Township of Irvington New Jersey

MUNICIPAL BUILDING 1 CIVIC SQUARE IRVINGTON, NJ 07111
Main Phone: 973-399-8111
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Irvington Keys to the City Program

Helping Irvington residents and employees become first-time homeowners.
The Township of Irvington’s Keys to the City Program helps eligible residents and township employees purchase affordable homes while building long-term stability and generational wealth.
Application Opens: Thursday, March 26, 2026 8:00 am
Application Closes: Monday, June 1st, 2026 5:00 pm
Applications must be submitted online through the official housing portal.
Application Portal:
Access Portal

About the Program Building Homeownership in Irvington

The Keys to the City Program is a first-time homebuyer initiative created by Mayor Tony Vauss and the Township of Irvington to make homeownership more accessible for people who live or work in the community. Funded through the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, the initiative helps eligible households purchase affordable homes within the Township.

The program supports:

  • Access to safe, affordable housing
  • Long-term financial stability
  • Community investment and wealth building for Irvington families
Who Can Apply

Applicants must meet one of the following residency or employment requirements:

Irvington Residents

  • Must provide proof of at least 2 years of residency

Township Employees

  • Must be a full-time employee of the Township of Irvington
  • Must have worked for the township for at least 2 consecutive years

Income Eligibility

  • Households must meet HOME Program income guidelines
  • Income must be at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) adjusted by household size
Program Requirements

Applicants selected through the lottery must meet the following conditions:

Home Purchase

  • Homes are properties within the Township of Irvington
  • There are two 1 (one) family homes and two 2 (two) family homes available

Affordability Agreement

  • Buyers must sign a mortgage and note with the Township
  • The property will have a 30-year affordability period

Homebuyer Education

  • Selected participants must complete homebuyer counseling through a HUD-certified agency
How the Process Works

All interested applicants must submit a pre-application during the official application window in order to be considered for the program. Applications will be reviewed to confirm that applicants meet the basic eligibility and pre-qualification requirements.

Applicants who meet the initial eligibility criteria will be entered into a randomized lottery selection process. From this group, the top 20 applicants will be selected and placed on a waiting list. From this group, four eligible households will ultimately be selected in order to move forward in the program and purchase the available homes.

If, for any reason, a selected applicant is unable to complete the home purchase or close on the property, the next eligible applicant on the waiting list will be reviewed and selected to move forward in the program.

Affordability Requirements

Homes offered through this program are made affordable through funding provided by the HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME).

Primary Residence Requirement
All homes purchased through the program must be occupied as the buyer’s primary residence for the entire 30-year affordability period unless otherwise designated by the Township of Irvington

Multifamily Properties
For multifamily homes, any additional units must be rented in accordance with HOME Program guidelines, including income eligibility and affordability requirements for tenants.

Program Guidance
Selected participants will receive additional instructions and guidance throughout the process to ensure compliance with all program requirements.

For additional information about the program: please contact the Department of Economic Development and Grants Oversight at 973-399-6785 or via email at bswdc@irvingtonnj.gov