How much down payment assistance can I get in Norfolk?

Eligible buyers in Madison County can stack assistance from multiple sources: up to $30,000 from NENEDD Direct Homebuyer Assistance (lesser of $30,000 or 20% of project cost), DPA from NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska (set per home; sample transactions have shown around $20,000), up to $10,000 from the NIFA Homebuyer Assistance (HBA) Program, and up to $15,000 from the FHLBank Topeka Homeownership Set-Aside Program. Actual amounts depend on income, project type, and current funding availability.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer?

Most NIFA programs require first-time buyer status (no home ownership in the past 3 years), with exceptions for qualified veterans and buyers in NIFA Targeted areas. The NENEDD Direct Homebuyer Assistance program requires that you not currently own or have any interest in other real property at the time of application. NWNEN program requirements vary by funding source — confirm directly with the agency.

What is the maximum home price?

NENEDD does not publish a fixed citywide cap; the maximum assistance is the lesser of $30,000 or 20% of project cost, so the cap effectively scales with the home you choose. NWNEN typically pairs DPA with a home from its own pipeline, so the price is set by the project. NIFA publishes statewide purchase price limits that are updated periodically and generally exceed Norfolk median home values, so most Norfolk homes will fall within NIFA limits.

What homebuyer education is required?

NWNEN, NENEDD, and NIFA all require completion of an approved homebuyer education course. NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska delivers online education through the eHomeAmerica platform, which satisfies the requirement for all three programs. Plan to complete the course before you close on a home.

Are there homes available through Habitat for Humanity in Norfolk?

Yes. Norfolk Area Habitat for Humanity has built nearly 30 homes in Norfolk and continues to add new construction in partnership with USDA Rural Development, Northeast Community College, and the Northeast Nebraska Economic Development District. Selection is based on need, ability to repay an affordable mortgage, and willingness to partner through sweat equity. Verify current openings with the affiliate directly.

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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Norfolk, NE (2026)

Population: 26,054 | Median home price: $199,100 | Est. closing costs: $4,000 - $6,000

Norfolk is the regional hub of northeast Nebraska, anchoring Madison County with roughly 26,000 residents, a strong manufacturing and ag base, and an unemployment rate near 2.7%. The median Norfolk home value sits around $199,100 — well below the national median — and 63% of housing units are owner-occupied, signaling a stable buyer market. First-time buyers in Norfolk can stack state programs from the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority — including the NIFA Homebuyer Assistance (HBA) program for up to $10,000 and the FHLBank Topeka Homeownership Set-Aside Program for up to $15,000 in forgivable funds — with two strong local options: NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska (NWNEN), headquartered in Norfolk, which provides DPA on Purchase/Rehab/Resell homes (sample transactions around $20,000), and the NENEDD Direct Homebuyer Assistance Program, which can deliver up to $30,000 (or 20% of project cost) for income-qualified Madison County buyers. Norfolk Area Habitat for Humanity rounds out the local options with affordable Habitat-built homes for qualifying families.

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 →

FHLBank Topeka Homeownership Set-aside Program (HSP)

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $15,000
First-time only:: Yes

NIFA First Home Program

Type:: Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:: 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates
First-time only:: Yes

NIFA First Home Targeted Program

Type:: Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:: 30-year fixed-rate first mortgage at competitive below-market rates
First-time only:: No

NIFA Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA)

Type:: Repayable Loan
Amount:: Up to 5% of purchase price (capped at $10,000)
First-time only:: Yes

NIFA Welcome Home Program

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 →

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

FHLBA Community Partners Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: Yes

FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
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
NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska Purchase/Rehab/Resell Program	Deferred Loan	Down payment assistance amount determined per home (sample transactions have shown around $20,000)	No	View →
NENEDD Direct Homebuyer Assistance Program	Deferred Loan	Up to $30,000 or 20% of project cost (whichever is less)	No	View →
Norfolk Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable mortgage on a Habitat-built home; sweat equity replaces a traditional down payment	No	View →

NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska Purchase/Rehab/Resell Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Down payment assistance amount determined per home (sample transactions have shown around $20,000)
First-time only:: No

NENEDD Direct Homebuyer Assistance Program

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Up to $30,000 or 20% of project cost (whichever is less)
First-time only:: No

Norfolk Area Habitat for Humanity Homeownership

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgage on a Habitat-built home; sweat equity replaces a traditional down payment
First-time only:: No

How to Apply

Step 1:

Check your eligibility. NIFA, NWNEN, and NENEDD all use household income limits that vary by family size and county. Madison County HUD income limits change annually; verify Madison County figures with each program before applying. NENEDD applicants cannot currently own any other real property.

Step 2:

Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. NWNEN is a REACH affiliate that offers online education through the eHomeAmerica platform. NENEDD requires a Homebuyer Education Workshop before loan closing, and NIFA accepts approved Nebraska providers.

Step 3:

Get pre-approved for a NIFA-participating mortgage. NIFA programs are originated through participating lenders across Nebraska. Confirm that your lender is NIFA-approved before locking your rate.

Step 4:

Contact NWNEN or NENEDD. NeighborWorks Northeast Nebraska is at 213 South 1st Street, Norfolk, NE 68701, phone (402) 379-3311. NENEDD is at 111 South 1st Street, Norfolk, NE for Direct Homebuyer Assistance applications.

Step 5:

Plan to contribute at least $1,000 of your own money. Both NENEDD and NIFA HBA require a minimum borrower investment of $1,000 toward closing fees and pre-paid escrows.

Step 6:

Find a home that fits the program. NWNEN typically delivers DPA in connection with one of its rehabbed or newly built homes, so the home selection is paired with the assistance. NENEDD and NIFA work with most owner-occupied homes that meet program standards.

Step 7:

Submit your application and close on your home. Local DPA funds are limited and awarded as funding rounds are released. Move quickly once you are pre-approved and under contract.

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