See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 2, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Clarkstown, NY (2026)

Population: 86,000 | Median home price: $635,000 | Est. closing costs: $12,500 - $19,000

Clarkstown is a large town in Rockland County, New York, located about 30 miles north of New York City in the lower Hudson Valley. With a median home price around $635,000, buying here is a significant investment, but multiple assistance programs can help. The SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan offers up to $15,000, while SONYMA DPAL PLUS provides up to $30,000 in assistance. The FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program offers grants up to $30,000 for qualifying first-time buyers. At the county level, the Rockland County HOME First-Time Homebuyer Assistance program provides deferred loans for down payment and closing costs. Community Housing Innovations offers grants up to $75,000 for down payment, closing costs, and rehabilitation through the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation. By combining state, county, and nonprofit programs, Clarkstown buyers could access well over $100,000 in total assistance.

County Programs in Rockland County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Rockland County HOME First-Time Homebuyer Assistance	Deferred Loan	Varies (down payment and closing cost assistance)	Yes	View →

Rockland County HOME First-Time Homebuyer Assistance

Type:: Deferred Loan
Amount:: Varies (down payment and closing cost assistance)
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 →

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

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 →

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

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Community Housing Innovations Homeownership Grant	Grant	Up to $75,000 (60% for down payment/closing costs, 40% for rehabilitation)	Yes	View →
Habitat for Humanity of Rockland County Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable home purchase with no-profit pricing and affordable mortgage	No	View →

Community Housing Innovations Homeownership Grant

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to $75,000 (60% for down payment/closing costs, 40% for rehabilitation)
First-time only:: Yes

Habitat for Humanity of Rockland County Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable home purchase with no-profit pricing and affordable mortgage
First-time only:: No

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13 programs available in Clarkstown. See which ones you qualify for.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Rockland County. Some programs like Community Housing Innovations allow income up to New York State maximum levels. Confirm you meet the first-time homebuyer requirement (no homeownership in the past 3 years) for the programs you plan to use.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact the Rockland Housing Action Coalition at 845-708-5799 for HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer education workshops in English or Spanish. Their office is located at 475 Route 304, Suite 1, New City, NY 10956.

Step 3: Contact local housing partners. Reach out to Community Housing Innovations at 845-330-3948 ext. 3004 to learn about their Homeownership Grant of up to $75,000. Also contact the Rockland County Office of Community Development at 845-364-3939 to ask about HOME program assistance.

Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a SONYMA-approved lender to access the DPAL (up to $15,000) or DPAL PLUS (up to $30,000). Ask your lender if they participate in the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program for an additional grant of up to $30,000.

Step 5: Find a home within program limits. Search for properties in Clarkstown that meet any applicable purchase price limits for the programs you're using.

Step 6: Submit your applications. Work with your lender and housing counselor to submit applications for all programs you qualify for. Processing times vary, so start early in your home search.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Clarkstown?+

Clarkstown buyers can stack multiple programs for significant assistance. The SONYMA DPAL provides up to $15,000, SONYMA DPAL PLUS offers up to $30,000, and the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program grants up to $30,000. The Rockland County HOME program provides additional deferred loan assistance for down payment and closing costs. Community Housing Innovations offers grants up to $75,000 for down payment, closing costs, and rehabilitation combined. By layering eligible programs, total assistance could exceed $100,000.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+

Most programs available in Clarkstown require first-time homebuyer status, defined as not having owned a home in the past three years. The SONYMA DPAL and DPAL PLUS, FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program, Rockland County HOME assistance, and Community Housing Innovations grant all have first-time buyer requirements. Federal programs like FHA and USDA loans do not require first-time buyer status.

What is the maximum home price I can pay?+

Purchase price limits vary by program. SONYMA sets county-specific purchase price limits that are updated periodically. The FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program does not set a specific purchase price cap but requires income at or below 80% of AMI. Check with a SONYMA-approved lender for the current Rockland County purchase price limit, as it adjusts based on market conditions.

What homebuyer education is required?+

Most programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. The Rockland Housing Action Coalition at 475 Route 304, Suite 1, New City, NY offers pre-purchase counseling and education workshops in English and Spanish. You can reach them at 845-708-5799. Community Housing Innovations also requires attendance at their free Grant Orientation session in addition to HUD education.

What are the typical closing costs in Clarkstown?+

Based on the median home price of $635,000, estimated closing costs in Clarkstown range from $12,500 to $19,000. These costs include title insurance, attorney fees, recording fees, and other settlement charges. Several programs including the SONYMA DPAL, FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program, and Community Housing Innovations grant can be applied toward closing costs in addition to the down payment.

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Buying a home in Clarkstown? 13 programs could help.

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