See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 2, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in New Britain, CT (2026)
New Britain is a mid-sized city in Hartford County, Connecticut, known for its diverse community and affordable housing relative to the broader Hartford metro area. With a median home price around $305,000, New Britain offers accessible homeownership opportunities supported by a strong mix of local, state, and federal programs. The City of New Britain's Home Ownership Program (HOP) provides HOME-funded second mortgages at a fixed 3% interest rate, while the state's CHFA Time To Own program offers up to $50,000 in forgivable down payment assistance for homes in high-opportunity areas. Additional state programs like HDF CT Forever (up to $28,000) and HDF SmartMove (up to 25% of the purchase price) add further support. Habitat for Humanity of North Central Connecticut also builds affordable homes in the area with zero-interest mortgages. By stacking multiple programs, New Britain buyers can significantly reduce their out-of-pocket costs at closing.
City Programs in New Britain
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Britain Home Ownership Program (HOP) | Repayable Loan | — | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- 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 → |
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- $3,000 to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000 in high-opportunity areas; up to $25,000 in other areas
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $28,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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 → |
- 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
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- 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 North Central Connecticut Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | No down payment required; 0% interest mortgage | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- No down payment required; 0% interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs in New Britain require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income. The city's HOP program has a stricter limit of 65% AMI. Review each program's income and credit requirements before applying.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All major programs require a homebuyer education course. Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater New Britain (NHS) offers first-time homebuyer workshops in English and Spanish at the New Britain Housing Authority Center for Excellence, 57 Fern St. HDF also offers free homeownership counseling as a HUD-approved agency.
Step 3: Contact NHS Greater New Britain or HDF for one-on-one counseling. NHS can be reached through their website at nhsnb.org. HDF can be reached at hdfconnects.org. Both agencies help you understand which programs you qualify for and guide you through the application process.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. If you plan to use CHFA programs like Time To Own or DAP, you must work with a CHFA-approved lender. Call CHFA's homeownership hotline at 1-844-281-4663 for a list of approved lenders in the New Britain area.
Step 5: Find a home within program limits. The city's HOP program requires purchasing a 1-4 family property located in New Britain. State programs may have additional purchase price limits depending on the county.
Step 6: Submit your applications. Apply for HOP through the City of New Britain Community Development Division. State programs like Time To Own and DAP are applied for through your CHFA-approved lender. Allow 30-60 days for processing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in New Britain?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can I use the city HOP program together with state programs?+−
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