Homebuyer Programs in North Bergen, NJ (2026)
North Bergen is a densely populated township in Hudson County, New Jersey, situated along the Hudson River with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and convenient access to New York City via the NJ Transit bus system and the nearby light rail. With a median home price around $550,000, homebuyers in North Bergen can take advantage of several strong state and county assistance programs to reduce their upfront costs. The NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $15,000 as a forgivable loan, and first-generation buyers can add another $7,000 through the NJHMFA First Generation Down Payment Assistance for a combined $22,000. The NJCC Statewide Down Payment Assistance Program offers grants of up to $30,000 based on need, and the Hudson County HOME Homebuyer Assistance Program provides an additional $5,000 to $8,000 for qualifying buyers. By stacking these programs, eligible North Bergen homebuyers could access over $60,000 in total assistance toward their purchase.
Top Homebuyer Programs in North Bergen
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson County HOME Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | $5,000 - $8,000 | No | View → |
| 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 → |
| Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market-price home purchase with income-based mortgage | Yes | 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 → |
| NJCC Statewide Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
| NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| NJHMFA First Generation Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | $7,000 | Yes | View → |
| NJHMFA First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | Competitive 30-year fixed-rate mortgage | Yes | View → |
| NJHMFA HFA Advantage Mortgage Program | Government-Insured Mortgage | Competitive 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $5,000 - $8,000
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Below-market-price home purchase with income-based mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $7,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Competitive 30-year fixed-rate mortgage
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Competitive 30-year fixed-rate conventional mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% to 100% of Area Median Income for Hudson County. The NJHMFA program sets the income limit at $131,700 for 1-2 person households and $151,455 for 3+ person households.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling course is required for most programs. New Jersey Citizen Action offers certified NeighborWorks housing counseling and can be reached at 973-643-8800. You can also call 800-569-4287 to find a HUD-approved counselor near you.
- Step 3:
Get pre-approved with an NJHMFA participating lender. You cannot apply for NJHMFA or NJCC assistance directly. Visit theroadhomenj.com for a list of approved lenders serving the North Bergen area.
- Step 4:
Apply for the Hudson County HOME Homebuyer Assistance Program. This $5,000 to $8,000 grant is available for low-to-moderate-income buyers purchasing in Hudson County. Contact Hudson County Housing and Community Development for current availability.
- Step 5:
Explore additional nonprofit options. NACA offers no-down-payment, no-closing-cost mortgages at below-market interest rates with no requirement for first-time buyer status. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Newark serves the broader Newark metro area with below-market-price homes.
- Step 6:
Find a home within program price limits. Single-family homes in Hudson County may not exceed approximately $640,000 under NJHMFA guidelines. Work with your lender to ensure the property meets all program requirements before submitting your offer.