• The American Dreamhome sweet home image by easaab from Fotolia.com
  
  The Department of Housing and Urban Development was created in 1965 to increase the numbers of home owners and to provide access to affordable housing. The Department, commonly known as HUD, has offices in every state. HUD has created numerous programs in New Hampshire to assist prospective home buyers.
  
  

New Hampshire Housing Program

• The New Hampshire Housing Program assists prospective homeowners with down payments and closing costs. You must be within certain income limits in order to qualify for the program. Income limits are based on family size and where you reside. The home you are planning to purchase must be under the stated purchase price limits. The program is only for first time home buyers who plan to make the home their primary residence.
  
  

Neighbor Works Home Ownership Centers

• Neighbor Works Home Ownership Centers provide assistance to home buyers who are underrepresented in the mortgage market, primarily women, minorities and families who are low to middle income. The centers allow people to take care of all their home ownership needs in one place. Neighbor Works Centers encompass the purchase, renovation, and maintenance for homes, all in one place. The Greater Manchester office is located at:
  
  Neighbor Works Home Ownership
  20 Merrimack Street
  Manchester, NH 03101
  603-626-4663
  
  

Homeward Bound

• Homeward Bound is an education program approved by HUD for first time New Hampshire home buyers. It is a free 8-hour course that teaches basic concepts and the steps involved in purchasing a home. Once you complete the course, you will receive a certificate of completion that will satisfy the counseling requirement mandated by many special loan programs such as the FHA. A link to their website is also listed in the Resources section.
  
  

Foreclosure Prevention Initiative

• If you are having trouble paying your mortgage, New Hampshire has a foreclosure assistance program that may be able to help. You will be placed with a housing counselor who will become your partner throughout the foreclosure process. The housing counselor will help you set a budget, determine ways to increase your income and reduce your debt, as well as assist in preparing a hardship letter for your bank and keeping track of important deadlines. A list of local Foreclosure Prevention offices is located under Resources.