- Worker Advantage: $20,000 for eligible essential workers as a 30-year, non-forgivable second mortgage.
- Home Is Possible: regular HIP offers up to 5%; the separate first-time-buyer version offers up to 4%.
- Teachers: qualifying Nevada public-school teachers may receive $7,500, forgivable after five years.
- MCC: Nevada Rural Housing paused new Mortgage Credit Certificate applications on January 1, 2026.
Which Nevada down-payment assistance could help a Clark County buyer in 2026? Nevada Housing Division currently describes four options worth checking: Worker Advantage, regular Home Is Possible, HIP for First-Time Homebuyers, and HIP for Teachers. Eligibility, rates, funding, and lender participation can change. The comparison below uses program administrator pages reviewed October 2, 2026; confirm an exact offer with an approved lender.
Nevada Housing Division assistance compared
| Program | Assistance | Repayment structure | Income | First-time buyer? | Other key condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worker Advantage | $20,000 | 30-year, 0% non-forgivable second mortgage | 150% AMI; Clark $147,300 | No | Essential worker; six months of Nevada residency |
| Home Is Possible | Up to 5% of loan amount | 0% non-forgivable second mortgage | $165,000 | No | Check current loan and property rules |
| HIP for First-Time Homebuyers | Up to 4% of loan amount | 30-year, 0% non-forgivable second mortgage | County and household-size limits | Yes | Clark County limits vary by household size |
| HIP for Teachers | $7,500 | Forgivable after five years in the home | $165,000 | No | Licensed full-time Nevada K–12 public school classroom teacher; offered through Dec. 31, 2026 |
Cash-to-close example: 5% of a $400,000 first loan is $20,000; 4% is $16,000. The assistance is a separate second mortgage and does not necessarily make total closing cash zero. Compare the first mortgage rate, monthly payment, and second-mortgage repayment terms before choosing a program.
How does Worker Advantage work?
The Nevada Housing Division program page states $20,000 in assistance through a no-interest, no-payment, non-forgivable 30-year second mortgage. A borrower must work in a qualifying essential-worker category, have lived in Nevada for at least six months, complete homebuyer education, and meet the 150% AMI income cap. The listed Clark County cap is $147,300; the home-price cap is $832,750. A prior Home Is Possible user is ineligible. No first-time-buyer requirement applies. The program page lists FHA, VA, USDA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac underwriting paths, subject to guidelines.
Regular HIP versus HIP for First-Time Homebuyers
Regular Home Is Possible lists assistance up to 5% of the first loan amount and does not require a first home. The separate first-time-buyer program lists up to 4% as a 30-year, non-forgivable second mortgage. First-time buyers must not have owned a home in the previous three years and must meet county purchase-price and income limits. Neither percentage should be described as a grant or automatic forgiveness. Check the current program rate and full loan costs, which can differ from a loan without assistance.
Home Is Possible for Teachers
NHD lists $7,500 for licensed, full-time Nevada K–12 public-school classroom teachers. It can be used for down payment and closing costs and is forgivable after five years in the home. The page lists a $165,000 income cap, $832,750 home-price cap, and availability through December 31, 2026. Teachers need not be first-time buyers.
What about Home At Last and MCC?
Home At Last is run by Nevada Rural Housing, not NHD. Its published October 2 rate table shows a 0% assistance option for the listed loan categories. Ask an NRH participating lender whether another assistance option is currently available for the property; eligibility in Clark County is address-specific. We do not count it as an active cash-assistance option in the table above.
Mortgage Credit Certificate: Nevada Rural Housing paused new MCC applications effective January 1, 2026. It is a tax-credit program, not down-payment cash. Existing MCC holders can still seek reissuance after refinancing. Do not plan a new 2026 purchase around an MCC unless the administrator announces a reopening.
VA and USDA mortgages are first-loan types, not down-payment-assistance programs. Eligible borrowers may need no down payment, but closing costs and program eligibility still matter. Whether assistance can be paired with a particular first loan must be checked under the current program and lender rules.
Tell our team your location, loan goal, and whether you may qualify for a state program. We can review loan options and identify where approved-program lender participation must be confirmed. Program eligibility and availability are determined under the administrator's current rules; this page is not an offer or commitment to lend.
Discuss my optionsFrequently asked questions
Is Nevada Worker Advantage assistance forgivable?
No. Nevada Housing Division describes the $20,000 as a no-interest, no-payment, non-forgivable 30-year second mortgage. Eligibility includes an essential-worker job, six months of Nevada residency, and income up to 150% of area median income.
How much does regular Home Is Possible offer?
Nevada Housing Division lists up to 5% of the loan amount for regular Home Is Possible. Its separate first-time-buyer program offers up to 4%. Both are second mortgages; verify current terms with an approved lender.
Is Nevada’s Mortgage Credit Certificate open to new buyers?
Nevada Rural Housing paused new Mortgage Credit Certificate applications effective January 1, 2026. Existing certificate holders may still request reissuance after refinancing.
Do I need to be a first-time homebuyer?
Not for Worker Advantage, regular Home Is Possible, or Home Is Possible for Teachers. The separate HIP for First-Time Homebuyers program requires no home ownership in the prior three years.
Can I combine two assistance programs?
Do not assume two second mortgages can be combined. Ask an approved program lender to check the exact program, first mortgage, property, and current stacking rules before relying on a combined amount.
Sources and review date
Reviewed October 2, 2026. Primary sources: NHD Worker Advantage, NHD regular HIP, NHD HIP for First-Time Homebuyers, NHD HIP for Teachers, Nevada Rural Housing current options, and NRH MCC status. Income caps, assistance options, rates, funding, and availability can change. Valley West Mortgage, NMLS #65506, is not affiliated with these agencies. Verify with each program administrator and an approved lender.