Connecticut First-Time Home Buyer Programs and Assistance
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) currently lists 3 programs for Connecticut buyers, with down payment help up to $25,000 through Time To Own - Forgivable Down Payment Assistance. Figures below were read from the agency's own pages on September 11, 2026.
Connecticut first-time buyer programs open now
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) is the state's housing finance agency (homebuyer programs page). It runs 2 down payment or closing-cost assistance programs alongside 1 below-market first mortgage. Has not owned and occupied a home as a primary residence in the past 3 years (federal definition); waived for purchases in a federally designated Targeted Area and for some CHFA programs (e.g., Next Move, veterans)
| Program | Type | Amount | First-time only | Min. credit | Income limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) Loan source | Second mortgage | Minimum $3,000, maximum $15,000 (4% of sales price or appraised value, whichever is less) | Yes | n/a | See program page |
| Time To Own - Forgivable Down Payment Assistance source | Forgivable second loan | Minimum $3,000, up to $25,000 (covers up to 20% of down payment and up to 5% of closing costs) | Yes | n/a | Set by CHFA's published Time To Own Area Median Income (AMI) limits, which vary by county and household size |
| CHFA Government Insured Mortgage Program source | First mortgage | See program page | Yes | n/a | See program page |
- CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) Loan. Terms: Second mortgage; rate equal to the CHFA first-mortgage rate or 5.00% (5.10%-5.50% APR), whichever is less Must pair with: A CHFA first mortgage Homebuyer education: required Program page
- Time To Own - Forgivable Down Payment Assistance. Terms: 0% interest, no monthly payment; 10% of principal forgiven annually until fully forgiven at year 10 Must pair with: A CHFA first mortgage Homebuyer education: required Program page
- CHFA Government Insured Mortgage Program. Terms: Below-market FHA, VA, or USDA-insured 30-year fixed rate first mortgage, combinable with CHFA down payment assistance Homebuyer education: required Program page
City and county programs in Connecticut
Local governments run their own down payment funds on top of the state programs. These can be combined with a state loan in most cases; each has its own income limit and area.
- City of Hartford: HouseHartford Homebuyer Assistance Program. Up to 20% of purchase price, maximum $40,000. Second mortgage. Income limit: Household income at or below 80% of Hartford Area Median Family Income (HUD-published, varies by household size). First-time buyers only. Official page
- City of New Haven: Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance (Livable City Initiative). Greater of 6% of purchase price or $20,000. Forgivable second loan. First-time buyers only. Official page
How little you can put down
You do not need 20% down. Conventional loans go as low as 3% (through programs like Fannie Mae HomeReady and Freddie Mac Home Possible), FHA loans start at 3.5%, and VA and USDA loans can require nothing down. On Connecticut's median-priced home (about $445,100), 3% down is roughly $13,353. Putting 20% down lets you skip private mortgage insurance, but most first-time buyers put down far less.
Who counts as a first-time buyer
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years, so many repeat buyers qualify again. Connecticut programs often add income and purchase-price limits, which is another reason to confirm the details with Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA).
Stack a buyer rebate on top in Connecticut
Down-payment assistance and a buyer commission rebate are two different things, and in Connecticut you can use both. Assistance from Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) helps with your down payment and closing costs; a buyer rebate returns about 2% of the price to you at closing (roughly $8,902 on a median-priced home), which can cover much of your closing bill.
See Connecticut buyer rebates → See Connecticut closing costs →
Frequently asked questions
What first-time home buyer programs are available in Connecticut?
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) lists 3 programs: CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) Loan, Time To Own - Forgivable Down Payment Assistance, CHFA Government Insured Mortgage Program. Down payment help runs up to $25,000. City of Hartford, City of New Haven also run local down payment programs.
How much down payment assistance can you get in Connecticut?
Up to $25,000 through Time To Own - Forgivable Down Payment Assistance (forgivable second loan). Other Connecticut programs offer different amounts; see the table on this page for each one.
Do you have to be a first-time buyer to qualify in Connecticut?
Has not owned and occupied a home as a primary residence in the past 3 years (federal definition); waived for purchases in a federally designated Targeted Area and for some CHFA programs (e.g., Next Move, veterans)
How much down payment do you need in Connecticut?
As little as 3% on a conventional loan, 3.5% on an FHA loan, and 0% on VA or USDA loans. On Connecticut's median-priced home (about $445,100), 3% is roughly $13,353. You do not need 20% down, though 20% lets you avoid mortgage insurance.
Who counts as a first-time home buyer?
For most programs, a first-time buyer is anyone who has not owned a primary residence in the last three years. Some Connecticut programs also have income and purchase-price limits, so check with Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA).
Can I combine assistance with a buyer rebate in Connecticut?
Yes. A buyer commission rebate is separate from down-payment assistance and is legal in Connecticut. Assistance helps with your down payment and closing costs up front; a rebate returns about 2% of the price at closing, which you can put toward closing costs. You can use both.
Official sources
- Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA)
- CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) Loan
- CHFA Time To Own - Forgivable Down Payment Assistance
- CHFA Government Insured Mortgage Program
- City of Hartford - Homebuyer Assistance (HouseHartford)
- City of New Haven - Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: down payment options and how to prepare
Connecticut program details last verified against Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) on September 11, 2026.
Read the full guide to the cash you need to buy →
This is general information, not financial advice. Program details, limits, and loan terms change; confirm the current rules with Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) and your lender before you rely on them.
See first-time buyer programs in all states