See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated May 7, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Papillion, NE (2026)
Papillion is the Sarpy County seat and one of the fastest-growing suburbs in the Omaha metro, home to roughly 25,000 residents and a strong commuter base of teachers, nurses, Offutt Air Force Base personnel, and Omaha-area professionals. Median Papillion sale prices have run between $353,000 and $415,000 over the last year per Redfin and Movoto, well above most other Nebraska cities, which makes down payment assistance especially valuable here. First-time buyers 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: Habitat for Humanity of Omaha, which is currently building 30 affordable row homes in the Tallgrass Community in Papillion targeted at households at or below 60% of area median income, and Habitat for Humanity of Sarpy County, which provides additional homeownership opportunities across the county.
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 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. Habitat of Omaha targets households at 30% to 80% of Omaha-area median income, with the Tallgrass row homes specifically targeted at 60% AMI and below.
Complete a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. NIFA accepts courses delivered by approved Nebraska providers, and Habitat of Omaha includes mortgage and homeownership education as part of its Home Journey Program.
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.
Apply with Habitat for Humanity of Omaha if your income falls in the eligible range. The Home Journey Program leads to an affordable Habitat mortgage at a below-market interest rate. Reach out to homeownership@habitatomaha.org to start an application. The full process typically takes 6 to 24 months from application to closing.
For Tallgrass Community row homes, watch for application windows. Habitat is building 30 row homes near 72nd & Capehart Road with construction expected to wrap up in early 2027. Application windows open periodically as units approach completion.
Plan for at least $1,000 of your own money in NIFA HBA. NIFA HBA requires a $1,000 minimum borrower contribution toward the down payment.
Find a home and close. NIFA second-mortgage assistance is recorded at closing alongside your first mortgage. Plan to occupy the home as your primary residence for the full retention period.