Connecticut offers 14 down payment assistance programs to help homebuyers cover their down payment and closing costs. This includes 3 grant programs that never require repayment. Programs range from statewide options administered by the state housing finance agency to local city and county programs targeting specific communities.
Maximum assistance available reaches $40,000 through the most generous program. Most programs require the home to be your primary residence, and many require homebuyer education.
Top Down Payment Assistance Programs in Connecticut
Highlighted programs that combine high assistance amounts with statewide or major-metro availability. See the full list below.
Hartford HouseHartford
verifyCity of Hartford
UP TO $40,000
HouseHartford Homebuyer Assistance Program
closedHartford County
20 (max $40,000)
Fairfield First Time Homebuyer
verifyTown of Fairfield
UP TO $30,000 deferred loan + $2,500 closing cost grant
Time To Own
verifyConnecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA)
20% down payment + 5% closing costs (max UP TO $25,000 (20% down payment + 5% closing costs))
Bridgeport DPA
verifyCity of Bridgeport
UP TO $25,000
Grant Programs (3)
Grants are the gold standard of down payment assistance. You receive the money and never have to pay it back.
Fairfield First Time Homebuyer
Town of Fairfield
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Income-eligible
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Deferred loan repayable at sale or refinance; $2,500 grant requires no repayment
Down Payment Assistance
Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde - Housing
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Hamden DPA Grant
Hamden Economic Development Corporation
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- 80% AMI
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- grant
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Likely forgivable grant - no repayment expected
Forgivable Loans (5)
Forgivable loans are forgiven after a set period of living in the home. If you stay, you keep the money.
Hartford HouseHartford
City of Hartford
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- 80% AMI
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- forgivable loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Forgivable over 5-15 years
Time To Own
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Not specified
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +4, USDA-RD, FHA +4, Fannie Mae +1
- Assistance Type
- forgivable loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
0%
Repayment Terms
0% interest, forgiven 10% per year over 10 years
Additional Requirements
CT residency for 3+ years required. Must use CHFA mortgage
Notes
Must be CT resident for 3+ years
Bridgeport DPA
City of Bridgeport
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- 80% AMI
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- forgivable loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Forgivable over 5-10 years
New Haven DPA
City of New Haven
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- 80% AMI
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- forgivable loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Not specified
Repayment Terms
Forgivable after 5 years
HDF SmartMove
Housing Development Fund (HDF)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Not specified
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Not specified
- Assistance Type
- forgivable loan
- Profession
- all
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Repayment Terms
Low-interest or forgivable, terms vary
Additional Requirements
Homebuyer counseling required
Deferred Payment Loans (6)
Deferred loans require no monthly payments while you live in the home. You repay when you sell, refinance, or move out.
HouseHartford Homebuyer Assistance Program
Hartford County
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, 3 units, 4 units, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
None
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayable at sale or refinance
Home Bridgeport - First Time Home Buyer Down Payment Assistance Program
Building Neighborhoods Together
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
Fixed Rate
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayable at sale or refinance
Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance
City of New Haven - Economic Development
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, 3 units, 4 units, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD
- Max Price
- Not specified
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, FHA, VA, USDA-RD +1
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
None
Repayment Terms
Deferred Payment - Repayable at sale or refinance
CHFA Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP)
Connecticut Housing Finance Authority
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- Yes
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, 3 units, 4 units, Leasehold, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD,...
- Max Price
- $686,750
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, USDA-RD, VA, FHA +1, FHA
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Chenoa Fund FHA Down Payment Assistance Forgivable
CBC Mortgage Agency (Chenoa Fund)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, Leasehold, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD, Manufactured
- Max Price
- $766,550
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- FHA
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Chenoa Fund FHA Down Payment Assistance Repayable
CBC Mortgage Agency (Chenoa Fund)
Eligibility Snapshot
- First-Time Buyer
- No
- Income Limit
- Not specified
- Min Credit Score
- Not specified
- Property Types
- Single-Family, 2 units, Leasehold, Condominium, Townhouse/PUD, Manufactured
- Max Price
- $766,550
Quick Facts
- Loan Types
- FHA
- Assistance Type
- deferred loan
- Profession
- All
- Homebuyer Ed.
- Yes
Interest Rate
Note rate 1% above the first mortgage note rate
Repayment Terms
This loan does require a monthly payment on the second mortgage.
How to Apply for Down Payment Assistance in Connecticut
-
1
Check Your Eligibility
Use our free eligibility tool to see which programs match your situation. Enter your state, city, income, and target home price.
-
2
Contact the Program Administrator
Each program has its own application process. Visit the program website or call the administering agency to get started. Many programs work through approved lenders.
-
3
Get Pre-Approved with a Participating Lender
Not every lender participates in every DPA program. Work with a lender who is approved for the programs you want. The program administrator can provide a list of approved lenders.
-
4
Complete Homebuyer Education (If Required)
Many programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Online options through eHome America and Framework are accepted by most programs.
-
5
Close & Move In
DPA funds are typically disbursed at closing alongside your first mortgage. Your lender coordinates the DPA program paperwork as part of the loan process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Connecticut?
Up to $40,000 through available programs in Connecticut. Multiple programs can often be combined for even more assistance. The exact amount depends on your income, location, and the specific program requirements.
Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer?
Not always. 3 programs in Connecticut are open to repeat buyers. "First-time buyer" is typically defined as not having owned a home in the past three years.
What credit score do I need?
Requirements vary by program. Most require a credit score of at least 620-660.
Can I combine multiple DPA programs?
In many cases, yes. Some programs are specifically designed to be layered with others. For example, you might combine a state grant with a local deferred loan. Check with each program administrator about stacking eligibility.
DPA Programs in Nearby States
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