New Hampshire Housing bundles cash assistance right into its mortgages — Home Flex Plus and Home Preferred Plus — and adds a $10,000 deferred loan for first-generation buyers plus a tax credit that lasts the life of the loan.
This guide covers what is actually available to first-time buyers in New Hampshire in 2026 — the agency behind these programs, the loans and down payment help on offer, who qualifies, and how to apply. For the wider local picture, see our New Hampshire first-time home buyer guide.
The New Hampshire Housing and its home loan programs
New Hampshire’s first-time buyer programs are run by the New Hampshire Housing (NHHFA). Like most housing finance agencies, it does not lend directly — instead it offers below-market first mortgages, bundled with down payment help, through a network of approved local lenders. Its main first-mortgage options are:
- Home Flex Plus — an FHA/VA/USDA loan with built-in down payment help as a forgivable second
- Home Preferred Plus — a conventional (HomeReady) loan up to 97% with reduced mortgage insurance and cash assistance
- Home First — a below-market bond loan with optional down payment help
Most of these can be built on top of an FHA, VA, or USDA loan, or a conventional loan, depending on the product you pick — and the real value comes when you pair one with the down payment assistance below.
Down payment assistance in New Hampshire
Down payment assistance is the heart of what New Hampshire Housing offers, and New Hampshire gives buyers more than one way to get it. Several of New Hampshire’s loans carry built-in cash assistance, plus a dedicated first-generation program.
- Home Preferred Plus cash assistance — forgivable/grant-style second, 2% to 4% of the loan amount.
- Home Flex Plus DPA — forgivable second (forgiven after about 4 years), cash assistance for down payment and closing costs (percentage varies — verify with NHHFA).
- Home First DPA — second mortgage, $5,000 to $15,000 (optional add-on).
- 1stGenHomeNH — deferred second at 0% interest, $10,000 for first-generation buyers (limited funding).
If those terms are unfamiliar, our national guide to down payment assistance explains exactly how grants, forgivable second mortgages, and deferred loans differ — and what each one means when you eventually sell or refinance.
How much help could you get?
On a $360,000 home in New Hampshire, Home Preferred Plus cash assistance at 4% would provide about $14,400 toward your costs, built right into the loan. A first-generation buyer could instead (or additionally) use 1stGenHomeNH for a $10,000 zero-interest deferred loan. Amounts and funding move, so confirm current terms with New Hampshire Housing.
Who qualifies in New Hampshire?
Every program sets its own rules, and they change periodically, but the common requirements in New Hampshire look like this:
- Income limits. Income limits vary by program and county; Home Preferred Plus caps around 80% of area median income.
- First-time status. Requirements vary — some loans (Home Flex) are open to repeat buyers, while the MCC and first-generation programs focus on first-time buyers.
- Credit score. A minimum of 620 applies. Our guide to credit score requirements covers what moves the needle.
- Homebuyer education. Homebuyer education is required, with face-to-face counseling for 1stGenHomeNH.
- Purchase price limits. Purchase-price limits apply to Home First and vary by location.
New Hampshire programs worth knowing about
Beyond the standard offerings, New Hampshire aims extra help at specific buyers and places. Watch for:
- 1stGenHomeNH — $10,000 for first-generation homebuyers
- Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit (MCC) — up to $2,000 a year
Mortgage Credit Certificates in New Hampshire
New Hampshire offers the Home Start Homebuyer Tax Credit, its Mortgage Credit Certificate, providing an annual federal tax credit of up to $2,000 for the life of the loan. A Mortgage Credit Certificate is a federal tax credit worth a percentage of the mortgage interest you pay every year for the life of the loan, and where it is available it can usually be combined with the assistance above — putting money back in your pocket each tax season.
How to apply for New Hampshire assistance
- Set your budget first. Our home affordability guide helps you land on a realistic price range before you start shopping.
- Complete a homebuyer education course. Nearly every New Hampshire program requires one, and it is usually free and available online.
- Find a participating lender. Not every lender originates New Hampshire Housing loans, so ask directly which New Hampshire Housing programs a lender offers and have them run your numbers against a few.
- Get pre-approved and lock in the right program for your income, credit, and target home before you make an offer.
One important note: New Hampshire Housing program funding and terms change from year to year, and some assistance rounds close when the money runs out. Always confirm current amounts and availability directly with New Hampshire Housing before you count on a specific figure. Our first-time home buyer checklist keeps the rest of your process on track.
New Hampshire first-time buyer programs FAQ
Do I have to be a first-time buyer to get assistance in New Hampshire?
Requirements vary — some loans (Home Flex) are open to repeat buyers, while the MCC and first-generation programs focus on first-time buyers.
What credit score do I need for New Hampshire Housing programs?
A minimum of 620 applies. Keep in mind a program’s own minimum can sit above the loan’s floor, so confirm the exact number with your lender.
Can I use New Hampshire assistance with an FHA, VA, or USDA loan?
Yes. New Hampshire Housing assistance is built to layer on top of a first mortgage, and FHA, VA, and USDA loans are common partners because their own down payment requirements are already low. Your lender structures both pieces so they close together.
What help does New Hampshire offer first-generation buyers?
The 1stGenHomeNH program provides $10,000 as a zero-interest deferred second mortgage to first-generation homebuyers — those whose parents did not own a home. It requires face-to-face counseling and has limited funding, so timing matters. It can work alongside New Hampshire Housing’s built-in loan assistance and the Home Start tax credit. Confirm current availability with New Hampshire Housing.
First-time home buyer grants in New Hampshire
Looking specifically for grant money? Our guide to first-time home buyer grants in New Hampshire covers which programs are true grants, which are forgivable, and the truth about the widely advertised federal grant.