See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 29, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Clifton, NJ (2026)
Clifton is a vibrant city of nearly 90,000 residents in Passaic County, located just 10 miles west of Manhattan with excellent commuter access via NJ Transit. With a median home price around $570,000, Clifton represents one of the more affordable options in the northern New Jersey market. While the city and county do not offer their own dedicated down payment assistance programs, buyers benefit from strong state and nonprofit options. The NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $15,000 as a forgivable loan, and first-generation buyers can qualify for an additional $7,000 through the NJHMFA First Generation Program. The NJCC Statewide DPA offers up to $30,000, the Housing Partnership of New Jersey CDFI Homebuyer Loan provides up to $20,000, and the NACA Best in America Mortgage Program eliminates down payment and closing costs entirely. By stacking eligible programs, qualified Clifton buyers could access over $50,000 in combined assistance.
State Programs in New Jersey
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program | Grant | Up to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
| NJCC Statewide Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
| NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000: $15,000 in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties; $10,000 in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, Sussex and Warren counties | Yes | View → |
| NJHMFA First Generation Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | $7,000 | Yes | View → |
| NJHMFA First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA or USDA first mortgage through NJHMFA participating lenders (rate quoted by lender); eligible for up to $15,000 NJHMFA down payment assistance | Yes | View → |
| NJHMFA HFA Advantage Mortgage Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | Competitive 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000: $15,000 in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset and Union counties; $10,000 in Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Salem, Sussex and Warren counties
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $7,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- 30-year fixed-rate FHA, VA or USDA first mortgage through NJHMFA participating lenders (rate quoted by lender); eligible for up to $15,000 NJHMFA down payment assistance
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Competitive 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage
- 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 → |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Housing Partnership of New Jersey CDFI Homebuyer Loan | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $20,000 | No | View → |
| NACA Best in America Mortgage Program | Zero-Interest Loan | No down payment, no closing costs, no fees, no mortgage insurance, below-market interest rate | No | View → |
| Passaic County Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market-price home purchase with affordable mortgage | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- No down payment, no closing costs, no fees, no mortgage insurance, below-market interest rate
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market-price home purchase with affordable mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Passaic County. The NJHMFA DPA requires that you have not owned a home in the past three years and a minimum credit score of 620.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved course is required for the NJHMFA DPA. New Jersey Citizen Action offers free homebuyer counseling in English and Spanish and can be reached at (973) 643-8800 ext. 210. The Housing Partnership of New Jersey also offers HUD-approved homebuyer education workshops.
Step 3: Contact a participating lender. Visit the NJHMFA website to be paired with up to three approved lenders in the Clifton area who can help you apply for the state DPA programs.
Step 4: Explore nonprofit programs. Contact the Housing Partnership of New Jersey for their CDFI Homebuyer Loan of up to $20,000. Attend a NACA homebuyer workshop to start their no-down-payment mortgage process. Passaic County Habitat for Humanity also builds affordable homes in the area and can be reached through habitatpc.org.
Step 5: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with your chosen lender to determine your budget. Ask about combining the NJHMFA DPA with the First Generation bonus if you qualify as a first-generation buyer.
Step 6: Find a home within program limits. Search for properties in Clifton that fall within any applicable purchase price limits for your programs. The NJHMFA sets limits by county that are updated periodically.
Step 7: Submit your applications and close. Your lender will coordinate the DPA paperwork alongside your mortgage. Expect the process to take 45 to 60 days from contract to closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Clifton, NJ?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Does Clifton or Passaic County have its own down payment assistance program?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What are estimated closing costs for buying a home in Clifton?+−
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