See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 2, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Cheektowaga, NY (2026)
Cheektowaga is a large town in Erie County, New York, bordering the City of Buffalo with a population of approximately 88,000. With a median home price around $250,000, it offers relatively affordable homeownership in the Western New York region. First-time buyers can access the Town of Cheektowaga Closing Cost Assistance program for up to $5,000 as a zero-interest deferred loan, and the Cheektowaga CHDO Homebuyer Program provides up to $10,000 in grants toward down payment and closing costs on rehabbed homes. County-wide programs include the Homeownership First Program (up to $5,000 grant) and the NeighborWorks Community Partners DPA Loan ($4,000 to $7,500). State-level programs like the SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (up to $15,000) and the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program (up to $30,000) add substantial additional support. By stacking local, county, and state programs, eligible Cheektowaga buyers could potentially receive over $50,000 in combined assistance.
City Programs in Cheektowaga
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheektowaga CHDO Homebuyer Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 towards down payment and/or closing costs | Yes | View → |
| Town of Cheektowaga Closing Cost Assistance | Deferred Loan | Up to $5,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 towards down payment and/or closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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:
- 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 in Cheektowaga require household income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI) and first-time homebuyer status, meaning you have not owned a home in the past three years.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact Belmont Housing Resources for WNY at (716) 884-7791 to enroll in a HUD-approved homebuyer education workshop. NeighborWorks Community Partners also offers homebuyer education courses in the Buffalo area.
Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a SONYMA-approved lender to explore state programs like the SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (up to $15,000 at 0% interest). Ask your lender about the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program (up to $30,000 in grants).
Step 4: Apply for Cheektowaga town programs. Contact the Town of Cheektowaga Office of Community and Economic Development at (716) 897-7200 to apply for up to $5,000 in closing cost assistance. Also ask about the CHDO Homebuyer Program for rehabbed homes with up to $10,000 in grants.
Step 5: Explore additional assistance. Contact NeighborWorks Community Partners for their DPA Loan ($4,000 to $7,500) and the Homeownership First Program (up to $5,000 grant). The Matt Urban Center at (716) 893-7222 ext. 220 can help with CHDO property availability.
Step 6: Find a home in Cheektowaga. Work with your real estate agent to identify properties that meet program requirements. For the CHDO program, rehabbed properties are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Step 7: Submit your full application and close. Coordinate with your lender, housing counselor, and program administrators to finalize all paperwork. Allow several weeks for processing once you have an accepted offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Cheektowaga?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What is the Cheektowaga CHDO Homebuyer Program?+−
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