See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 2, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Amherst, NY (2026)
Amherst is a large suburban town in Erie County, New York, located just east of Buffalo and home to the University at Buffalo. With a median home price around $330,000, Amherst offers a mix of suburban neighborhoods and strong schools. The Town of Amherst First-Time Homebuyer Program provides up to $50,000 as a 0% deferred loan for down payment and closing costs, forgiven after 15 years. Buyers can also access the SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan for up to $15,000 in zero-interest forgivable assistance, NeighborWorks Community Partners DPA Loans of $4,000 to $7,500, and the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program offering grants up to $30,000. By combining local, state, and federal programs, Amherst homebuyers can potentially stack significant assistance to make homeownership more affordable.
City Programs in Amherst
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Town of Amherst First-Time Homebuyer Program | Deferred Loan | Up to $50,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
State Programs in New York
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program | Grant | Up to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
| SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) | Forgivable Loan | Greater of $3,000 or 3% of the purchase price, capped at $15,000 (minimum $1,000); cannot exceed actual down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| SONYMA DPAL PLUS | Forgivable Loan | Up to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Greater of $3,000 or 3% of the purchase price, capped at $15,000 (minimum $1,000); cannot exceed actual down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
Federal Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FHA Loans | Government-Insured Mortgage | Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026) | No | View → |
| Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD) | Government Property Sale Program | 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes | Yes | View → |
| Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae) | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment | No | View → |
| HUD $100 Down Program | FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase | Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs. | No | View → |
| USDA Rural Development Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value | No | View → |
| VA Loans | Government-Guaranteed Mortgage | No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026) | No | View → |
- Type:
- Government-Insured Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
- Amount:
- Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
- First-time only:
- No
Nonprofit Programs
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat for Humanity Buffalo Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase with subsidized 30-year mortgage | No | View → |
| Home HeadQuarters Buffalo Closing Cost Assistance | Grant | Up to $9,000 ($5,000 deferred loan/grant plus $4,000 low-interest loan) | Yes | View → |
| Homeownership First Program (Erie County) | Grant | Up to $5,000 for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| National Faith Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance | Forgivable Loan | $5,000 to $10,000 forgivable loan (amount varies by location) | No | View → |
| NeighborWorks Community Partners Buffalo DPA Loan | Repayable Loan | $4,000 to $7,500 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase with subsidized 30-year mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $9,000 ($5,000 deferred loan/grant plus $4,000 low-interest loan)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000 for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- $5,000 to $10,000 forgivable loan (amount varies by location)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Repayable Loan
- Amount:
- $4,000 to $7,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Erie County. The Town of Amherst program also requires first-time homebuyer status.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. You must attend a HUD-certified Homebuyer Workshop through Belmont Housing Resources for WNY at (716) 884-7791 ext. 131 or the Buffalo Urban League at (716) 250-2400. This is required for the Town of Amherst program and most other assistance programs.
Step 3: Contact the Town of Amherst Community Development Office at (716) 631-7082 or communitydevelopment@amherst.ny.us to confirm current funding availability and begin your application for the First-Time Homebuyer Program.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a SONYMA-approved lender to explore state down payment assistance options, or contact a participating FHLBNY member lender for the Homebuyer Dream Program.
Step 5: Connect with NeighborWorks Community Partners at (716) 217-2468 about their Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Loan for additional support of $4,000 to $7,500.
Step 6: Find a home within program guidelines. The Town of Amherst program covers single-family or two-family homes, condominiums, and townhouses in the Town of Amherst or Village of Williamsville.
Step 7: Submit your applications and close on your home. Allow several weeks for processing and coordinate with your lender and the Community Development Office to align closing timelines.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Amherst?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Amherst?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is the Town of Amherst program always available?+−
Can I use multiple programs together?+−
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