New Hampshire Housing (NHHFA) Programs:
Updated August 22, 2026New Hampshire Housing (NH Housing) offers 30‑year fixed mortgage options through approved lenders and state cash assistance for qualifying buyers. NH Housing provides tiered Cash Assistance commonly in $5,000 / $10,000 / $15,000 amounts and a First‑Generation top‑up of $10,000 on eligible mortgages. Repayment terms were revised in August 2024: assistance is structured as a 0% second mortgage that is not forgivable and is typically due on sale, refinance, or at the end of the term. Check NH Housing product pages and an NH Housing approved lender for current availability and stacking rules. NH Housing Homeownership and the FY2026 Program Plan.
New Hampshire First-Time Homebuyer Mortgage Programs:
Eligibility: Many NH Housing mortgage tracks are targeted to first‑time homebuyers. For several NH Housing bond products (Home First / Home Preferred), a first‑time homebuyer is defined as someone who has not had an ownership interest in their principal residence during the previous three years prior to the date the mortgage is executed. Targeted communities and some veteran exceptions apply — see NH Housing product fact sheets for exact definitions and exceptions. NH Housing program fact sheets.
Offerings: NH Housing supports FHA, VA, USDA and conventional 30‑year fixed options through participating lenders. Note: NH Housing reported that its Homebuyer Tax Credit (Mortgage Credit Certificate) allocation expired on December 31, 2024 and NH Housing is not issuing new MCCs from that allocation. Confirm current tax credit availability with NH Housing. FY2026 Program Plan.
Requirements:
- Income: Borrower household income must fit NH Housing limits which vary by county and household size. NH Housing publishes program income tables and a maximum program income cap (commonly referenced as $184,500 for some programs); confirm county/size figures with NH Housing. See NH Housing income tables and the Program Comparison Matrix for details. Program Comparison Matrix.
- Credit score: NH Housing loan fact sheets show an overlay minimum commonly at or near 620 FICO for many conventional tracks; lender overlays may apply. See NH Housing product fact sheets for lender underwriting detail. Program fact sheets and the Home First Conventional fact sheet.
- Debt-to-income (DTI): Conventional guidance typically targets lower ratios, with many NH Housing fact sheets noting DTI up to about 50% only with Approve/Eligible AUS findings or significant compensating factors. Confirm with your lender and the applicable fact sheet.
- Homebuyer education: Counseling or homebuyer education is required for at least one borrower on many NH Housing products; NH Housing lists approved education partners and seminars for buyers.
Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Options:
NH Housing Cash Assistance: NH Housing Cash Assistance is offered in fixed tiers ($5,000, $10,000, $15,000) to help with down payment, closing costs, and prepaid expenses for borrowers using NH Housing mortgages. First‑generation homebuyers can access an additional $10,000 through the 1stGenHomeNH top‑up. All Cash Assistance was restructured in August 2024 as a non‑forgivable 0% second mortgage; repayment is generally due on sale, refinance, bankruptcy, or at the end of the mortgage term. See the FY2026 Program Plan and NH Housing product pages for product availability and stacking rules. FY2026 Program Plan and 1stGenHomeNH fact sheet.
Structure: Assistance is typically a 0% second mortgage with no required monthly payment; repayment events are described in NH Housing selling guides and fact sheets. Confirm repayment and any limited forgiveness (where applicable) with NH Housing and your lender before applying.
Community Heroes / Workforce Initiatives:
Description: NH Housing has run targeted initiatives in prior years, including a Community Heroes program referenced in NH Housing historical materials that provided modest closing cost credits to eligible public‑service workers. The FY2026 Program Plan does not list an active, statewide Community Heroes program; treat this as a historical example and confirm current status with NH Housing directly. (See the FY22 annual report for historical reference.)
Local Programs & Examples:
Many municipalities layer local HOME, Housing Trust Fund, or Federal Home Loan Bank grants on top of state programs. Local availability and caps change frequently — confirm directly with the city or local housing authority listed below.
Portsmouth / Rockingham County
Portsmouth HomeTown Program: Portsmouth administers a HomeTown first‑time buyer program that provides down payment and closing cost assistance tied to local income and residency rules. See the city page for current eligibility and application steps. Portsmouth HomeTown program.
Nashua / Hillsborough County
City HOME/Trust Fund Activity: Nashua’s Annual Action Plan shows HOME and Housing Trust Fund activity and local homebuyer assistance projects; amounts vary by funding cycle — check Nashua Urban Programs/Community Development for current details. Nashua Annual Action Plan (PY26/FY27 Draft).
Manchester / Hillsborough County
Local assistance & education: Manchester partners on homebuyer education and may refer buyers to NH Housing DPA, Federal Home Loan Bank grants, or other partner funding. Contact Manchester Community Development or local housing partners for current program details.
Additional (Federal) Programs:
- USDA Loans: 100% financing is available in eligible rural areas through USDA Rural Development; property and income eligibility rules apply. See USDA Rural Development.
- VA Loans: VA‑guaranteed loans often allow no down payment for eligible veterans and active duty borrowers (lender overlays may apply). See VA Home Loans.
- FHA Loans: FHA permits down payments as low as 3.5% for borrowers meeting the FHA credit tier (commonly used when credit score is 580+; 10% down applies for 500–579). Lenders may impose higher minimums. See the CFPB summary and lender guidance at CFPB — FHA loans.
New Hampshire homeownership programs emphasize fixed Cash Assistance tiers used with NH Housing mortgage tracks and local partner grants. Funding availability and local caps can change rapidly; always confirm program details, current income/purchase limits, and lender underwriting rules before you apply.
Always confirm with an NH Housing approved lender or nhhousing.org.
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