Down Payment Assistance Programs

From Middlesex County - American Dream Down Payment Program - This program provides down payment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible, first-time home buyers in Middlesex County. Applicants must purchase a single-family home (including condominiums and town houses) within Middlesex County, excluding the municipalities of New Brunswick and Perth Amboy. The minimum amount of assistance is currently $7,500. The program requires homeownership training provided by a HUD certified housing counseling agency. For more details about the program requirements and to confirm this program is still running, please call the Middlesex County Department of Housing and Community Development at 732-745-2922, or you may call our office at 732-238-1200, or any local lender involved in the program.

From the State of New Jersey - Smart Start - The Smart Start Program is available to participants in the Agency’s first mortgage home buyer’s program who are purchasing homes in Smart Growth areas.  The program helps these families by offering a second mortgage for down payment and/or closing costs up to 4% of the first mortgage.  For more information about eligibility guidelines for this program, please click the following link. Smart Start Guidelines