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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 2, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Freeport, NY (2026)

Population: 43,900 | Median home price: $635,000 | Est. closing costs: $12,500 - $19,000

Skyline of Freeport, NY

Freeport is a vibrant village in Nassau County on Long Island's South Shore, known for its waterfront dining district and proximity to Jones Beach. With a median home price around $635,000, buyers face a competitive market, but several strong assistance programs can help. The Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $50,000 as a forgivable loan for first-time buyers, and the LIHP Community Stabilization Program provides up to $30,000 in forgivable assistance. Both the CDLI and CDCLI offer low-interest down payment loans up to $75,000 for Nassau County buyers. Combined with SONYMA state mortgage programs and FHLBNY grants up to $30,000, eligible Freeport buyers could stack well over $100,000 in total assistance toward their home purchase.

County Programs in Nassau County

Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $50,000
First-time only:
Yes

State Programs in New York

FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes
SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL)
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Greater of $3,000 or 3% of the purchase price, capped at $15,000 (minimum $1,000); cannot exceed actual down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
Yes
SONYMA DPAL PLUS
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes

Federal Programs

FHA Loans
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
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
Type:
Government Property Sale Program
Amount:
50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:
Yes
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)
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
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)
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
HUD $100 Down Program
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
USDA Rural Development Loans
Type:
Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:
100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:
No
VA Loans
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

CDCLI Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Loan
Type:
Repayable Loan
Amount:
Up to $75,000
First-time only:
Yes
CDLI Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Loan
Type:
Repayable Loan
Amount:
Up to $75,000
First-time only:
Yes
Habitat for Humanity of Long Island Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home purchase with subsidized mortgage
First-time only:
Yes
LIHP Community Stabilization Program (CSP)
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Nassau County programs require household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income, though CDLI and CDCLI programs extend to 120% AMI. Review current HUD income limits for Nassau County based on your household size.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact the Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) at (631) 435-4710 for HUD-approved mortgage counseling, which is required for the Nassau County HOME program. CDLI and CDCLI also offer NeighborWorks homebuyer education courses.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a SONYMA-approved lender or contact a local credit union like Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union about the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program, which offers grants up to $30,000 for first-time buyers.

Step 4: Apply for the Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program. Through LIHP, apply for up to $50,000 in forgivable loan assistance. You must put a minimum of $5,000 toward the down payment from personal funds. Applications are available at www.lihp.org.

Step 5: Explore additional assistance. Apply to the LIHP Community Stabilization Program (up to $30,000) and contact CDCLI or CDLI about their low-interest down payment loans up to $75,000. Multiple programs can often be combined.

Step 6: Find a home in Freeport within program guidelines. Work with your real estate agent to identify eligible properties. The Nassau County program requires purchase of an owner-occupied single-family home within the county.

Step 7: Close on your new home. Your housing counselor and lender will coordinate the closing process, ensuring all assistance funds are applied correctly to your purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Freeport?+
Freeport buyers can access several layers of assistance. The Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $50,000 as a forgivable loan. The LIHP Community Stabilization Program provides up to $30,000 in forgivable assistance. CDLI and CDCLI each offer low-interest loans up to $75,000 for down payment and closing costs. The FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program provides grants up to $30,000 through participating credit unions. At the state level, SONYMA DPAL offers up to $15,000 and SONYMA DPAL PLUS up to $30,000. By combining eligible programs, qualified buyers could access substantial assistance.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
Most programs available in Freeport require first-time homebuyer status, which HUD defines as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years. The Nassau County HOME program, LIHP Community Stabilization Program, CDLI and CDCLI loans, and the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program all require first-time buyer status. However, federal programs like FHA and VA loans do not have this requirement.
What are the income limits for Freeport programs?+
The Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program requires a minimum household income of $30,000 and a maximum that does not exceed HUD-set limits (generally 80% AMI). The FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program standard tier uses 80% AMI, while HDP Plus extends to 120% AMI. The CDLI and CDCLI loan programs accept incomes up to 120% AMI. Income limits are updated annually by HUD and vary by household size. Contact LIHP at (631) 435-4710 for current details.
What homebuyer education is required?+
Most programs require HUD-approved homebuyer education. The Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) at (631) 435-4710 provides required mortgage counseling for the Nassau County HOME program. CDLI and CDCLI each offer their own NeighborWorks Home Buyer Education Programs, which are required for their respective loan programs. Only applicants who complete counseling through LIHP are eligible for the Nassau County HOME Purchase Certificate.
How does the Nassau County HOME forgivable loan work?+
The Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $50,000 as a zero-interest deferred loan that is forgiven after 15 years. You must be a first-time homebuyer, put at least $5,000 of your own funds toward the down payment, attend mortgage counseling through LIHP, and purchase an owner-occupied single-family home in Nassau County. If you sell or move before the 15-year period, you must repay all or a portion of the assistance.
Can I combine multiple assistance programs?+
Yes, many of these programs can be layered together. For example, you could combine the Nassau County HOME program ($50,000) with a CDCLI low-interest loan (up to $75,000) and SONYMA state down payment assistance. The LIHP Community Stabilization Program ($30,000) may also be combined with other sources. Each program has its own rules about combining assistance, so work with a HUD-approved housing counselor at LIHP to determine the best combination for your situation.

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