Several homebuyer programs in the state offer significant advantages to Connecticut residents looking to purchase their first home. Programs may offer down payment assistance, reduced interest rates, and more. Many of the programs can be paired with one another.
Information on the following first-time homebuyer programs is excerpted from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) and the HUD Homeownership Program websites. The programs require borrowers to complete a free pre-assistance homebuyer education program. For more information on these education programs, visit https://www.chfa.org/homebuyers/homebuyer-education/.
Down Payment Assistance Program:
If you have the monthly income to pay mortgage payments, but not enough money to pay the upfront costs, you may qualify for a low-interest loan to help you cover the down payment and closing costs. Borrowers can finance the down payment and closing costs with a DAP loan. A DAP loan is a second mortgage on your home.
For more information, visit: https://www.chfa.org/homebuyers-homeowners/homebuyers/downpayment-assistance-program-dap-loan/.
HFA Advantage and HFA Preferred Loans:
The HFA Advantage and HFA Preferred mortgage can help borrowers save on insurance costs, along with CHFA’s below-market interest rate. If you are not a first-time homebuyer, you may qualify for these mortgages if you are purchasing a home in a Targeted Area
For more information, visit: https://www.chfa.org/homebuyers-homeowners/homebuyers/hfa-preferred-mortgage/
Home of Your Own Program:
CHFA can help borrowers with disabilities purchase their first home. If you or a family member who will be living in your home have a documented disability, you may be eligible for a reduced-interest rate loan through the “Home of Your Own” Program.
For more information, visit: https://www.chfa.org/homebuyers/disabled-programs/
HUD Homeownership Program:
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) homeownership program allows families that are assisted under the HCV program to use their voucher to buy a home and receive monthly assistance in meeting homeownership expenses.
For more information visit: https://www.hud.gov/program_offices/public_indian_housing/programs/hcv/homeownership
Teachers, Military and Police Mortgage Assistance Programs:
CHFA extends special benefits to teachers, military families, and members of law enforcement who are preparing for homeownership.
Teachers: For more information, visit: https://www.chfa.org/homebuyers/teacher-programs/
Police: For more information, visit: https://www.chfa.org/homebuyers/police-programs/
Military: For more information, visit: https://www.chfa.org/homebuyers/military-program/
Time to Own Program:
NOTE: Time to Own Program open if funding is available.
The Time to Own Program is a 0% interest rate loan with no monthly payments. Ten percent of the principal balance will be forgiven annually, on the anniversary date of the loan closing, until the loan is fully forgiven on the tenth anniversary. Assistance may be used to cover up to a 20% down payment and up to 5% closing costs. Loan amounts are up to $50,000 for homes located in High or Very High Opportunity Areas (See: CT Opportunity Areas at chfa.org). Loan amounts up to $25,000 for homes located in areas other than High or Very High Opportunity Areas.
NOTE: As of March 1, 2024, the Time to Own program may no longer be paired with the Down Payment Assistance program.
For more information, visit: https://www.chfa.org/homebuyers-homeowners/homebuyers/time-to-own-down-payment-assistance-program-loan/
Smart Rate Program:
A significant obstacle to homeownership is a potential homebuyer’s inability to qualify for the purchase of a home due to student loan debt. For a limited time, the Smart Rate program will help households overcome the obstacle of student loan debt to afford their first home.
Benefits include:
For more information visit https://www.chfa.org/smartrate/
Municipal and Nationwide Programs:
Some municipalities in Connecticut offer first-time homebuyer programs. For more information on these programs, check the website for your city or town.
For information on other homebuyer assistance programs available nationwide, visit https://homebuyer.com/learn/first-time-home-buyer-grants-programs
Individuals wanting to receive counseling on purchasing a home, can visit the following HUD Approved Housing Counseling, and other available programs, listed in the 2-1-1 database:
Homebuyer/Home Purchase Counseling
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SOURCES: Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA); U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); Homebuyer.com
PREPARED BY: 211/jm
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: August2024