Homebuyer Programs in Perth Amboy, NJ (2026)
Perth Amboy is a historic waterfront city in Middlesex County, New Jersey, with a population of approximately 55,000 and a median home price around $490,000. The city offers one of the strongest local down payment assistance programs in New Jersey, providing up to $15,000 in CDBG-funded grants for first-time homebuyers purchasing within city limits. At the state level, the NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program adds up to $15,000 in forgivable loans, and first-generation buyers may qualify for an additional $7,000 through the NJHMFA First Generation program. Middlesex County also offers $5,000 through its American Dream Downpayment Program, and Greater Middlesex and Morris Habitat for Humanity builds affordable homes in the area. By stacking city, county, state, and federal programs, eligible Perth Amboy buyers could potentially access over $35,000 in total assistance.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Perth Amboy
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perth Amboy First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| Middlesex County American Dream Downpayment Program | Forgivable Loan | $5,000 | Yes | 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 → |
| Greater Middlesex & Morris Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Below-market-price home purchase with affordable mortgage ($170,000 - $230,000 depending on income level) | No | View → |
| Housing Partnership of New Jersey CDFI Homebuyer Loan | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $20,000 | 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:
- Up to $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $5,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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 affordable mortgage ($170,000 - $230,000 depending on income level)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000
- 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. The Perth Amboy DPA program requires household income at or below HUD low-to-moderate income limits. Your monthly mortgage payment must fall between 30% and 45% of gross monthly income. Review current HUD income limits for Middlesex County.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. All applicants must attend a Homebuyer Education Course from a HUD-certified agency. The Perth Amboy Housing Authority offers HUD-approved homebuyer workshops at 881 Amboy Avenue for $50 per person or $60 per couple. Contact Eugenia Hill at (732) 826-3110 ext. 631 to register.
- Step 3:
Apply for Perth Amboy down payment assistance. Contact the City of Perth Amboy Office of Housing and Social Services at (732) 826-4300 or visit 1 Olive Street, 1st Floor. The program provides up to $15,000 for first-time homebuyers purchasing in Perth Amboy. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8
- Step 4:
Apply for Middlesex County assistance. Contact Melissa Bellamy at (732) 745-3025 for the Middlesex County American Dream Downpayment Program, which provides an additional $5,000 in deferred-payment assistance.
- Step 5:
Get pre-approved through an NJHMFA participating lender. You will need an approved lender to access the NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program (up to $15,000) and First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Program.
- Step 6:
Find a home within program guidelines. The Perth Amboy DPA requires the home to be a one or two family, owner-occupied property within city limits. Homes built before 1978 must pass a lead-based paint inspection.
- Step 7:
Submit your applications and close. Your lender will coordinate the DPA funding with your mortgage. Allow extra processing time when stacking multiple assistance programs.