Connecticut First-Time Home Buyer Programs 2026

By Grantsights14 min readUpdated Nov 3, 202610 official sourcesHow we checkCorrections

Quick Answer: The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority's Time To Own loan gives up to $25,000 at 0%, forgiven 10% a year over 10 years, and CHFA says $12,017,767 was available for reservations as of November 2, 2026.

Full answer and how we checked it

It's a forgivable loan, not a grant. CHFA's Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) lends up to $15,000 that you repay monthly, and Next Move, launched June 22, 2026, adds a 0% deferred loan of 3% to 3.5% of the mortgage for first-time and repeat buyers. Locally, Hartford's HouseHartford offers up to $40,000 and New Haven offers the greater of 6% of the price or $20,000 as a loan forgiven over 5 years. For how Connecticut compares nationally, see our national first-time home buyer grants guide.

This guide is for: first-time buyers in Connecticut, and anyone who searched for a "Connecticut first time home buyer program" and wants to know what CHFA and the larger cities actually offer in 2026.

Data note: Grantsights checked CHFA's Time To Own page (opens in a new tab), DAP page (opens in a new tab), Next Move page (opens in a new tab) and Government Insured Mortgage page (opens in a new tab), the bond loan program outlines revised October 5, 2026, the Make it Yours income and sales price limits effective June 22, 2026, the Time To Own AMI limits dated June 13, 2026, and CHFA lender bulletins 286 through 299 against the City of Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport homebuyer pages on November 3, 2026. City medians come from the 2020-2024 ACS and run below what Connecticut homes are selling for now.

In this guide (10 sections)

Connecticut Home Buyer Programs Compared (2026)
CHFA Income and Sales Price Limits by Region (June 2026)
How Far $25,000 Goes in Connecticut's Biggest Cities
Local Help in Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport
FHA, VA and USDA Loans in Connecticut
What CHFA Doesn't Tell You on Its Program Pages
Common Mistakes and Red Flags for Connecticut Buyers
How to Apply for CHFA Help, Step by Step
If Time To Own Runs Dry or Your Application Is Denied
Sources

Connecticut Home Buyer Programs Compared (2026)

Connecticut has 4 CHFA down payment products and 3 big-city programs in this guide, and none of the seven is a grant you never have to think about again. Here's where each Connecticut option stood on November 3, 2026.

Connecticut program	Run by	Type	Amount	Repayment terms	First-time buyer rule	Credit minimum	Funding status (as stated by agency)
Make it Yours (bond) first mortgage	CHFA	First mortgage (FHA, VA, USDA or conventional)	Up to the regional sales price limit	Monthly payments, 30-year fixed	No home in 3 years; waived in targeted areas	No CHFA overlay; first-mortgage rules apply	Open; renamed from First-Time Homebuyer programs on June 1, 2026
Time To Own	CHFA for the CT Department of Housing	Forgivable loan, 0%	$3,000 to $25,000 ($18,750 above 80% AMI)	No payments; 10% forgiven each year, fully forgiven at year 10	Same as Make it Yours; 3 years of CT residency required	No CHFA overlay	Open: $12,017,767 available for reservations as of November 2, 2026
Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP)	CHFA	Repayable loan	Lesser of 4% of price or $15,000; $3,000 minimum	30-year fixed at the first mortgage rate or 5.00% (5.10% to 5.50% APR), whichever is less	Same as Make it Yours	No CHFA overlay	Open; CHFA posts a weekly DAP dashboard
Next Move with Deferred DPA	CHFA (serviced by Lakeview)	Deferred loan, 0%	3% of the loan (conventional) or 3.5% (FHA, VA, USDA)	Non-amortizing, deferred up to 30 years	First-time and repeat buyers; income up to 120% AMI	620 (640 USDA)	Open since June 22, 2026; weekday reservations only
HouseHartford	City of Hartford	City page doesn't say grant or loan	Up to 20% of price, max $40,000	Not stated on city page	Low- and moderate-income buyers	Not published	City page lists 5 participating lenders; funding level not posted
Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance	City of New Haven	Forgivable loan, 0%	Greater of 6% of price or $20,000	20% forgiven each year; fully forgiven after 5 years	First-time buyers	Not published	Not posted
First Time Homebuyer DPA (with Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust)	City of Bridgeport	Forgivable loan	Up to $25,000	Deed restriction of 5 to 10 years, by amount	No property owned in 3 years	620 (2023 flyer)	First come, first served; current funding not posted

Sources: CHFA program pages, Bond Loan Program Outlines (Rev. 10.5.2026), Next Move Bulletin 288 (May 21, 2026) and FAQ (Rev. 7.13.26), Bulletin 289 (May 27, 2026); City of Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport program pages and Bridgeport's July 2023 eligibility flyer. All checked November 3, 2026.

The plain reading: Time To Own is the best deal for most first-time buyers who'll stay put, because every year in the home erases a tenth of it. DAP is a second monthly payment for 30 years. Next Move's money doesn't go away; it's just deferred.

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CHFA Income and Sales Price Limits by Region (June 2026)

Connecticut switched from counties to 9 planning regions for CHFA limits. According to CHFA Bulletin 292, the Make it Yours limits apply to reservations made on or after June 22, 2026, with no exceptions, and they're based on the income of the people on the loan and family size (2 or fewer, or 3 or more).

Planning region (main cities)	Area	Income limit, 1-2 people	Income limit, 3+ people	Sales price limit	Time To Own 100% AMI cap
Capitol (Hartford, New Britain, West Hartford)	Non-targeted	$129,500	$148,925	$566,350	$129,200
Capitol	Targeted areas of East Hartford, Hartford, Manchester, New Britain, Vernon	$155,400	$181,300	$692,210	$129,200
South Central (New Haven, Hamden, Milford)	Non-targeted	$129,500	$148,925	$566,350	$123,200
South Central	Targeted areas of Meriden, New Haven, West Haven	$155,400	$181,300	$692,210	$123,200
Greater Bridgeport (Bridgeport, Fairfield, Stratford)	All, including targeted Bridgeport	$168,720	$196,840	$750,000 ($800,000 targeted)	$156,800
Western (Stamford, Norwalk, Danbury, Greenwich)	Darien, Greenwich, Norwalk, Stamford and nearby	$186,515	$214,490	$750,000	$156,800
Western	Targeted areas of Norwalk and Stamford	$195,600	$228,200	$800,000	$156,800
Naugatuck Valley (Waterbury, Bristol)	Non-targeted	$129,500	$148,925	$566,350	$114,000
Naugatuck Valley	Targeted areas of Ansonia, Bristol, Waterbury	$155,400	$181,300	$692,210	$114,000
Southeastern CT (New London, Norwich, Groton)	Most towns	$129,500	$148,925	$566,350	$111,900
Lower CT River Valley (Middletown)	Most towns	$129,500	$148,925	$566,350	$129,200

Sources: CHFA Make it Yours (Bond) Income Limits and Sales Price Limits, Form 064-0308 Rev 6-22-26, attached to CHFA lender Bulletin 292 (opens in a new tab)_Income_and_Sales_Price_Limits_Update2.pdf) (June 9, 2026); CHFA Time To Own Program AMI Limits, Form TTO AMI Rev. 6-13-26. Targeted status is set by census tract, so check the exact address.

Here's the catch most buyers miss: Time To Own uses its own lower cap. In the Capitol region, a couple earning $140,000 clears the $155,400 targeted-area limit for a Hartford mortgage but is over Time To Own's $129,200 cap, so they'd get the first mortgage and DAP or Next Move instead. And because the Time To Own AMI figure is a single number per region rather than a household-size table, a family of 5 faces the same ceiling as a single buyer.

How Far $25,000 Goes in Connecticut's Biggest Cities

Measured against the $366,900 statewide median home value, Time To Own's $25,000 maximum covers 6.8%, according to Grantsights analysis of U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts (2020-2024 ACS). That's nearly twice the 3.5% FHA minimum down payment, which is why CHFA lets the loan cover closing costs too.

City	Median value of owner-occupied homes	$25,000 as a share of median	3.5% FHA down payment on the median	$25,000 minus that down payment	DAP at 4% (capped at $15,000)
Connecticut (statewide)	$366,900	6.8%	$12,842	$12,158 left	$14,676
Bridgeport	$274,900	9.1%	$9,622	$15,378 left	$10,996
Stamford	$624,400	4.0%	$21,854	$3,146 left	$15,000
New Haven	$287,100	8.7%	$10,049	$14,951 left	$11,484
Hartford	$228,600	10.9%	$8,001	$16,999 left	$9,144
Waterbury	$208,500	12.0%	$7,298	$17,702 left	$8,340
Norwalk	$558,000	4.5%	$19,530	$5,470 left	$15,000

Calculation: $25,000 divided by the city median value; FHA minimum down payment of 3.5% from HUD's loans page (opens in a new tab); DAP amount from CHFA's 4% formula and $15,000 cap. Cities are Connecticut's 6 largest by Census Bureau July 1, 2025 estimates. ACS medians run below 2026 sale prices.

In Hartford, Waterbury and Bridgeport, Time To Own can cover the full FHA down payment and a big share of closing costs. In Stamford and Norwalk, it barely clears the down payment, and buyers who are over 80% of AMI there only get $18,750, which falls short of 3.5% on a median-priced home.

Local Help in Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport

The 3 largest city programs run from $20,000 to $40,000 at the top end, and all three require you to buy inside city limits.

Hartford: HouseHartford, up to $40,000

The City of Hartford's Homebuyer Assistance page (opens in a new tab) says HouseHartford can provide up to 20% of the purchase price, with a maximum of $40,000, for 1 to 4 family homes and condos in the city. Household income can't exceed HUD's 80% of the Hartford area median family income, listed on the city's HouseHartford brochure. You apply through one of 5 participating lenders the city lists, and the lender submits the application. The city says the program has helped more than 1,300 families since it started. The page doesn't say whether the help is a grant or a loan, so ask the lender for the note terms.

New Haven: greater of 6% or $20,000, forgiven over 5 years

The City of New Haven's Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance page (opens in a new tab) offers first-time buyers a 0% forgivable loan of up to the greater of 6% of the price or $20,000. It's forgiven 20% on each anniversary, so it's gone after 5 years. You can sell before then if you repay the balance or the buyer assumes it. The city notes that terms can change without notice, so confirm the amount with the housing office when you apply.

Bridgeport: up to $25,000 forgivable loan

The City of Bridgeport runs its First Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program (opens in a new tab) with Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust. The city's eligibility flyer, dated July 2023, lists forgivable loans of up to $25,000 from HUD HOME funds, a 620 minimum credit score, at least 1% of the price from you, liquid assets capped at $10,000, 8 hours of homebuyer education and a 5 to 10 year deed restriction. Funds go out first come, first served. Because the flyer is from 2023, its income table is out of date; ask BNT for the current limits.

FHA, VA and USDA Loans in Connecticut

CHFA's Make it Yours program can sit on top of all 3 federal loan types, and HUD puts the FHA minimum down payment at 3.5%. CHFA's own role is the below-market rate and the down payment loan, not the insurance.

FHA: down payments as low as 3.5% on 1 to 4 unit homes, according to HUD's loans page (opens in a new tab).
VA: Connecticut veterans can buy with zero down and skip monthly mortgage insurance, according to VA's purchase loan page (opens in a new tab). CHFA adds a 0.125% rate discount for military members and veterans on its published rates.
USDA: rural Connecticut buyers under 115% of median income can borrow with nothing down, according to USDA Rural Development's guaranteed loan page (opens in a new tab). Next Move requires a 640 score for USDA loans versus 620 for the others.

CHFA also lists 0.125% discounts for state troopers and municipal police, certified teachers (0.25% for teachers who meet its recruit-and-retain criteria), households with a disabled member and public housing residents. Our USDA housing grants guide covers USDA's direct loans, and the national first-time home buyer guide compares the loan types.

What CHFA Doesn't Tell You on Its Program Pages

Grantsights compared CHFA's public pages with its lender outlines and bulletins and found 5 details buyers rarely see before they're under contract.

The appraisal rule can knock you out of Time To Own. Under Bulletin 299 (October 5, 2026), a deal isn't eligible when the appraised value is 10% or more above the sales price, after subtracting seller concessions. Get a bargain on a home and you can lose the forgivable loan.
Time To Own requires a minimum housing ratio. The program outlines set a minimum 30% housing expense-to-income ratio. Buyers whose payment would be too small relative to income aren't the target.
You can't refinance around CHFA seconds. DAP and Time To Own can't be subordinated in a refinance, per the outlines, so a lower-rate refinance later means clearing the balance.
DAP's limit is described two ways. The consumer page says "up to $15,000" and 4% of the price, but also says the loan can't exceed the minimum down payment, usually 3% to 3.5%. In practice, the lower number wins, so expect DAP to cover the down payment and not much else.
Next Move's DPA isn't optional. CHFA's Next Move FAQ says every loan must close with the maximum DPA (3% conventional or 3.5% government), and its rates aren't posted on the website; they're emailed daily.

One thing that works in your favor: CHFA's Government Insured page says that if you sell within 9 years, at a profit, with income over the recapture limit, you could owe federal recapture tax, but CHFA may reimburse it if you file the required forms.

Common Mistakes and Red Flags for Connecticut Buyers

Most problems trace back to 5 avoidable mistakes, nearly all made before the offer is signed.

Assuming Time To Own is a grant. A common mistake is planning to sell in 3 years and forgetting the 70% that hasn't been forgiven. CHFA records it as a second mortgage.
Missing the residency rule. Time To Own requires every borrower to have lived in Connecticut for the past 3 years, shown on 3 years of federal tax returns or transcripts. Moving from New York last year disqualifies you.
Waiting on reservations. Time To Own runs on state bond money. CHFA's lender bulletins show it's been paused and refunded several times since 2023, so don't assume today's balance will be there in 60 days.
Underestimating Stamford and Norwalk costs. On a $624,400 median Stamford home, $25,000 leaves about $3,000 after a 3.5% FHA down payment, and buyers over 80% AMI get $18,750.
Paying for "grant help." A red flag is any person or site charging you to unlock a Connecticut home buyer grant. The FTC's government grant scams page (opens in a new tab) says no government agency will demand payment for a grant or ask for payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency. CHFA caps lender fees on Time To Own at $800.

Buying an older Waterbury or New London multi-family? Our guide to home repair grants for low-income homeowners covers help after closing.

How to Apply for CHFA Help, Step by Step

The CHFA process takes 6 steps, and Time To Own adds paperwork that's easier to collect early.

Check your region and address. Find your planning region in the table, then check whether the address is in a targeted census tract, which raises your limits and waives the first-time rule.
Take the free homebuyer class. CHFA requires a free Homebuyer Education class before closing for DAP and Make it Yours, offered online and in person. Find one through CHFA's homebuyer education page (opens in a new tab).
Pull 3 years of tax returns. Time To Own requires them to prove Connecticut residency for every borrower.
Get pre-approved with a CHFA-participating lender. CHFA says there are nearly 70, listed on its participating lender page (opens in a new tab). Ask the loan officer to compare Make it Yours with Time To Own, Make it Yours with DAP, and Next Move.
Add city help. HouseHartford applications go through a participating lender; New Haven and Bridgeport have their own forms. Ask whether the city loan can sit behind CHFA's first and second mortgages.
Reserve, close and file your notes. The lender reserves funds in CHFA's system. Keep every note, because each second mortgage has its own payoff rule.

For example, a couple in Hartford earning $70,000 and buying a $230,000 home in a targeted tract with an FHA Make it Yours loan would be under the $155,400 targeted-area limit and under 80% of the Capitol region's AMI ($103,360). A 3.5% down payment is $8,050. Time To Own could cover that plus closing costs, specifically up to 5% of the price ($11,500), within the $25,000 cap. Their full monthly housing payment also has to be at least 30% of income, about $1,750 at $70,000, which Hartford's property taxes make likely on a $230,000 home. They'd make no payments on the Time To Own loan, and if they stayed through the 10th anniversary of closing, the full amount would be forgiven.

If Time To Own Runs Dry or Your Application Is Denied

Time To Own had $12,017,767 left on November 2, 2026, but it depends on Bond Commission votes, and CHFA's bulletin archive shows a pause on February 22, 2023 followed by several "additional funding" notices.

If Time To Own pauses: DAP is the fallback with the same first mortgage. It's repayable, but it still gets you to closing. Next Move is another option if you're over the bond income limits.
If you're over the income limit: check whether the address is in a targeted tract, where limits run about 20% higher (for example, $155,400 versus $129,500 for 1 to 2 people in the Capitol region), or look at Next Move's 120% AMI cap.
If you're denied on credit: CHFA's participating HUD-approved counselors can help you rebuild. Before paying anyone for help, read our guide on how to apply for grants as an individual, which covers the warning signs.
If you need to keep renting: the rental assistance programs guide and the HUD income limits guide cover options while you save.

The HUD HOME program guide explains the federal money behind Bridgeport's program and many other city down payment loans.

Want a quick read on which official Connecticut programs match your situation? The free eligibility checker points you to the agencies behind them. It doesn't award Connecticut grants or fill out CHFA forms for you.

Buying near the state line? Compare the Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York guides.

Sources

CHFA, Time To Own - Forgivable Down Payment Assistance (opens in a new tab) (funding as of November 2, 2026; checked November 3, 2026)
CHFA, Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) Loan (opens in a new tab)
CHFA, Next Move with Deferred DPA Program (opens in a new tab) and Next Move FAQ (opens in a new tab) (Rev. 7.13.26)
CHFA, Government Insured Mortgage Programs (opens in a new tab) and All Homebuyer Mortgage Programs (opens in a new tab)
CHFA, Bond Loan Program Outlines (opens in a new tab) (Rev. 10.5.2026)
CHFA, Time To Own Program AMI Limits (opens in a new tab) (as of June 13, 2026)
CHFA, Bulletin 292: Make it Yours (Bond) Income and Sales Price Limits (opens in a new tab)_Income_and_Sales_Price_Limits_Update2.pdf) (effective June 22, 2026)
CHFA, Bulletin 288: Next Move with Deferred DPA (opens in a new tab) (May 21, 2026), Bulletin 289: Make it Yours rebrand (opens in a new tab) (May 27, 2026), Bulletin 286-A (opens in a new tab) (April 9, 2026) and Bulletin 299 (opens in a new tab) (October 5, 2026), listed on CHFA's lender mortgage programs page (opens in a new tab)
CHFA, Homebuyer Education (opens in a new tab) and CHFA-Participating Lenders (opens in a new tab)
City of Hartford, Homebuyer Assistance (HouseHartford) (opens in a new tab)
City of New Haven, Down Payment/Closing Cost Assistance (opens in a new tab)
City of Bridgeport, First Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program (opens in a new tab) and eligibility flyer (opens in a new tab) (July 2023)
HUD, Loans (FHA) (opens in a new tab)
VA, VA purchase loan (opens in a new tab)
USDA RD, Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loans (opens in a new tab)
U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Connecticut (opens in a new tab) and Bridgeport, Stamford, New Haven, Hartford, Waterbury and Norwalk (opens in a new tab) (median value of owner-occupied homes, 2020-2024; population estimates July 1, 2025)
FTC, Government Grant Scams (opens in a new tab)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a first-time home buyer grant in Connecticut?

Not a pure grant from the state. CHFA's Time To Own, run for the CT Department of Housing, is a 0% forgivable loan of up to $25,000 that's forgiven 10% a year over 10 years. CHFA's Down Payment Assistance Program is a repayable loan, and Next Move's DPA is a 0% deferred loan. City programs in Hartford, New Haven and Bridgeport are also structured as loans or don't say on their pages.

How much is Time To Own in 2026?

Up to $25,000 for households at or below 80% of area median income, and up to $18,750 for households above 80% and up to 100% of AMI, per CHFA's loan program outlines revised October 5, 2026. The minimum is $3,000. It can cover up to 20% of the price for the down payment and up to 5% for closing costs.

Is CHFA Time To Own still available?

Yes, as of CHFA's own page. It says the Connecticut State Bond Commission authorized another $5,000,000 on September 8, 2026, and that $12,017,767 was available for loan reservations as of November 2, 2026. The program has paused before when money ran out, so check the page the week you make an offer.

What are the CHFA income limits for 2026?

For CHFA's Make it Yours (bond) first mortgages, limits effective for reservations on or after June 22, 2026 run from $129,500 for 1 or 2 people and $148,925 for 3 or more in most regions, up to $195,600 and $228,200 in targeted areas of Norwalk and Stamford. Time To Own has a tighter cap: 100% of AMI, which CHFA lists as $129,200 in the Capitol region and $156,800 in Greater Bridgeport and Western CT.

What credit score do I need for a CHFA loan?

CHFA's bond loan program outlines say CHFA doesn't add its own credit score overlay, so the FHA, VA, USDA or conventional rules behind your first mortgage apply. The newer Next Move program sets a minimum of 620, or 640 for USDA loans.

Do I have to be a first-time buyer for CHFA?

For Make it Yours, DAP and Time To Own, yes, unless you buy in a federally targeted area, where CHFA waives the rule. CHFA counts you as first-time if you haven't owned a home in the past 3 years. Next Move, launched June 22, 2026, is open to first-time and repeat buyers with income up to 120% of AMI.

Can I refinance a home with a CHFA down payment loan?

Not without dealing with the second loan. CHFA's program outlines say its DAP and Time To Own loans can't be subordinated in a refinance, so a new first mortgage means paying off whatever is still owed on the CHFA second.

Are Connecticut home buyer grant ads real?

Treat them with suspicion. The FTC says no government agency will contact you to demand that you pay to get a grant. CHFA programs are applied for through CHFA-participating lenders, and lender fees on Time To Own are capped at $800. Never pay an upfront fee to someone promising a Connecticut home buyer grant.

Last updated November 3, 2026. Published by Grantsights from public sources. See our editorial policy, how we build and check guides, corrections and how we make money.