Nevada Rural Housing offers down payment assistance program for essential workers

Nevada Rural Housing (NRH) has launched Rural Rocks $20K, a new down payment assistance program that provides up to $20,000 to help Nevada essential workers purchase a home. The program opened Dec. 1 and is now available through NRH’s network of approved lending partners statewide.

Rural Rocks $20K is made possible through the Nevada Attainable Housing Act and Attainable Housing Fund, created by Assembly Bill 540 during the 2025 Nevada Legislative Session.

Similar to the $20,000 down payment assistance program offered by the Nevada Housing Division, Rural Rocks $20K is tailored specifically to meet the needs of rural homebuyers and the communities they serve. In some cases, Rural Rocks $20K loans may offer more favorable interest rates for eligible borrowers in NRH’s rural service area.

The new program is purpose-built for today’s essential workforce, including those in health care, education, public safety, and construction. To qualify, at least one borrower must work in a designated essential worker industry, and at least one borrower must have been a Nevada resident for six months or longer. First-time and repeat buyers are eligible.

The assistance can be applied toward down payment and closing costs, paired with a permanent interest rate reduction, or used solely for down payment and closing cost support. The program requires a minimum credit score of 640, expanding access for buyers who may not qualify for traditional financing alone.

“Nevada’s essential workers show up for our rural communities every day,” said Bill Brewer, executive director of Nevada Rural Housing. “Because of this funding, we can show up for them in return, helping more families plant roots, build equity, and access the long-term stability that comes with homeownership.”

The Rural Rocks $20K program has household income limits that vary by county, and eligible properties include single-family homes, condos, townhomes, and manufactured homes that will serve as the buyer’s primary residence in all rural jurisdictions, including the rural parts of Clark and Washoe counties.

Program funds are limited and reserved on a first-come, first-served basis through approved lenders. To learn more about Rural Rocks $20K, visit BuyRuralNV.org or connect with an approved Nevada Rural Housing lender.