NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Eligibility Wizard
New Jersey's Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA) offers a forgivable second loan of up to $15,000 toward down payment and closing costs — plus an extra $7,000 for first-generation buyers, for as much as $22,000 total. Answer a few questions to see whether you likely qualify. This is an informational screen, not an application.
Your details
A first-generation homebuyer is a first-time buyer who is either: (A) someone whose parents or legal guardians have no present ownership interest in any residential real estate anywhere (and neither the buyer, their spouse/domestic partner, nor any household member has owned a principal residence in the prior 3 years); or (B) someone who was at any time placed in foster care in the State of New Jersey.
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What the programs give you
The assistance is a five-year forgivable second loan with no interest and no monthly payments. It is fully forgiven if you keep the home as your principal residence for five years from closing and do not refinance or sell the first mortgage before then. It must be paired with an NJHMFA first mortgage — the First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Program (a 30-year fixed-rate FHA/VA/USDA loan) or another eligible NJHMFA first-mortgage product — obtained through an NJHMFA participating lender. DPA counties awarding $15,000: Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Union. Counties awarding $10,000: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, Sussex, Warren.
Next steps
- Confirm the current income & purchase-price limits for your exact situation on NJHMFA's official page — limits change and depend on whether the home is in an Urban Target Area (UTA), which allows higher income limits.
- Apply through an NJHMFA participating lender. The DPA and First-Generation programs cannot be applied for directly; the lender originates the NJHMFA first mortgage and layers the assistance on top. You can be matched with participating lenders at theroadhomenj.com.
- Ask the lender to verify your credit score and debt-to-income ratio. A FICO score of about 620 or higher is generally required; the lender confirms the exact thresholds for your loan product.
- Check the property type. Eligible homes include single-family, condo, townhome, permanently affixed manufactured/mobile home, or a 2–4 unit dwelling where you occupy one unit as your principal residence.
Figures current as of June 2026. Income and purchase-price limits shown here are NJHMFA's statewide (non-UTA) limits, effective per the official fact sheet updated 06.17.26; DPA award tiers and program terms are from NJHMFA's DPA and First-Generation fact sheets. Homes in an Urban Target Area qualify for higher income limits than shown. Limits are updated at least annually and can change without notice. This tool is an informational eligibility screen, not an application, approval, or financial advice — verify every figure with NJHMFA or a participating lender before relying on it. Source: nj.gov/dca/hmfa — Loan Products Fact Sheets & Materials.