Connecticut’s standout for first-time buyers is Time To Own — a forgivable loan so generous it works like a grant if you stay in the home, providing up to $25,000 with no interest and no monthly payment.
This guide covers what actually counts as grant money for first-time buyers in Connecticut in 2026 — the help that does not have to be repaid, the truth about the federal grant everyone asks about, and how to find and qualify for it.
Are there really first-time home buyer grants in Connecticut?
Here is the honest answer most sites skip: a true grant is money you never repay, but the majority of what gets marketed as a “first-time home buyer grant” is actually a forgivable loan — a second mortgage that is written off over time as long as you stay in the home. The practical difference is small if you plan to stay put, but it matters if you might sell or refinance early. Connecticut’s housing agency (CHFA) leads with Time To Own, a forgivable second that is written off completely over 10 years — effectively a grant for buyers who stay put.
For the full difference between grants, forgivable seconds, and deferred loans, our national guide to down payment assistance breaks it down.
Connecticut grant and forgivable-money programs
Here is the grant-equivalent money available in Connecticut:
- Time To Own — a forgivable second of up to $25,000 (up to 20% of the price for the down payment plus up to 5% for closing costs) at 0% interest with no monthly payment; 10% of the balance is forgiven each year, so after 10 years you owe nothing
- Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) — a low-interest repayable second for buyers who prefer or need a structured loan — not a grant, but low-cost
This page focuses on the no-repay and forgivable money. For the full menu — including deferred loans, below-market mortgages, and the Mortgage Credit Certificate — see our complete guide to Connecticut first-time home buyer programs.
The $25,000 first-time buyer grant — is it real?
You have probably seen ads for a “$25,000 first-time home buyer grant” or a “$15,000 first-time buyer tax credit.” Here is the truth as of 2026: both come from proposed federal bills (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act and the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act) that have not become law. No one can give you that $25,000 federal grant today, in Connecticut or anywhere else, because it does not exist yet — so be cautious with any site or “lender” that promises it. We track the real status on our explainer of the $25,000 first-time home buyer grant. The good news: the Connecticut programs above are real, available now, and often just as valuable.
How to qualify for a grant in Connecticut
Grant and forgivable programs in Connecticut share a familiar set of rules:
- Income limits. CHFA sets income limits by household size and town; Time To Own uses those limits.
- First-time status. First-time status is generally required, and waived in targeted areas.
- Homebuyer education. Nearly every grant program requires a short course, usually free and often online.
- A participating lender. Grants are delivered through approved lenders, not the agency directly, so ask which programs a lender offers — and check our guide to credit score requirements to be sure you qualify for the underlying loan.
- Primary residence. The home must be the one you live in, not an investment property.
How to find down payment grants in Connecticut
Time To Own funding is replenished in rounds and has run out at times, so confirm current availability with CHFA and line up a participating lender early.
And before you count on any figure, remember that grant funding runs in cycles and can be exhausted, so always confirm current availability with the program. Our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of your purchase on track.
Connecticut first-time buyer grants FAQ
Do first-time home buyer grants in Connecticut have to be repaid?
Time To Own is a forgivable loan — you repay nothing as long as you stay in the home, since 10% is forgiven each year and it is fully forgiven at 10 years. Sell or refinance earlier and you repay only the unforgiven portion. So while it is technically a loan, it functions like a grant for buyers who plan to stay.
Is there a $25,000 grant for first-time buyers in Connecticut?
Not currently. The $25,000 figure comes from a proposed federal bill (the Downpayment Toward Equity Act) that has not become law, so it is not available in Connecticut or any state today. What is available are Connecticut’s real grant and forgivable programs described above, plus the statewide options in our Connecticut programs guide.
Who qualifies for down payment grants in Connecticut?
First-time status is generally required, and waived in targeted areas. CHFA sets income limits by household size and town; Time To Own uses those limits. You will also complete a homebuyer education course and use a participating lender.
Is Connecticut’s Time To Own really like a grant?
Effectively, yes. Time To Own provides up to $25,000 at 0% interest with no monthly payment, and 10% of the balance is forgiven each year — so after 10 years in the home you owe nothing at all. It is structured as a forgivable second mortgage rather than an outright grant, which matters only if you sell or refinance within the first 10 years. Because funding runs in rounds, confirm it is currently available with CHFA.