See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Bellevue, NE (2026)
Bellevue is Nebraska's third-largest city, located in Sarpy County just south of Omaha and home to Offutt Air Force Base. With a median home price around $290,000 — comparable to Omaha — Bellevue blends suburban affordability with strong demand from military families and Omaha-metro commuters. Bellevue buyers benefit from a full slate of state programs: the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to 5% of the purchase price (capped at $10,000) as a 1% second mortgage, and the FHLBank Topeka Homeownership Set-aside Program (HSP) provides up to $15,000 as a forgivable grant for buyers at or below 80% AMI. Locally, Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County is bringing 30 affordable single-family homes to Papillion's Tallgrass Community for first-time buyers, and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha (which serves Sarpy County) offers 30-year affordable mortgages with sweat equity. Active-duty military buyers based at Offutt AFB can layer NIFA assistance with VA loans for zero-down purchases. Combined, Bellevue's available programs can stack $25,000 or more toward a down payment and closing costs for qualified buyers.
State Programs in Nebraska
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBank Topeka Homeownership Set-aside Program (HSP) | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| NIFA First Home Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates | Yes | View → |
| NIFA First Home Targeted Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates | No | View → |
| NIFA Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA) | Repayable Loan | Up to 5% of purchase price (capped at $10,000) | Yes | View → |
| NIFA Welcome Home Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 5% of purchase price (capped at $10,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates
- First-time only:
- No
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 → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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 Omaha Home Journey Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | Affordable home with 30-year mortgage; may include down payment assistance | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County Homeownership Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | Affordable home with 0% interest mortgage; may include down payment assistance | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Affordable home with 30-year mortgage; may include down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Affordable home with 0% interest mortgage; may include down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Check your eligibility. NIFA's statewide household income limit is $175,500 (effective 7/7/2025) and most local Sarpy County programs target buyers at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Active-duty military buyers based at Offutt AFB can qualify for VA loans with no down payment and no PMI, often combined with NIFA assistance.
Complete approved homebuyer education. Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County and Habitat for Humanity of Omaha both offer mortgage-readiness education for their applicants. NIFA-required homebuyer education is also available through eHomeAmerica online or through Family Housing Advisory Services in Omaha at 402-934-6741.
Contact a local housing partner. For new-construction affordable homes, contact Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County about the Tallgrass Community in Papillion. For broader Omaha-metro Habitat options, contact Habitat for Humanity of Omaha at 402-257-5657. For rental and supportive housing assistance, contact the Housing Foundation for Sarpy County at 402-734-5448.
Get pre-approved through a NIFA participating lender. NIFA loans must be originated by approved lenders. VA-eligible military buyers should ensure their lender can layer NIFA second-mortgage assistance with a VA first mortgage.
Find a home within program limits. NIFA's one-unit purchase price limit is $485,500. The Sarpy County average sale price is approaching $350,000, which leaves room within NIFA limits for most buyers. Habitat homes in the Tallgrass Community are priced well below market for qualifying families.
Submit your application. Plan for 30-60 days from contract to close. Buyers must contribute a minimum of $1,000 of their own money to most NIFA programs. Coordinate with your lender to layer first mortgage, NIFA second, and FHLBank HSP if available through that institution.
Close on your home and maintain occupancy. FHLBank HSP requires 5 years of primary-residence occupancy for full forgiveness. NIFA HBA second mortgage is repayable over 10 years at 1% interest. Habitat homes carry their own occupancy and resale terms.