Unlock Down Payment Assistance in CT with New 2025 Income Guidelines

Unlock your path to homeownership—Connecticut’s 2025 down payment assistance programs make it easier than ever to buy your first home.

Buying your first home in Connecticut just got a little easier. Thanks to recent changes from the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA), more homebuyers may now qualify for special loan programs and down payment assistance in 2025. If you’ve been holding off on buying a home because of income limits or down payment costs, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

What Changed in 2025?

Each year, CHFA updates its Area Median Income (AMI) limits. These income guidelines help determine who qualifies for programs designed to make homeownership more affordable. In 2025, there are two major changes:

1. Higher Income Limits – In many areas of Connecticut, the income limits are now higher, meaning more people will qualify.

2. New Geographic Rules – Instead of using counties, CHFA now calculates income limits based on planning regions, which group towns together differently than counties. This may affect your eligibility depending on where you live or plan to buy.

Why This Matters to You

CHFA offers affordable mortgage options and assistance for first-time buyers and those with modest incomes. To qualify, your household income must fall below a certain limit—and that limit just went up in many parts of the state.

More people may now be eligible for programs that offer:

• Lower interest rates

• Smaller down payments

• Help with closing costs

• Forgivable down payment assistance (meaning it doesn’t need to be paid back)

The Time To Own Program – Big Help for Down Payments

CHFA’s Time To Own program offers forgivable loans (no repayment required if you stay in the home long enough) to help cover your down payment:

• Up to $25,000 if your income is at or below 80% of the area's median income

• Up to $18,750 if your income is between 80% and 100%

This is a huge help, especially in today’s housing market where saving for a down payment can be tough.

What Are the New Income Limits?

Here are a few examples of the updated 2025 income limits:

Planning Region	Median Income	80% Limit (for max TTO benefit)
Greater Bridgeport	$148,900	$119,120
Capitol Region	$126,600	$101,280
Naugatuck Valley	$110,000	$88,000
Southeastern Connecticut	$110,300	$88,240

To check your region, you can use tools on the CHFA website or ask your lender.

What Should You Do Next?

1. Connect with a CHFA-Approved Lender to Check Your Eligibility – Knowing whether your income qualifies is the first step. A CHFA-approved lender can walk you through the income limits, available programs, and next steps in the process. Contact us below and we’ll connect you with a trusted lender who can check your eligibility and guide you toward the right program for your needs.

   
   

2. Get Pre-Approved – Once you know what you qualify for, getting pre-approved helps you understand your budget and makes your home search more efficient.

   
   

3. Act Soon – These programs are in high demand and subject to change. Taking action now could give you access to the support you need before rules or funding shift.

Final Thoughts

These updates make homeownership more accessible for many Connecticut residents. Whether you're a teacher, nurse, mechanic, or just starting out, there's a good chance you could now qualify for help that wasn’t available before.

Need Help Buying Your First Home?

Contact us below to find out if you qualify for CHFA programs or need help navigating the homebuying process. We’re here to guide you every step of the way—from pre-approval to closing day.

Your Section 8 Voucher Can Buy a Home—Here’s How with CHFA

A warm welcome: Connecticut's CHFA program opens the door to homeownership for Section 8 recipients.

For many low-income families in Connecticut, the dream of owning a home can feel out of reach—especially for those currently receiving Section 8 rental assistance. However, the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) offers a powerful pathway to ownership through its Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Homeownership Program. This initiative aims to turn the dream of homeownership into reality by providing financial tools and guidance for eligible individuals and families.

Understanding the Program

CHFA’s Section 8 Homeownership Program allows recipients of Housing Choice Vouchers to use their vouchers toward mortgage payments instead of rent. This transition from renting to owning empowers families with the stability and wealth-building potential of homeownership.

Participants must be working with a local Public Housing Authority (PHA) that offers a voucher homeownership option. CHFA then steps in with financial assistance and lending options to support the purchase.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for CHFA’s Section 8 Homeownership Program in Connecticut, applicants must:

• Currently receive Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher assistance from a participating housing authority.

• Be a first-time homebuyer (defined as not having owned a home in the past three years), or a qualified displaced homemaker or single parent.

• Meet minimum income and credit standards, which vary slightly depending on the size of the household and employment status.

• Have a minimum of one year of continuous full-time employment (unless disabled or elderly).

• Complete a CHFA-approved homebuyer education course, which prepares buyers for the responsibilities of homeownership.

Financial Assistance Offered

CHFA offers several forms of support to make homeownership attainable:

• Low-interest rate first mortgages for qualifying buyers.

• Down payment assistance through CHFA’s Downpayment Assistance Program (DAP), offering a reduced-rate second mortgage to cover down payment and closing costs.

• No minimum borrower contribution required for many borrowers using DAP.

• Some housing authorities may also offer additional subsidies to help reduce monthly housing costs in the initial years of homeownership.

Property and Loan Specifications

Eligible homes must be the buyer's primary residence and include:

• Single-family homes, townhomes, and units in Planned Unit Developments (PUDs).

• Condominiums that are FHA-approved or Fannie Mae-eligible.

• Two- to four-family properties, provided the property has been used for residential purposes for at least five years before purchase.

Most loans are structured as 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, offering stability and predictable payments. The buyer must occupy the home and cannot rent it out while receiving voucher assistance.

Application Process

Here’s how to get started:

1. Connect with a Participating Housing Authority: Ensure your PHA offers a voucher homeownership option.

2. Take a Homebuyer Education Course: CHFA requires completion of an approved educational program.

3. Meet with a CHFA-Participating Lender: These professionals guide you through the mortgage application and help determine what programs you qualify for. We would be happy to recommend a few CHFA-Participating Lenders.

4. Submit Required Documents: Provide income verification, credit reports, and housing history.

5. Search for a Home: With a pre-approval letter in hand, begin house hunting within your price range (Of course we could help with this too).

6. Close and Move In: Once all steps are complete and the loan is approved, you’ll be ready to sign, close, and move into your new home.

Advantages of the Program

This program offers more than just housing—it provides a foundation for lasting financial security. Benefits include:

• Equity Building: Each mortgage payment builds equity in your property.

• Stability: Homeownership offers long-term residence stability compared to renting.

• Affordability: Subsidized payments and down payment assistance make buying realistic for low-income families.

• Education and Support: Buyers gain financial literacy and confidence through mandatory courses.

Conclusion

Owning a home is a milestone many believe to be out of reach while receiving Section 8 assistance. Thanks to CHFA’s Section 8 Homeownership Program, Connecticut residents have a clear, structured path to turn this goal into a reality.

Note: This article may not be updated after program guidelines change.

Call to Action

If you're a Section 8 recipient dreaming of homeownership, CHFA's program might be your pathway. Contact us below to explore your options and take the first step toward owning your home.

From Classrooms to Living Rooms: How Connecticut’s Vacant Schools Are Becoming Housing Solutions

As Connecticut continues to grapple with a persistent housing shortage, cities across the state are finding creative solutions in the most unexpected places—former school buildings. These once-bustling centers of education are being transformed into modern apartment complexes, offering a second life to aging infrastructure while adding critical housing stock to communities in need.

Why Schools Make Smart Housing Conversions

Old schools offer several advantages as residential conversion projects. Structurally sound and often centrally located, these buildings already sit within established neighborhoods with access to public transit, parks, and local amenities. Their large windows, high ceilings, and historic architectural details lend character to living spaces that are often missing from new construction.

Moreover, developers can tap into state and federal historic preservation tax credits, making the economics of adaptive reuse more feasible—especially when compared to building new units from the ground up.

Housing Solutions Rooted in Local History

🏙️ Waterbury: Schoolhouse Apartments

In Waterbury, three long-closed schools—Wilby, Webster, and Bishop—have been transformed into the Schoolhouse Apartments. These properties now offer over 200 affordable units, primarily for elderly and disabled residents. The project preserved the buildings' architectural character while addressing an urgent local need for accessible housing. It’s a model example of how historic preservation and social impact can align.

🧱 New Haven: Strong School Redevelopment

Over in New Haven, the shuttered Strong School is being reimagined as a 58-unit apartment complex featuring mixed-income housing and community spaces. This development highlights a forward-thinking approach, emphasizing inclusivity and neighborhood revitalization. By restoring a vacant structure instead of tearing it down, the project preserves a piece of the city’s educational legacy while offering much-needed homes.

🏢 Meriden: From Convent to Community Housing

In Meriden, the former St. Joseph School was recently demolished, but the adjacent convent has been saved and repurposed into residential units. While not a school conversion in the strictest sense, it demonstrates how educational and religious institutions tied to historic school campuses can still serve the community’s evolving needs.

🏛️ New Britain: St. Mary’s Parochial School

St. Mary’s in New Britain stands as an early success story. Converted in the 1990s into senior housing, this 1904 Classical Revival building has maintained its exterior grandeur while providing affordable, dignified housing to elderly residents. It's a testament to how thoughtful redevelopment can balance history with modern living.

🏫 Middletown: Woodrow Wilson High School

Middletown’s former Woodrow Wilson High School is another example of successful adaptive reuse. Built in 1931, the building has been converted into apartments that preserve its classic façade and layout. It adds residential capacity while honoring the town’s civic past—proving that even large, dated structures can serve contemporary needs.

Beyond the Bricks: The Broader Benefits

These projects offer more than just new housing—they represent a broader shift toward smart growth, sustainability, and community revitalization. By reusing existing structures, towns can limit sprawl, preserve open space, and inject life back into neglected properties. Residents benefit from unique living spaces steeped in local history, while municipalities see increased tax revenues and revitalized neighborhoods.

The Challenges of Repurposing Schools

Of course, these conversions aren’t without hurdles. Renovating aging infrastructure is often more complex and costly than new construction. Developers must navigate building codes, zoning laws, and occasionally resistance from residents wary of change. Still, with the right incentives and community engagement, these challenges can be overcome—as the projects across central Connecticut clearly show.

Conclusion: A Vision for the Future

As Connecticut faces one of the worst housing shortages in recent history, the answer may lie in the buildings we already have. Waterbury, New Haven, Meriden, New Britain, and Middletown are proving that the adaptive reuse of old schools is more than just a creative housing solution—it’s a smart, sustainable strategy for urban development.

Looking for housing in one of Connecticut’s revitalized historic properties? Interested in investing or learning more about adaptive reuse opportunities? Contact us below for help with buying, selling, renting, investing, tenant placement, or property management.