Affordable & Community Lending
Community Reinvestment Act
Home Loans
The Community Reinvestment Act encourages banks to serve the credit needs of the communities they're part of. In practice, that means affordable lending programs that can lower the barriers to buying — for income-eligible buyers, or for homes in eligible neighborhoods — across Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Hudson, and Essex counties.
Check your buying power
See what you may qualify for
No obligation — get your estimated price range and monthly payment, powered by our lending partner, Bond Street Mortgage.
Explore the program
How community lending works
Benefits
What these programs can offer — from lower down payments and reduced mortgage insurance to closing-cost help and flexible underwriting.
See the benefits → 02Requirements
The two neutral ways to qualify — by income relative to the area median, or by the home's census tract — confirmed by your lender.
Check requirements → 03Eligible Properties
Browse homes in areas where community lending programs may apply, with eligibility always confirmed for the specific address.
View properties →Two ways to qualify
By income, or by neighborhood
Program names, terms, and eligibility are set by the lender and applicable federal data, and change periodically. Eligibility for any specific buyer or address is determined by Bond Street.
Eligible homes
Homes in eligible census tracts
A live look at homes whose addresses fall in lower-income census tracts per the 2026 FFIEC maps — see the dedicated Eligible Properties page for the full view. A tract match flags a candidate; Bond Street confirms eligibility for the specific address.
Listings are sourced and matched by an automated process against 2026 FFIEC census-tract data. Availability changes; a property appearing here may be under contract or sold. Confirm current status and program eligibility with the team.
What it is
From a federal law to a real advantage
The law behind it
The Community Reinvestment Act (1977) directs banks to help meet the credit needs of the communities they serve, including lower- and moderate-income neighborhoods. It's a framework for banks — not a single loan you apply for.
What you actually get
To meet those goals, lenders offer affordable and community lending products — and, in some cases, Special Purpose Credit Programs — with more flexible terms for eligible buyers or homes.
Qualifying is criteria-based
Eligibility rests on neutral factors: your income relative to the area median, or the home's census tract. Your lender confirms whether a specific buyer or property qualifies.
It can stack
Community lending often pairs with other programs — like NJHMFA down payment assistance — to lower your costs further.
Common questions
Community lending FAQs
Is a "CRA loan" a specific mortgage I apply for?
Not exactly. The Community Reinvestment Act is a federal law that encourages banks to lend in their communities. The benefit to you shows up as affordable and community lending products lenders offer to meet those goals — your lender will tell you which programs you may be eligible for.
How do I qualify?
There are two neutral paths: by income — often at or below 80% of the area median, though some programs allow more — or by the home being located in an eligible lower-income census tract. See the full requirements.
What can these programs save me?
It depends on the program, but benefits can include a lower down payment, reduced or waived mortgage insurance, closing-cost assistance, or more flexible credit guidelines. See the benefits.
Who decides if I'm eligible?
Bond Street, as the lender, determines eligibility for a specific buyer and address against the program's published criteria and the applicable federal data. Reach out and we'll connect you to start that review.
Our trusted lending partner
Bond Street Mortgage
We work hand-in-hand with Bond Street Mortgage, serving Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Hudson, and Essex counties. Their team coordinates with us from pre-approval through closing, and confirms eligibility for community lending programs.
Talk to the team
See if community lending fits
Reach out and we'll connect you with the right loan path and a pre-approval that holds weight in a competitive market.
RE/MAX Select - Chopper Russo Team. Thomas "Chopper" Russo, 392 Ramapo Valley Rd, Oakland, NJ 07436. Not a commitment to lend. Community and affordable lending programs, eligibility criteria, and terms are offered and determined by Bond Street Mortgage subject to applicable law and program guidelines. Equal Housing Opportunity.