See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 2, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Bridgeport, CT (2026)

Population: 149,000 | Median home price: $305,000 | Est. closing costs: $6,000 - $9,000

Bridgeport is Connecticut's largest city, located on Long Island Sound in Fairfield County with a median home price around $305,000. First-time buyers here can access the Home Bridgeport Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides up to $25,000 in forgivable loans through Building Neighborhoods Together. At the state level, the CHFA Time To Own program offers up to $50,000 in forgivable assistance for homes in high-opportunity areas or up to $25,000 elsewhere, and the CHFA DAP adds another $3,000 to $15,000. The Housing Development Fund offers the CT Forever program with up to $28,000 and the SmartMove program covering up to 25% of the purchase price. Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County also builds affordable homes for families earning 40-70% AMI. By stacking city and state programs, eligible Bridgeport buyers could potentially access over $75,000 in combined down payment and closing cost assistance.

City Programs in Bridgeport

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Home Bridgeport Down Payment Assistance Program	Forgivable Loan	Up to $25,000	Yes	View →

Home Bridgeport Down Payment Assistance Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $25,000
First-time only:: Yes

State Programs in Connecticut

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP)	Repayable Loan	$3,000 to $15,000	Yes	View →
CHFA Time To Own Forgivable Down Payment Assistance	Forgivable Loan	Up to $50,000 in high-opportunity areas; up to $25,000 in other areas	Yes	View →
HDF CT Forever Down Payment Assistance	Repayable Loan	Up to $28,000	Yes	View →
HDF Live Where You Work	Zero-Interest Loan	Up to $25,000	Yes	View →
HDF SmartMove Connecticut	Repayable Loan	Up to 25% of the purchase price	Yes	View →

CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP)

Type:: Repayable Loan
Amount:: $3,000 to $15,000
First-time only:: Yes

CHFA Time To Own Forgivable Down Payment Assistance

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $50,000 in high-opportunity areas; up to $25,000 in other areas
First-time only:: Yes

HDF CT Forever Down Payment Assistance

Type:: Repayable Loan
Amount:: Up to $28,000
First-time only:: Yes

HDF Live Where You Work

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Up to $25,000
First-time only:: Yes

HDF SmartMove Connecticut

Type:: Repayable Loan
Amount:: Up to 25% of the purchase price
First-time only:: Yes

Federal Programs

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
FHA Loans	Government-Insured Mortgage	Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)	No	View →
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)	Government Property Sale Program	50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes	Yes	View →
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment	No	View →
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment	No	View →
HUD $100 Down Program	FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase	Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.	No	View →
USDA Rural Development Loans	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value	No	View →
VA Loans	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)	No	View →

FHA Loans

Type:: Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:: Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
First-time only:: No

Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)

Type:: Government Property Sale Program
Amount:: 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:: Yes

Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
First-time only:: No

HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
First-time only:: No

HUD $100 Down Program

Type:: FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
Amount:: Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
First-time only:: No

USDA Rural Development Loans

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:: No

VA Loans

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
First-time only:: No

Nonprofit Programs

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	No down payment required; 0% interest 30-year mortgage	Yes	View →

Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: No down payment required; 0% interest 30-year mortgage
First-time only:: Yes

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for the Home Bridgeport program (80% AMI or below) and state programs like CHFA Time To Own (80-100% AMI) and HDF CT Forever. Each program has its own requirements.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. An 8-hour homebuyer education course is required for most programs. Building Neighborhoods Together (BNT) is a HUD-approved counseling agency in Bridgeport that offers courses. Contact them at 203-290-4255 at 570 State St., Bridgeport, CT 06604. The Housing Development Fund (HDF) also offers free orientation sessions and counseling at 940 Broad Street, Bridgeport. Call 203-338-9035.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. You will need a written pre-approval letter from a mortgage lender for a fixed-rate mortgage. For CHFA programs (Time To Own, DAP), you must use a CHFA-approved lender.

Step 4: Apply for the Home Bridgeport program. Contact BNT at 203-290-4255 or 475-282-4872 to schedule an appointment. You will need to contribute a minimum of 1% of the purchase price from your own funds.

Step 5: Apply for state assistance. Work with your CHFA-approved lender to apply for the Time To Own forgivable loan and/or the DAP. You can also contact HDF about the CT Forever or SmartMove programs.

Step 6: Find a home within Bridgeport city limits. The Home Bridgeport program requires a one- or two-family residence within city limits. Condominiums are not eligible for the city program.

Step 7: Close on your home. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate the closing process. Keep all program compliance requirements in mind, including owner-occupancy periods for forgivable loans.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Bridgeport?+

Bridgeport buyers can stack multiple programs for significant assistance. The Home Bridgeport program offers up to $25,000 in forgivable loans. The CHFA Time To Own program provides up to $50,000 (in high-opportunity areas) or $25,000 (other areas) in forgivable assistance. The CHFA DAP adds $3,000 to $15,000. The HDF CT Forever program offers up to $28,000, and the HDF SmartMove program provides up to 25% of the purchase price. Combining eligible programs could yield over $75,000 in total assistance.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+

Yes, most programs in Bridgeport require first-time buyer status. The Home Bridgeport program requires that you have not owned property in the past 5 years. The CHFA and HDF state programs define a first-time buyer as someone who has not owned a home in the past 3 years. Federal programs like FHA and USDA do not require first-time buyer status.

What is the maximum home price I can pay?+

The Home Bridgeport program does not list a specific purchase price cap but requires the home to be a one- or two-family residence within city limits. CHFA programs have purchase price limits that vary by county and are updated periodically. Check with a CHFA-approved lender for current Fairfield County limits. HDF programs also have income-based limits. With a median home price around $305,000, many Bridgeport homes fall within typical program limits.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Most programs require homebuyer education. The Home Bridgeport program requires an 8-hour class with a HUD-approved counseling agency. Building Neighborhoods Together (BNT) at 570 State St. is the most active HUD-approved and CHFA-certified counseling agency in Fairfield County. Contact them at 203-290-4255. The Housing Development Fund (HDF) at 940 Broad Street in Bridgeport also offers free orientation sessions and one-on-one counseling. Call 203-338-9035.

Is the Home Bridgeport loan really forgivable?+

Yes. The Home Bridgeport program provides interest-free forgivable loans. If you borrow less than $15,000, the loan is fully forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy. For larger amounts, forgiveness terms may differ. However, you must repay in full or in part if you sell, refinance, or move before the forgiveness period ends. The CHFA Time To Own loan is also forgivable, with one-tenth forgiven each year over 10 years.

Can I use Habitat for Humanity to buy a home in Bridgeport?+

Yes. Habitat for Humanity of Coastal Fairfield County builds affordable homes in the Greater Bridgeport area. Qualifying families with household income between 40% and 70% AMI can purchase a Habitat home with no down payment and a 0% interest 30-year mortgage. Applicants must invest 500 hours of sweat equity and attend homeowner education classes. Contact Habitat CFC to learn about availability and the application process.

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