See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 5, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Nashua, NH (2026)
Nashua is New Hampshire's second-largest city, located in Hillsborough County along the Massachusetts border, with a thriving economy and strong quality of life that has earned it national recognition. With a median home price around $490,000, affordability is a challenge, but Nashua stands out among NH cities by offering its own city-funded down payment assistance of up to $10,000 through the First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program. On top of that, New Hampshire Housing provides up to $15,000 in forgivable cash assistance through the Home Flex Plus and Home Preferred Plus programs, and the First and First Plus bond program offers rate-advantaged mortgages with up to $15,000 in deferred assistance. The Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit adds up to $2,000 per year in federal tax savings. Habitat for Humanity Greater Nashua Manchester also offers affordable homeownership with zero-interest mortgages for qualifying families. By stacking the Nashua city grant with state programs, eligible buyers could access over $25,000 in combined assistance.
City Programs in Nashua
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Nashua First-Time Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in New Hampshire
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Gen Home NH | Deferred Loan | $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| NH Housing Community Heroes Initiative | Grant | $3,000 closing cost credit | Yes | View → |
| NH Housing First and First Plus | Deferred Loan | Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000) | Yes | View → |
| NH Housing Home Flex Plus with Cash Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000) | No | View → |
| NH Housing Home Preferred Plus with Cash Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000) | No | View → |
| NH Housing Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit (MCC) | Grant | Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $3,000 closing cost credit
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $2,000 per year in federal tax credits
- 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 Greater Nashua Manchester | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with 0% interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The City of Nashua program requires household income at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). NH Housing programs allow incomes up to $176,200. Contact the Nashua Community Development Division at (603) 589-3085 to verify your eligibility.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-certified homebuyer education workshop is required for both the Nashua city program and NH Housing cash assistance. In the Nashua area, courses are available through HOMEteam (866-701-9097), a collaborative program between NeighborWorks Southern New Hampshire, CATCH Neighborhood Housing, and Lakes Region Community Developers.
Step 3: Apply for the Nashua city grant. Submit your application to the City of Nashua Community Development Division for up to $10,000 in grant assistance. Funds can be used toward down payment, closing costs, or interest rate buy-down.
Step 4: Contact an NH Housing Approved Lender. They will help you determine which NH Housing mortgage product fits best, whether Home Flex Plus (FHA/VA/USDA), Home Preferred Plus (conventional), or First and First Plus (bond-financed), and pair it with up to $15,000 in cash assistance.
Step 5: Get pre-approved and explore the Home Start tax credit. Your lender can also help you reserve the Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit (MCC) for up to $2,000 per year in federal tax savings.
Step 6: Find a home in Nashua. For the city program, the home must be located within Nashua city limits and serve as your primary residence. Work with your real estate agent to find a home within program price limits.
Step 7: Close on your home. Your lender will coordinate the NH Housing cash assistance and tax credit reservation. The city grant will be applied at closing. You must contribute a minimum of 1% of the purchase price from your own funds if receiving NH Housing cash assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Nashua, NH?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Nashua?+−
What are the income limits for Nashua homebuyer programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required in Nashua?+−
What are estimated closing costs in Nashua, NH?+−
Can I combine the Nashua city grant with NH Housing programs?+−
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