See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated March 29, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Plainfield, NJ (2026)
Plainfield is a diverse city of approximately 55,000 residents in Union County, New Jersey, with a median home price around $475,000. While Plainfield does not currently offer a city-funded down payment assistance program, buyers here can take advantage of several strong state and nonprofit programs. The NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $15,000 in forgivable loans, and first-generation buyers may qualify for an additional $7,000 through the NJHMFA First Generation program. The NJCC Statewide program offers up to $30,000 in assistance when funding is available. Greater Middlesex and Morris Habitat for Humanity actively builds affordable homes in the Plainfield area with zero-interest mortgages, and the Housing Partnership of New Jersey CDFI program offers up to $20,000 in homebuyer loans. By combining state, federal, and nonprofit programs, Plainfield buyers could potentially access over $22,000 in 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 → |
- 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
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most state programs require household income at or below specific limits for Union County. The NJHMFA programs generally serve first-time buyers who have not owned a home in the past three years. Review current HUD income limits for your household size.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The NJHMFA programs require an 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course. In Plainfield, Faith, Bricks and Mortar at 164 East Front Street offers HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer workshops. Call (908) 756-5774 to register. The Urban League of Union County also offers HUD-certified first-time homebuyer classes at (908) 351-7200.
Step 3: Get pre-approved through an NJHMFA participating lender. You will need to work with an approved lender to access the NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance Program (up to $15,000) and First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Program.
Step 4: Explore nonprofit programs. Contact Greater Middlesex and Morris Habitat for Humanity if you are interested in their affordable homeownership program, which builds homes in the Plainfield area with zero-interest mortgages. Also check with the Housing Partnership of New Jersey about their CDFI homebuyer loan program offering up to $20,000. Call (908) 757-4100 for Habitat information.
Step 5: Check NJCC funding availability. The New Jersey Community Capital Statewide DPA program offers up to $30,000 but funding cycles open and close. Visit the NJCC website to check if applications are currently being accepted.
Step 6: Find a home within program guidelines. State programs have county-specific purchase price limits for Union County that are updated annually. Contact your NJHMFA-approved lender for current limits.
Step 7: Submit your applications and close on your home. Your lender will coordinate the DPA funding with your mortgage. Allow extra processing time when stacking multiple assistance programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Plainfield?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Plainfield?+−
Does Plainfield have its own city down payment assistance program?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+−
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