Increase your buying power in Connecticut
15 homebuyer assistance programs in Connecticut put grants, forgivable loans and special mortgages toward your down payment and closing costs, so your budget goes further. Add creative financing like seller credits and rate buydowns, and it stretches even more.
What 15 programs tell us about buying in Connecticut
CHFA anchors the state
7 of 15 programs are statewide, led by CHFA’s Time To Own: a 0% forgivable loan of up to $25,000 that shrinks 10% a year.
Public service earns a lower rate
CHFA cuts mortgage rates by 0.25% for teachers, police officers and military members.
Regional lenders outnumber local programs
19 multi-state programs, many from FHLBank Boston and New England banks, are open to Connecticut buyers, more than the 15 in-state programs.
How the help arrives · 15 programs
Award sizes · grants and loans with a dollar cap
2 more pay a percentage of the price or loan, which scales with the home you buy. Your award depends on income, price and location.
Who runs them
7 programs are available statewide. 8 are limited to a city, county or region, so the address you buy at changes what you can get.
More programs, more buying power. Most buyers qualify for more than one. The Wallet Wizard checks income limits, price caps and location rules across all 15 Connecticut programs and 19 multi-state programs at once, and shows where creative financing like seller credits can stack on top.
Check my eligibilityPrograms to know in Connecticut
A few of the 15 programs we track, chosen for reach, award size and terms. Amounts are program maximums; what you receive depends on income, price and location.
Time To Own Forgivable Down Payment Assistance
Connecticut Housing Finance AuthorityCovers up to 20% down and up to 5% of closing costs, capped at $25,000, with a CHFA first mortgage.
Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) Loan
Connecticut Housing Finance AuthorityThe lesser of 4% of the price or $15,000, minimum $3,000, paired with a CHFA first mortgage.
HouseHartford Homebuyer Assistance
City of Hartford Housing DivisionUp to 20% of the price, capped at $40,000, for households at or below 80% of area median income.
CT Forever Home
Housing Development FundDown payment financing for first-time buyers at or below 100% of area median income.
First Time Homebuyer Assistance Program
Town of FairfieldThe town pays half of your required down payment, up to $30,000, for households at or below 80% of area median income.
Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance
City of New HavenUp to the greater of 6% of the price or $20,000, for households up to 120% of area median income.
19 multi-state programs also serve Connecticut
Offered by banks, credit unions and Federal Home Loan Banks in several states at once. Most are tied to that lender's own mortgage, so the lender you choose decides whether you can use them. The Wallet Wizard shows which ones you can pair.
These are 4 of the 19 multi-state programs open to Connecticut buyers. See which ones you qualify for
See how much more home you can afford in Connecticut
- 1Answer a few questions in the Wallet WizardWhere you want to buy, household size, income range, job and military status.
- 2Get matched against every program we trackIncome limits, price caps, location rules and repayment terms, checked for you.
- 3Work with a pro who knows creative financingAgents and loan officers on Homebuyer Wallet see the same matches you do, and can layer in seller credits, lender credits and rate buydowns.
Every Connecticut program, matched to your buyer in seconds
Homebuyer Wallet gives professionals the full program record: income tables, price caps, approved lenders, provider contacts and application steps. Close the deals that stall on cash to close.
Connecticut homebuyer assistance FAQ
How much down payment assistance can I get in Connecticut?
It depends on where you buy and your household income. Among the 9 Connecticut programs we track that publish a dollar cap, the median award is $25,000. Others pay a percentage of the price or loan. The Wallet Wizard shows the amounts you could get for the home you want.
How do these programs increase my buying power?
Assistance covers part of your down payment or closing costs, or lowers your rate, so less of your own cash goes in upfront. The same savings and income can then support a higher purchase price or a lower monthly payment. Many buyers stack a statewide program with a local one to stretch further.
Can I combine these programs with seller credits or other creative financing?
Usually, yes. Seller credits toward closing costs, lender credits and rate buydowns can often be used alongside assistance programs, within your loan’s limits. The Wallet Wizard shows what fits together, and Homebuyer Wallet agents and loan officers can help you structure it.
Do I have to pay the assistance back?
6 of the 15 active programs (40%) are grants or forgivable loans: you repay nothing if you keep the home as your primary residence for the required period. 5 more are deferred or repayable second loans, due when you sell, refinance or move out, or paid monthly.
Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer?
Not always. Many Connecticut programs are open to repeat buyers, and most first-time rules count anyone who has not owned a home in the past three years. The Wallet Wizard checks each program’s ownership rule for you.
Are there programs for teachers, first responders or other workers?
Yes. 3 programs we track in Connecticut are tied to a specific employer or profession, such as public employees, educators, first responders, healthcare workers or service members. Job-based programs often stack with income-based ones.
Can I combine more than one program?
Sometimes. Connecticut has 7 programs available statewide and 8 limited to a city, county or region. Many local programs are built to layer on top of a statewide loan; others prohibit stacking. Your lender confirms what combines with your first mortgage.
How do I find out which programs I qualify for?
Answer a few questions in the Wallet Wizard: where you want to buy, household size, income range and job. It checks income limits, price caps, location rules and funding status across every program we track in Connecticut, plus multi-state and national programs, and shows the ones that fit.
How current is this information?
Our team reviews every program against the provider’s own materials on a rolling basis. 1 program we track is currently paused, out of funds or waitlisted and not counted on this page. Funding opens and closes often; the Wallet Wizard shows each program’s current status.
Explore another state
All Top ProgramsSource: the Homebuyer Wallet database of 2,000+ Community Home Investment Programs (CHIPs). Each program is reviewed by our team against the provider’s own website and documents. Award amounts are program maximums.