See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 29, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Passaic, NJ (2026)
Passaic is a densely populated city in Passaic County, New Jersey, located along the Passaic River just 15 miles west of New York City. With a median home price around $535,000, buying here can feel challenging, but several assistance programs can help. The City of Passaic HOME First-Time Homebuyer Program offers up to $39,500 as a deferred loan, while the NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $15,000 as a forgivable loan, with an additional $7,000 available through the NJHMFA First Generation Down Payment Assistance for first-generation buyers. The NJCC Statewide Down Payment Assistance Program can add up to $30,000 in grant funding, and Passaic County Habitat for Humanity offers affordable homeownership opportunities for qualifying families. By stacking these programs, eligible buyers in Passaic could access over $90,000 in combined assistance.
City Programs in Passaic
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Passaic HOME First-Time Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $39,500 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $39,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
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 Area Median Income for Passaic County. Review each program's specific income thresholds before applying.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required for most programs. Contact the Housing Partnership of New Jersey at (732) 940-0009 or Passaic County Habitat for Humanity to find local course options.
Step 3: Contact the City of Passaic Department of Community Development. They administer the HOME First-Time Homebuyer Program offering up to $39,500. Call City Hall to request an application and learn about current funding availability.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Contact an NJHMFA-participating lender to apply for the NJHMFA First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Program, which bundles a competitive 30-year fixed-rate loan with up to $15,000 in forgivable down payment assistance. Visit theroadhomenj.com for a list of approved lenders.
Step 5: Apply for additional assistance. If you are a first-generation homebuyer, you may qualify for an extra $7,000 through the NJHMFA First Generation Down Payment Assistance. Also explore the NJCC Statewide DPA Program for up to $30,000 in grant funding.
Step 6: Find a home within program guidelines. Work with your lender and a real estate agent to find a property within the City of Passaic that meets program requirements.
Step 7: Submit your applications and close. Your lender will coordinate program applications alongside your mortgage. Allow several weeks for processing, and stay in close contact with all parties involved.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Passaic?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Are there programs for first-generation homebuyers in Passaic?+−
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