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Get Matched Free →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.
Top Homebuyer 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 → |
| 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 → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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 → |
| 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 → |
| FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program | Grant | Up to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
| SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 or 3% of purchase price, whichever is greater (minimum $1,000) | Yes | View → |
| SONYMA DPAL PLUS | Forgivable Loan | Up to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $50,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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
- 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
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 or 3% of purchase price, whichever is greater (minimum $1,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000
- 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.