Down Payment Assistance Programs in Nevada
Nevada’s housing market continues to grow, with home prices and availability varying across regions like Las Vegas, Reno, and Henderson. For those looking to buy a home, it’s important to understand the resources that can make the process more affordable and accessible.
Nevada offers a range of down payment assistance (DPA) programs at the state and regional levels. These include grants, forgivable loans, and deferred-payment options that can help reduce upfront costs and support long-term homeownership goals.
This guide highlights some of the most widely available and impactful DPA programs across Nevada. While not exhaustive, it focuses on programs that serve a broad range of buyers. We’ll continue to update this page as programs change over time.
Statewide and Regional Down Payment Assistance Programs
Several programs operate statewide or serve eligible regions, with options for both first-time buyers and repeat homeowners. Here are the top programs to know about.
Home Is Possible (Nevada Housing Division)
The Home Is Possible (HIP) Program offers up to 5% of the loan amount to use toward down payment and closing costs on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. The assistance comes as an interest-free second loan with no monthly payments. It must be repaid at the end of its 30-year term, or earlier if you move out, sell, refinance or pay off the first mortgage.
Eligibility: First-time and repeat buyers can apply. Qualifying income generally must be $165,000 or less, with lower limits for some conventional options. The minimum credit score is 640 (660 for manufactured homes). Homebuyer education and primary occupancy are required, and debt-to-income ratio limits depend on the loan type and credit score.
Home Is Possible for First-Time Homebuyers
The Home Is Possible First-Time Homebuyer Program is a version of HIP designed for first-time buyers. It provides up to 4% of the loan amount as assistance through an interest-free, 30-year second loan. This program generally offers a lower rate on the primary mortgage than the standard Home Is Possible program.
There are no monthly payments, but the assistance is not forgiven. Repayment is due at the end of the term, or earlier if you sell, refinance, move out or pay off the first mortgage.
Eligibility: Buyers generally must not have owned a primary residence in the past three years, although exceptions apply to qualified veterans and buyers in designated targeted areas. Borrowers must meet county-specific purchase-price and income limits, which also depend on household size and loan type. A credit score of at least 640 is required (660 for manufactured homes), along with primary occupancy and a homebuyer education course.
Launchpad (Nevada Rural Housing)
The Launchpad programs help buyers in Nevada’s rural counties and eligible parts of Clark and Washoe counties. Launchpad offers 3% or 5% of the loan amount and is open to repeat buyers. Launchpad for First-Time Homebuyers offers 2% or 4% and generally requires no primary-home ownership in the past three years.
Both options provide interest-free second loans with no monthly payments. The assistance is not forgiven and must be repaid at the end of 30 years, or earlier if you sell, refinance, pay off the first mortgage or move out.
Eligibility: Buyers must purchase in an eligible area, live in the home and complete homebuyer education. Credit scores generally start at 640, with higher requirements for some properties and loan options. Income and purchase-price rules differ between the two programs. The first-time-buyer version also has exceptions for qualified veterans and buyers in targeted areas.
Rural Rocks $20K (Nevada Rural Housing)
The Rural Rocks $20K Program provides $20,000 toward down payment and closing costs for homes in Nevada Rural Housing’s eligible rural areas. Buyers can also use part of the assistance to reduce their mortgage rate.
The assistance is an interest-free second loan with no monthly payments. It is forgiven at the end of its 30-year term, with no gradual forgiveness beforehand. Selling, refinancing, paying off the first mortgage or moving out sooner makes the full balance due.
Eligibility: First-time and repeat buyers can apply. Buyers must have lived in Nevada for at least six months, own no other property at closing, live in the home and complete homebuyer education. Income limits vary by county, and the purchase price cannot exceed $832,750. Minimum credit score requirements start at 620 with some participating lenders; other options require 640 or higher.
Middle-Income Downpayment Assistance
The Middle-Income Downpayment Assistance Program offers grants of up to $40,000 toward down payment and closing costs through participating financial institutions. Buyers must contribute at least $10,000, which can come from savings or gifts. There is no minimum period you must remain in the home to keep the grant.
Eligibility: The program generally serves first-time buyers with household income above 80% and up to 140% of HUD AMI, adjusted for household size. Homebuyer counseling and primary occupancy are required. A limited exception is available for certain lower-income FHA buyers who cannot use WISH because of its program requirements.
Down Payment Assistance Programs by County
In Nevada, RNDC offers down payment assistance across multiple counties.
Rural Nevada Development Corporation (RNDC) – Deferred Loan Program
The RNDC Program serves Carson City and most counties outside Clark and Washoe. It helps lower-income, first-time buyers with interest-free loans for down payment and eligible closing costs. No monthly payments are required while the home remains your primary residence. Depending on the funding source, the loan can be forgiven after three to ten years. Selling, transferring the home or moving out earlier can require repayment.
Eligibility: Applicants must be first-time buyers who have not owned a home in the past three years, meet RNDC’s income and purchase-price limits, qualify for a mortgage and occupy the home as their primary residence. The property must meet HUD quality standards. Assistance amounts depend on the funding source.
Additional Down Payment Assistance Programs in Nevada
Here are some additional programs, separate from those already mentioned, that may be useful.
State Programs
County Programs
Understanding AMI Requirements
AMI stands for Area Median Income. It represents the midpoint income for a particular area and is commonly used by down payment assistance programs to set applicant income limits.
The AMI that applies to you is based on where you’re buying, not where you currently live. Household size can also affect the income limit, with larger households often allowed to earn more.
For example, if a program is limited to borrowers earning 120% or less of AMI and the applicable AMI is $95,000, someone earning at or below $114,000 meets the program’s income requirement.
You can look up AMI by property address using Fannie Mae’s AMI Lookup Tool.
Final Thoughts
Nevada’s housing market continues to expand, with prices and opportunities varying across the state. Fortunately, there are numerous programs available to help with upfront costs. With statewide options like Home Is Possible and additional regional and county programs, eligible first-time and repeat buyers can access thousands of dollars in assistance. Use our loan calculators to estimate your payments and stay up to date with current mortgage rates to make informed decisions. If you’re planning to buy in Nevada, taking advantage of these programs could make a real difference.
Check with the organization directly for the most recent guidelines. While programs were fact-checked at the time of writing, requirements change often, and programs become unavailable when funds are exhausted.
