See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated October 18, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Jacksonville, NC (2026)
Jacksonville is a military-friendly city in Onslow County, home to Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, with a median home price around $270,000. The City of Jacksonville offers a Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program providing a 0% interest deferred second mortgage to help with down payment costs for families earning below 80% of the area median income. At the state level, the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment program provides $15,000 in forgivable assistance, while the NC Home Advantage Mortgage offers up to 3% of the loan amount. Military buyers benefit from VA loans with zero down payment and may also qualify for the FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product offering up to $17,500 in forgivable assistance. By combining city, state, and federal programs, Jacksonville homebuyers can stack significant assistance toward their purchase.
City Programs in Jacksonville
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Jacksonville Homeownership Down Payment Assistance | Deferred Loan | Varies based on available funding (0% interest deferred second mortgage) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Varies based on available funding (0% interest deferred second mortgage)
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in North Carolina
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Partners Loan Pool (CPLP) | Deferred Loan | Up to 25% of the sales price, maximum $50,000 | 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+ | Grant | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment | Forgivable Loan | $15,000 | Yes | View → |
| NC Home Advantage Mortgage | Deferred Loan | Up to 3% of the loan amount | No | View → |
| ReBuild NC Homeownership Assistance Program (HAP) | Forgivable Loan | Up to $30,000 in down payment assistance plus up to 5% of sales price for closing costs | Yes | View → |
| Self-Help Loan Pool (SHLP) | Zero-Interest Loan | Up to $50,000 (max $35,000 if home is within one of 24 CDBG Entitlement Cities in NC) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 25% of the sales price, maximum $50,000
- 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:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $15,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 3% of the loan amount
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000 in down payment assistance plus up to 5% of sales price for closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000 (max $35,000 if home is within one of 24 CDBG Entitlement Cities in NC)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crystal Coast Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable Habitat-built home with a zero-interest Habitat mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable Habitat-built home with a zero-interest Habitat mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The City of Jacksonville program requires household income below 80% of the area median income and the home must be within Jacksonville city limits. Military veterans may also qualify for additional state and federal programs.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Jacksonville Neighborhood Improvement Services offers homebuyer education courses several times a year at Jacksonville Station, 1300 N Marine Blvd. Call 910-938-5286 for the schedule. A Money Management Seminar is also available.
Step 3: Contact Jacksonville Neighborhood Improvement Services at 910-938-5286 to apply for the city's Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Connect with an NCHFA-approved lender to access state programs like the NC 1st Home Advantage Down Payment ($15,000) and NC Home Advantage Mortgage (up to 3% of loan amount). Active-duty military and veterans should explore VA loan options.
Step 5: Explore additional assistance. The Community Partners Loan Pool can provide up to $50,000, and the Self-Help Loan Pool offers up to $50,000 in additional support. Contact the Eastern Carolina Human Services Agency at 910-347-2151 for local housing counseling.
Step 6: Find a home within Jacksonville city limits and submit your full application for down payment and closing cost assistance. The city's program provides a 0% interest deferred loan to cover your down payment.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Jacksonville?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
Are there special programs for military buyers in Jacksonville?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What happens if I sell my home or stop living in it?+−
What if I have low income — are there other options?+−
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