Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) Programs:
Updated July 28, 2026NIFA pairs below-market first mortgages with borrower-friendly down payment assistance through participating lenders. Key NIFA pages: NIFA Homebuyers & Renters and the HBA program summary (PDF, revised 05/2020). See NIFA's Welcome Home page for current income and purchase limits and a lender list: NIFA — Welcome Home.
Nebraska First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Programs:
Eligibility: First-time buyers (no primary residence in past 3 years) unless buying in a NIFA targeted area or eligible as a qualified veteran. Homebuyer education is required for many first-time buyers on NIFA products.
Offerings: 30-year fixed options delivered via FHA/VA/USDA or conventional financing through NIFA-participating lenders; NIFA loan pricing is commonly lower than market and many products are paired with a NIFA second-loan DPA.
Requirements:
- Income: NIFA household income limits are county- and program-specific. NIFA Household Income Limit is $182,800 (effective July 13, 2026). Targeted-area and program-specific limits may differ. See NIFA for county charts. (NIFA Welcome Home)
- Credit score: NIFA guidance commonly references minimum credit scores around 640 for conventional and government deliveries; manual-underwrite paths and lender overlays vary. Participating lenders determine final underwriting. (NIFA Welcome Home)
- Debt-to-income: Typical total DTI limits are around 45%; NIFA allows up to ~50% with compensating factors or higher credit (for example, 660+ in some cases). (NIFA Welcome Home)
- Purchase price caps: NIFA publishes purchase limits by program. Example caps shown on the Welcome Home page are $485,500 for one unit and $607,000 for two units (effective July 13, 2026). Verify current caps with NIFA or a participating lender. (NIFA Welcome Home)
Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Options:
NIFA Homebuyer Assistance (HBA): NIFA's HBA provides a second loan that is typically up to 5% of the purchase price, not to exceed $10,000. The HBA is commonly structured as a low-cost second (example terms in the HBA summary: 1% interest, 120-month term) and must be paired with a NIFA first mortgage. See the official HBA summary for exact terms and current caps. (HBA summary (PDF))
NIFA Military and Welcome Home Options:
NIFA offers specialized pathways for military and veteran borrowers and the Welcome Home suite for first-time and repeat buyers. These products can include higher purchase limits, targeted-area waivers of the first-time rule, or additional assistance. Verify program names, current rate sheets, and any targeted-tract rules at NIFA Homebuyers & Renters. NIFA's public rates and program pages show the most recent changes as of July 28, 2026.
Local Programs (examples & partners):
Local city, county, and nonprofit programs can often be stacked with NIFA assistance. Funding streams and forgiveness terms change with cycles — check each provider below before citing a specific dollar amount.
Omaha / Douglas County
Omaha 100 (O100): Local CDFI that runs home lending and homebuyer support products; program guidelines and funding streams vary — contact O100 for current caps and terms. (Omaha 100)
NeighborWorks Home Solutions: Nonprofit developer/operator in the Omaha metro offering new-construction, rehab, and resale programs that may include down payment or closing-cost support depending on funding. (NeighborWorks Home Solutions)
Lincoln / Lancaster County
Lincoln partners with regional nonprofits and HOME-funded initiatives to deliver down payment assistance, rehabilitation, and resale programs. Assistance levels depend on HOME and local funding cycles. Check the City of Lincoln Urban Development page for current offerings. (City of Lincoln – Home Ownership Programs)
Grand Island / Hall County
Grand Island area buyers should contact the Hall County / Grand Island Housing Authority or regional community action partners for HOME/CHIP-funded DPA and other local support. Local housing authority pages and nonprofit partners are the best source for current caps and eligibility. (Hall County / Grand Island Housing Authority)
Additional Information:
- USDA Loans: 0% down in eligible rural areas via the USDA Single-Family Guaranteed Loan Program; area and income eligibility rules apply. (USDA RD — Guaranteed Loan Program)
- VA Loans: 0% down for eligible veterans and active-duty borrowers through VA-backed purchase loans; borrowers still need to meet credit and income underwriting and obtain a Certificate of Eligibility. (VA Home Loans)
- FHA Loans: FHA generally allows a minimum down payment of 3.5% for borrowers with the HUD minimum credit score threshold (commonly 580 or above for the 3.5% down requirement); lower scores typically require a larger down payment. See HUD for FHA program details. (HUD / FHA)
Nebraska programs emphasize both rural-friendly federal options and state/local DPA that can be combined in many cases. Always verify current income and purchase limits, rates, and program availability with a participating lender or the official program pages linked above.
Always confirm with an NIFA-approved lender or nifa.org.
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