Nebraska first-time home buyer programs
Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) lists 2 programs that help buyers in Nebraska with the down payment or closing costs. Amounts and terms are shown as the agency publishes them.
- Programs from the agency
- 2
- Biggest amount listed
- 5% of the loan
- First-time buyers only
- 1 of 2 programs
- Income caps
- Up to $182,800
Down payment assistance programs in Nebraska
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homebuyer Assistance Program (HBA). With a NIFA First Home Loan (Conventional, FHA, USDA Rural Development or VA); credit score 640+; homebuyer course. | Up to 5% of the price | Repayable loan: 1% interest second mortgage repaid over 10 years (120 months). | Income limits depend on your household size and county. | Yes |
| Welcome Home Assistance (WHA). With a NIFA Welcome Home loan; credit score 640+; homebuyer course; price limit $485,500 for one unit; $607,000 for two units. | Up to 5% of the price | Repayable loan: Repaid over 10 years at 1% interest. | Household income up to $182,800. | No |
Usually, "first-time buyers only" means you haven't owned a home during the past three years, though every program sets a rule of its own. The name of each program links to a Nebraska Investment Finance Authority page that says whether applications are open right now. The agency also maintains its own list of participating lenders. Compare down payment assistance programs across all states, or ask a lender that works with Nebraska's programs.
How do you repay Nebraska's programs?
- Repayable loan: a small second mortgage you pay back monthly, usually along with your first mortgage payment.
How does your income compare with Nebraska's caps?
Every program has its own income cap, which the table shows, and the exact chart is on that program's agency page. Use the HUD income limits lookup (FY2026) to find the figure for your county and household size. If a program relies on its own county chart or Freddie Mac's, the result can differ from HUD's number, and the agency's chart decides.
| HUD area | Median family income | HUD low-income limit |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha-Council Bluffs | $114,000 | $91,200 |
| Saunders County | $117,600 | $94,100 |
| Lincoln | $106,600 | $85,300 |
| Seward County | $106,200 | $86,800 |
| Howard County | $100,000 | $80,000 |
Talk to a lender that works with Nebraska programs
These programs are paid out through the agency's approved lenders, so the lender is your next step. Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with Nebraska's programs can explain which ones fit you.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.
Are you buying near a state border?
Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, South Dakota, Wyoming or programs for all 50 states plus DC.