Mayor Fulop & Community Development Expand Access to First-Time Homebuyers with Up to $150,000 in Assistance
Mayor Fulop & Community Development Expand Access to First-Time Homebuyers with Up to $150,000 in Assistance for Low to Moderate-Income Residents
Jersey City’s Golden Neighborhood Program Helps Families Achieve the Dream of Homeownership
JERSEY CITY, NJ —Mayor Steven M. Fulop and the city’s
Division of Community Development (DCD) announce the awarding of grant funding to help first-time homebuyers earning 80% or less of the Area Median Income (AMI) purchase homes through the
Golden Neighborhood First-time Homeownership Program (GNHP).
Designed to make homeownership more attainable for low- and moderate-income families across the city, the program is implemented by the city’s DCD and federally funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Home Investment Partnership Grant (HOME).
More than 1,600 eligible applicants entered the lottery, with funding being distributed to qualified recipients. Each awardee may receive up to 10% of the home purchase price for a down payment, plus $10,000 toward closing costs, with a maximum subsidy of $150,000 per household. The DCD increased grant amounts from $40,000 when the program was last implemented in 2018.
“This program opens the door for our low-income and working-class families to become homeowners and build stability for the future,” said
Mayor Fulop. “We are proud to provide real opportunities for residents to invest in their community and strengthen neighborhoods through homeownership.”
The GNHP provides financial support to first-time buyers who meet income eligibility guidelines and complete program requirements. To qualify, participants must secure a pre-approval mortgage, complete 8 hours of HUD-approved homebuyer education, and obtain a certificate demonstrating their readiness for homeownership.
These steps will be discussed in DCD’s upcoming Housing & Mortgage Fair on Saturday, October 25th, at 39 Kearney Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07305. This event will be held from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
“Homeownership is one of the most important pathways to financial security,” said
Deja Anderson, Director of the Division of Community Development. “The response to this program shows how strong the demand is among residents who are ready to invest in Jersey City but need help bridging the gap to ownership. This funding is life-changing for many families.”
The Abbas family recently visited City Hall to accept their very large check for $150,000 to purchase their first home for their family, which includes two young children.
“We are moved to tears we are so incredibly thankful for this opportunity to actually purchase our very own home. We could never have even dreamed of buying a home, and the fact that it is becoming a reality for us and our two children is truly a miracle thanks to the city and the Community Development team,” exclaimed
Mrs. Abbas.
The Division of Community Development administers the GNHP as part of its broader housing initiatives to promote equity, neighborhood revitalization, and long-term housing stability. Once the current list of eligible applicants is exhausted, DCD will open a new application period and conduct another lottery to continue helping more families purchase their first homes.
In addition, DCD is preparing to relaunch its
Home Improvement Repair Program, providing up to
$25,000 in assistance for critical repairs such as roofing and masonry to help existing low to moderate-income homeowners maintain safe, stable housing and allow seniors to age in place. The program is expected to open in Spring 2026 following the completion of community input and planning.
For more information about the Golden Neighborhood First-time Homeownership Program and other housing initiatives, please visit
jerseycitynj.gov/communitydevelopment or contact
[email protected].
All media inquiries should be directed to Kimberly Wallace-Scalcione at
[email protected].