Eligibility

  1. Applicants
  2. Properties
  3. Use of Funds

Participant Eligibility

Prospective homebuyers must meet 6 requirements to be eligible for HOME funds. They must:
  1. Be a first-time homebuyer (meaning not having owned a home in the last 3 years)
  2. Be a qualified low-income or very low-income household
  3. Be the owner of the property after purchase
  4. Occupy the property as their principal residence after the purchase
  5. Attend HUD-certified housing counseling certificate classes offered locally, and be committed to post-purchase counseling
Applicants who do not meet all 6 requirements are not eligible for assistance through this program.

Home Income Limits

The prospective homebuyer's household must have an annual income equal to or less than 80% of the median income for the target area. The HOME Program uses the Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Section 8 low-income limits. These limits are based on 80% of the area median income with adjustments for household size.

As these figures are revised annually, we recommend that interested applicants contact the Division of Neighborhood Housing and Revitalization at 973-266-5411, ext. 5398 for more information.

To ensure that all prospective homebuyers who receive assistance are eligible, the City's housing staff will need to collect income verification documentation from all applicants.