Nevada Housing Division Launches New Down Payment Assistance Program to Help Essential Workers Become Homeowners

Carson City, NV – The Nevada Housing Division (NHD) today announced the launch of the Worker Advantage Program, a new down payment assistance initiative created as part of Governor Joe Lombardo’s Nevada Housing Access and Attainability Act (AB540), passed during the 2025 Legislative Session. The program is designed to help essential workers purchase a primary residence in Nevada by providing $20,000 in down payment assistance.

Backed by $18 million in available funding, the Worker Advantage Program aims to help approximately 900 Nevada households achieve the dream of homeownership. The program is first-come, first-served and will remain open until all allocated funds have been reserved.

“Nevada’s essential workers keep our communities running—they care for us, teach our children, build our homes, and protect our neighborhoods,” said Steve Aichroth, NHD Administrator. “The Worker Advantage Program is one way we can support hardworking Nevadans who support all of us by helping them build stability and equity through homeownership.”

 Program Highlights

Homebuyers who qualify for the Worker Advantage Program will receive $20,000 in down payment assistance, which may be used in one of the following ways:

• Apply the full $20,000 directly toward down payment assistance; or
• Use the funds to pay discount points equal to 2% or 4% of the principal loan amount to permanently buy down the Worker Advantage Program interest rate. Any remaining assistance may be applied toward down payment and/or closing costs.

Additional program features include:

• Assistance is provided as a no-interest, no-payment, non-forgivable 30-year second mortgage.
• At least one of the borrowers in a household must be employed in an “essential worker” category. Eligible professions include healthcare, education, public safety, and construction.
• Applicants must live in Nevada for at least six months at time of application.
• Household income limits apply: up to 150% of Area Median Income (AMI).
• Homebuyers do not need to be first-time buyers.
• Eligible home purchases up to $806,500.
• Homebuyers must occupy the property as their primary residence.
• Previous recipients of the Home Is Possible program are not eligible.

Additional information can be found at www.homeispossiblenv.org/worker-advantage.

 How to Apply

Nevadans interested in applying for the Worker Advantage Program should contact a Home Is Possible certified lender. A list of certified lenders can be found online at www.homeispossiblenv.org/find-lender-agent/find-lender.php.

About the Nevada Housing Division

The Nevada Housing Division, a division of the Department of Business and Industry, was created by the Nevada Legislature in 1975 when it was recognized that a shortage of safe, decent, and sanitary housing existed throughout the State for persons and families of low- and moderate-income.

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