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By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 1, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Babylon, NY (2026)

Population: 12,205 | Median home price: $650,000 | Est. closing costs: $13,000 - $19,500

Skyline of Babylon, NY

Babylon is a hamlet on the South Shore of Long Island in the Town of Babylon, Suffolk County, New York. With a median home price around $650,000, it sits in one of Long Island's more desirable waterfront communities. The Town of Babylon HOME Down Payment Assistance Program stands out as one of the most generous local programs on Long Island, providing up to $50,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan for first-time homebuyers purchasing within the town. Community Housing Innovations offers grants of $25,000 to $35,000 for first-time buyers in Suffolk County. Community Development Long Island provides low-interest loans up to $75,000 toward down payment and closing costs. At the state level, SONYMA's Down Payment Assistance Loan offers up to $15,000 as a forgivable loan, and the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program provides grants up to $30,000. By stacking town, nonprofit, and state programs, Babylon homebuyers can potentially access over $80,000 in combined assistance.

City Programs in Babylon

Town of Babylon HOME Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $50,000
First-time only:
Yes

State Programs in New York

FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes
SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL)
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
SONYMA DPAL PLUS
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes

Federal Programs

FHA Loans
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
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)
Type:
Government Property Sale Program
Amount:
50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:
Yes
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)
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
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)
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
HUD $100 Down Program
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
USDA Rural Development Loans
Type:
Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:
100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:
No
VA Loans
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

CDLI Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Loan
Type:
Repayable Loan
Amount:
Up to $75,000
First-time only:
Yes
CHI First Time Homebuyer Grant Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
$25,000 to $35,000 (49% max for down payment and closing costs; 51% minimum for home repairs)
First-time only:
Yes
Habitat for Humanity of Long Island Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home purchase with subsidized mortgage
First-time only:
Yes
National Faith Homebuyers Down Payment Assistance
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
$5,000 to $10,000 forgivable loan (amount varies by location)
First-time only:
No

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Town of Babylon HOME DPA requires household income at or below 80% of the HUD median income for the Nassau-Suffolk area, with a minimum income of $30,000. You must be a first-time homebuyer who has not owned a home in the past three years.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. All major programs require a HUD-approved course. The Long Island Housing Partnership provides free mortgage counseling and administers the Town of Babylon program. Contact LIHP at (631) 435-4710. The Wyandanch Community Development Corp also offers housing counseling at (631) 643-4786. Community Development Long Island offers the NeighborWorks homebuyer education program at (631) 471-1215.

Step 3: Contact the Long Island Housing Partnership. LIHP administers the Town of Babylon HOME Down Payment Assistance Program and can help determine which additional programs you qualify for. Call (631) 435-4710 to request an intake form.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a SONYMA-approved lender to access state-level programs, or an FHLBNY member institution like Suffolk Credit Union to apply for the Homebuyer Dream Program grant of up to $30,000.

Step 5: Find a home within the Town of Babylon. The property must be a single-family dwelling within town boundaries that meets Federal Housing Quality Standards. No foreclosures, short sales, or bank-owned properties are eligible.

Step 6: Submit your applications. Apply for each program you qualify for. You must contribute a minimum of $3,000 from personal funds. Allow 30 to 60 days for processing. The Town of Babylon program loan is forgiven after 10 years of owner-occupancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Babylon?+
Babylon homebuyers can access several programs. The Town of Babylon HOME Down Payment Assistance Program provides up to $50,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan. The CHI First Time Homebuyer Grant offers $25,000 to $35,000, with up to 49% usable for down payment and closing costs. CDLI offers low-interest loans up to $75,000. At the state level, SONYMA DPAL provides up to $15,000 as a forgivable loan, and the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program offers grants up to $30,000. By combining eligible programs, buyers could access over $80,000 in total assistance.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
Yes, nearly all programs available in Babylon require first-time homebuyer status, which means you have not owned a home in the past three years. This applies to the Town of Babylon HOME DPA, CHI Grant, SONYMA DPAL, CDLI loan, and the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program.
Does the Suffolk County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program apply in Babylon?+
No. The Town of Babylon does not participate in the Suffolk County HOME Consortium, so the $30,000 Suffolk County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program cannot fund purchases within Babylon. However, Babylon has its own HOME Down Payment Assistance Program offering up to $50,000, which is actually more generous than the county program.
What is the maximum home price I can buy with assistance?+
The Town of Babylon HOME DPA does not publish a specific purchase price limit but requires the home to meet Federal Housing Quality Standards and be within town boundaries. The CDLI loan caps at $500,000. SONYMA programs have county-specific limits. With a median home price of $650,000, some Babylon properties may exceed the CDLI limit, but the Town of Babylon and state programs can still provide significant assistance.
What homebuyer education is required?+
All major programs require a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. The Long Island Housing Partnership provides free mortgage counseling and administers the Town of Babylon program. Contact them at (631) 435-4710. The Wyandanch Community Development Corp offers housing counseling at (631) 643-4786. Community Development Long Island offers the NeighborWorks Home Buyer Education Program at (631) 471-1215.

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