How much down payment assistance can I get in South Jersey?

South Jersey first-time homebuyers may qualify for up to $30,000 through the Homebuyer Dream Program (FHLB-NY), up to $25,000 through Camden or Gloucester County programs, and up to $15,000 through the statewide NJHMFA DPA. Some buyers can stack multiple programs.

Verified Local NJ Programs

South Jersey First-Time Buyer Grants: Up to $30,000 in Free Money

Most first-time buyers in South Jersey don't know they qualify for tens of thousands in free money. Here's every program, explained plainly.

See If I Qualify

No credit pull. No obligation.

FHLB-NY NJHMFA HUD Programs

Program Highlights

$15k

NJHMFA State DPA

Forgivable 0% interest loan

$25k

County Programs

Camden & Gloucester Counties

$30k

Homebuyer Dream

Federal grant program

What Is Down Payment Assistance?

Down Payment Assistance (DPA) is money provided by state housing agencies, federal home loan banks, or individual counties to help you buy your first home. In most cases, it's money you don't have to pay back if you stay in the home for a set period (usually 5 to 10 years).

South Jersey has unusually good programs right now thanks to both federal HUD funding and our inclusion in the FHLB-NY district.

💡The key insight most buyers miss: Many of these programs can be STACKED.

See How Much You Could Get

Take this quick 3-question quiz to estimate your potential down payment assistance across all available state and county programs.

1. What county are you buying in?

2. Is this your first time owning a home?

Or, have you not owned a home in the past 3+ years?

3. Are you a first-generation homebuyer?

This means your parents/guardians do not currently own a home.

Every South Jersey Grant, Explained

The detailed breakdown of exactly what's available and what it takes to qualify.

NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance

NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency

Up to $15,000

Coverage Area

Statewide (all NJ counties)

Forgiveness Timeline

5 years

Income Requirement

Up to 140% of Area Median Income (varies by county & household size)

Key Requirements:

First-time homebuyer (no ownership in past 3 years)
Must use an NJHMFA-participating lender
Home must be primary residence in New Jersey
Minimum 620 FICO credit score

Active Program

Official Source

NJHMFA First Generation Homebuyer Program

NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency

+$7,000 Additional

Coverage Area

Statewide

Forgiveness Timeline

5 years

Income Requirement

Same as NJHMFA DPA (up to 140% AMI)

Key Requirements:

Must qualify for standard NJHMFA DPA
First-generation homebuyer: parents/guardians have no current residential property ownership
OR: buyer and all household members have not owned a home in the past 3 years
NJ foster care alumni also qualify

Active Program

Official Source

Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program

Camden County (funded by HUD)

Up to $25,000

Coverage Area

Camden County only

Forgiveness Timeline

5–10 years depending on amount

Income Requirement

Low-to-moderate income. Limits vary by household size.

Key Requirements:

First-time homebuyer (no ownership in past 3 years)
Purchase must be in Camden County (excludes Camden City, Tavistock Borough, Pine Valley Borough)
Buyer contribution of up to 3% of purchase price encouraged
Assistance limited to max 5% of purchase price
Home must be primary residence

Active Program

Official Source

Gloucester County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance

Gloucester County Dept. of Economic Development (funded by HUD)

Up to $25,000

Coverage Area

Gloucester County only

Forgiveness Timeline

Deferred (check with county for current forgiveness terms)

Income Requirement

At or below 80% of Area Median Income

Key Requirements:

Household income at or below 80% AMI
First-time homebuyer (no ownership in past 3 years)
Must purchase within Gloucester County
Buyer must contribute 3% of own funds
Must complete 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course
Must maintain 3 months cash reserves after closing
Property must be single-family home

Active Program

Official Source

Homebuyer Dream Program® (FHLB-NY)

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York

Up to $30,000

⚠️ Limited Funds: Apply early. Funds are distributed first-come, first-served.

Coverage Area

Salem, Gloucester, Cape May, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland Counties

Forgiveness Timeline

5 years (true grant if conditions met)

Income Requirement

Standard HDP: ≤80% AMI. HDP Plus: >80% to ≤120% AMI.

Key Requirements:

First-time homebuyer
Household income at or below 80% AMI (standard) or 80–120% AMI (HDP Plus)
Must have a fully executed Purchase & Sales Contract BEFORE applying
Must complete homeownership counseling course and obtain certificate
Minimum $1,000 buyer contribution
Must work with a participating FHLBNY member lender

Active Program

Official Source

NJCC Statewide Down Payment Assistance

New Jersey Community Capital

Up to $30,000

⚠️ Currently Paused: 2025 funds fully committed as of July 15, 2025. Expected to reopen for 2026 funding cycle. Connect with a lender now to be ready when funds open.

Coverage Area

Statewide

Forgiveness Timeline

Grant (no repayment if conditions met)

Income Requirement

Varies by household size

Key Requirements:

HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling within past 12 months
Preapproval letter from approved lender
Fully executed purchase contract
Must close first mortgage within 90 days of commitment
ITIN holders eligible

Check Availability

Official Source

Frequently Asked Questions

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Use our quiz tool to see what programs are active in your county and if you meet the baseline requirements like first-time buyer status and income limits.

Step 2: Get pre-approved with a participating lender

You must work with an NJHMFA participating lender. They will review your credit, structure the loan properly, and provide a pre-approval letter showing exactly how much you can afford with the grant included.

Step 3: Complete a homebuyer education course

Required for most programs. You'll complete an 8-hour HUD-approved course (usually available online) and receive a certificate. We can provide a list of approved counselors.

Step 4: Find your home & sign a contract

Shop for homes with your realtor. Remember: For many programs, the grant reservation officially happens AFTER you have a signed purchase contract — not before.

Step 5: Closing & funding

Your lender submits the final grant reservation and paper work. The funds are wired directly to the title company and applied at the settlement table. No cash is needed from you for the grant portion.

It depends on the program, but often NO. Programs like the FHLB-NY Homebuyer Dream Program are true grants if you stay in the home for 5 years. NJHMFA programs are 0% interest, forgivable loans (no monthly payments, forgiven after 5 years). You usually only pay them back if you refinance, sell, or move out before the 5-to-10 year forgiveness period ends.

For NJHMFA's standard Down Payment Assistance program, you need a minimum FICO credit score of 620. If your score is slightly below that, don't panic — some county programs don't have hard credit minimums, though the first mortgage loan you pair it with (like an FHA loan) will typically require at least a 580.

Yes! This is the secret many buyers miss. If you qualify, you can often combine statewide programs (like NJHMFA's $15,000 DPA + $7,000 First-Generation Add-On) with county programs (like Camden's $25,000 grant). Make sure you work with a lender experienced in structuring stacked grants.

You are considered a first-time homebuyer if you (and anyone buying with you) have not owned a primary residence in the past 3 years. This means if you owned a home 5 years ago but rent now, you qualify as a first-time buyer.

Almost all grants require completing an 8-hour education course before closing. These are standard, inexpensive (or free) courses available online or in person that teach you about mortgages, home maintenance, and budgeting. As your lender, we will provide you with a list of approved agencies.

Yes, Cherry Hill is covered. The Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program covers almost all municipalities in the county EXCEPT Camden City proper, Tavistock Borough, and Pine Valley Borough.

The Homebuyer Dream Program (FHLB-NY) provides up to $30,000 and covers Salem, Gloucester, Cape May, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, and Cumberland counties.

If you sell, refinance, or move out before the forgiveness period ends (usually 5 years), you will have to repay a prorated amount of the grant out of the proceeds of the sale or refinance. After the forgiveness period, the lien is removed and you owe nothing.

Absolutely. Down Payment Assistance is frequently paired with FHA loans, which require just 3.5% down. The grant can easily cover your entire 3.5% requirement, plus help with closing costs.

Yes. NJHMFA statewide programs usually cap income at 140% of the Area Median Income (AMI), which is quite generous. County-specific programs and certain tiers of the Homebuyer Dream Program cap income lower, usually at 80% AMI.

Find Out Exactly What You Qualify For

Tell us a little about your situation and we'll connect you with a local South Jersey lender who specializes in these programs. Safe, secure, and no obligation.

🔒

Safe & Secure: We do not pull your credit. No hard inquiry. Your info is only shared with a licensed NJ mortgage professional.

Program availability, amounts, and eligibility requirements are subject to change without notice. South Jersey Home Loans does not administer or guarantee approval for any of the programs listed above. Information is provided for educational purposes and was last verified in March 2026. Always confirm current program terms with an NJHMFA-approved participating lender or the administering agency directly. Links to official sources are provided throughout this page.

Equal Housing Opportunity

Verified Local NJ Programs

South Jersey First-Time Buyer Grants: Up to $30,000 in Free Money

Most first-time buyers in South Jersey don't know they qualify for tens of thousands in free money. Here's every program, explained plainly.

See If I Qualify

No credit pull. No obligation.

FHLB-NY NJHMFA HUD Programs

Program Highlights

$15k

NJHMFA State DPA

Forgivable 0% interest loan

$25k

County Programs

Camden & Gloucester Counties

$30k

Homebuyer Dream

Federal grant program

What Is Down Payment Assistance?

South Jersey has unusually good programs right now thanks to both federal HUD funding and our inclusion in the FHLB-NY district.

💡The key insight most buyers miss: Many of these programs can be STACKED.

See How Much You Could Get

Take this quick 3-question quiz to estimate your potential down payment assistance across all available state and county programs.

1. What county are you buying in?

2. Is this your first time owning a home?

Or, have you not owned a home in the past 3+ years?

3. Are you a first-generation homebuyer?

This means your parents/guardians do not currently own a home.

Every South Jersey Grant, Explained

The detailed breakdown of exactly what's available and what it takes to qualify.

NJHMFA Down Payment Assistance

NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency

Up to $15,000

Coverage Area

Statewide (all NJ counties)

Forgiveness Timeline

5 years

Income Requirement

Up to 140% of Area Median Income (varies by county & household size)

Key Requirements:

First-time homebuyer (no ownership in past 3 years)
Must use an NJHMFA-participating lender
Home must be primary residence in New Jersey
Minimum 620 FICO credit score

Active Program

Official Source

NJHMFA First Generation Homebuyer Program

NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency

+$7,000 Additional

Coverage Area

Statewide

Forgiveness Timeline

5 years

Income Requirement

Same as NJHMFA DPA (up to 140% AMI)

Key Requirements:

Must qualify for standard NJHMFA DPA
First-generation homebuyer: parents/guardians have no current residential property ownership
OR: buyer and all household members have not owned a home in the past 3 years
NJ foster care alumni also qualify

Active Program

Official Source

Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program

Camden County (funded by HUD)

Up to $25,000

Coverage Area

Camden County only

Forgiveness Timeline

5–10 years depending on amount

Income Requirement

Low-to-moderate income. Limits vary by household size.

Key Requirements:

First-time homebuyer (no ownership in past 3 years)
Purchase must be in Camden County (excludes Camden City, Tavistock Borough, Pine Valley Borough)
Buyer contribution of up to 3% of purchase price encouraged
Assistance limited to max 5% of purchase price
Home must be primary residence

Active Program

Official Source

Gloucester County Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance

Gloucester County Dept. of Economic Development (funded by HUD)

Up to $25,000

Coverage Area

Gloucester County only

Forgiveness Timeline

Deferred (check with county for current forgiveness terms)

Income Requirement

At or below 80% of Area Median Income

Key Requirements:

Household income at or below 80% AMI
First-time homebuyer (no ownership in past 3 years)
Must purchase within Gloucester County
Buyer must contribute 3% of own funds
Must complete 8-hour HUD-approved homebuyer education course
Must maintain 3 months cash reserves after closing
Property must be single-family home

Active Program

Official Source

Homebuyer Dream Program® (FHLB-NY)

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York

Up to $30,000

⚠️ Limited Funds: Apply early. Funds are distributed first-come, first-served.

Coverage Area

Salem, Gloucester, Cape May, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cumberland Counties

Forgiveness Timeline

5 years (true grant if conditions met)

Income Requirement

Standard HDP: ≤80% AMI. HDP Plus: >80% to ≤120% AMI.

Key Requirements:

First-time homebuyer
Household income at or below 80% AMI (standard) or 80–120% AMI (HDP Plus)
Must have a fully executed Purchase & Sales Contract BEFORE applying
Must complete homeownership counseling course and obtain certificate
Minimum $1,000 buyer contribution
Must work with a participating FHLBNY member lender

Active Program

Official Source

NJCC Statewide Down Payment Assistance

New Jersey Community Capital

Up to $30,000

⚠️ Currently Paused: 2025 funds fully committed as of July 15, 2025. Expected to reopen for 2026 funding cycle. Connect with a lender now to be ready when funds open.

Coverage Area

Statewide

Forgiveness Timeline

Grant (no repayment if conditions met)

Income Requirement

Varies by household size

Key Requirements:

HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling within past 12 months
Preapproval letter from approved lender
Fully executed purchase contract
Must close first mortgage within 90 days of commitment
ITIN holders eligible

Check Availability

Official Source

Frequently Asked Questions

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Use our quiz tool to see what programs are active in your county and if you meet the baseline requirements like first-time buyer status and income limits.

Step 2: Get pre-approved with a participating lender

Step 3: Complete a homebuyer education course

Required for most programs. You'll complete an 8-hour HUD-approved course (usually available online) and receive a certificate. We can provide a list of approved counselors.

Step 4: Find your home & sign a contract

Shop for homes with your realtor. Remember: For many programs, the grant reservation officially happens AFTER you have a signed purchase contract — not before.

Step 5: Closing & funding

Yes, Cherry Hill is covered. The Camden County First-Time Homebuyers' Program covers almost all municipalities in the county EXCEPT Camden City proper, Tavistock Borough, and Pine Valley Borough.

The Homebuyer Dream Program (FHLB-NY) provides up to $30,000 and covers Salem, Gloucester, Cape May, Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, and Cumberland counties.

Absolutely. Down Payment Assistance is frequently paired with FHA loans, which require just 3.5% down. The grant can easily cover your entire 3.5% requirement, plus help with closing costs.

Find Out Exactly What You Qualify For

Tell us a little about your situation and we'll connect you with a local South Jersey lender who specializes in these programs. Safe, secure, and no obligation.

🔒

Safe & Secure: We do not pull your credit. No hard inquiry. Your info is only shared with a licensed NJ mortgage professional.

Equal Housing Opportunity