiven after 15 years.
  • Can be combined with SONYMA, NYS AHC, and Employer Assisted Housing programs.
  • Free HUD-certified mortgage counseling through LIHP.
  • Available for new or existing homes, condos, co-ops, townhouses, and manufactured homes.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from U.S. HUD HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) Program funds, administered by Nassau County.

How much assistance does it provide?

Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $50,000 in assistance.

  • Buyer contribution: Minimum $5,000 of buyer's own funds/verifiable liquid assets (shown across 3 consecutive months at application); buyer must put at least 3% of purchase price down from own funds and cover all closing costs. Post-closing liquid assets capped at $61,550.
  • The program can be combined with Most other assistance programs and mortgages (e.g., SONYMA, NYS AHC, Employer Assisted Housing Program); NOT other Nassau County HOME-funded programs.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc. (LIHP), as agent for the Nassau County Office of Housing & Community Development determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program is forgiven after 15 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or ceasing to occupy as primary residence before the end of the 15-year affordability period; prorated recapture applies (100% in years 1-10, then declining 80%/60%/40%/20% in years 11-14, 0% after 15 years).
  • 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?

Nassau County HOME 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 — with exceptions: May own vacant land or a vacation timeshare provided no mortgage-interest or property-tax deduction was taken in the prior 3 years. FTHB defined as not having owned a home in the 3-year period immediately prior to application.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Middle credit score of all borrowers from three national repositories must be at least 580 (higher may be required by lenders). No outstanding collections/judgments; bankruptcy discharged 3+ years; foreclosure/deed-in-lieu 3+ years old.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) pre-purchase mortgage counseling (HUD-certified; ~2 hours, free). A LIHP counseling certificate issued within the last 12 months may satisfy the requirement.
  • Residency: Must occupy as principal residence throughout the 15-year affordability period; annual notarized monitoring affidavit required.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: Each applicant must be a U.S. Citizen or Qualified non-Citizen (per 8 USC 1641, 42 USC 1436a, 24 CFR Part 5 Subpart E).
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-08): pending review. ANNUAL CYCLE PROGRAM - application intake is currently CLOSED between cycles. The most recent (2025) cycle opened March 18, 2025 and closed June 18, 2025. As of June 2026 the next (2026) cycle had not yet opened; LIHP invites applicants to check back. Buyer cannot enter a purchase contract before receiving a Purchaser Certificate. A Nassau County representative attends all closings. UNCONFIRMED (omitted): exact 2026 cycle dates/funding; participating lender list. The County's own webpage shows stale 2018 figures; this record relies on the current 2025 guidelines ($50,000 / $608,000 / 15-year term).

The program excludes

  • Purchases above the $608,000 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?

Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Gross annual household income may not exceed 80% of HUD area median by household size (as of 9/2024): 1=$87,500; 2=$100,000; 3=$112,500; 4=$124,950; 5=$134,950; 6=$144,950; 7=$154,950; 8+=$164,950. Includes all income (OT, bonuses, pensions, SS, 401k distributions, tips). A minimum household income (historically ~$30,000) is also required.
  • 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?

Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price at $608,000.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family, Townhouse, Condo, Co-op, and Manufactured.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are eligible.

Where does it apply?

Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program is a federal program, so it is not limited to New York.

How do you apply?

Applications for Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program go through Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc. (LIHP), as agent for the Nassau County Office of Housing & 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 Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) pre-purchase mortgage counseling (HUD-certified; ~2 hours, free). A LIHP counseling certificate issued within the last 12 months may satisfy the requirement..

  2. Contact Long Island Housing Partnership, Inc. (LIHP), as agent for the Nassau County Office of Housing & Community Development to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; applications accepted until 75 applicants are qualified eligible or the cycle deadline, whichever comes first. Purchaser Certificates issued in order received., 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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