See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 2, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Cortlandt, NY (2026)
Cortlandt is a town in the northwestern corner of Westchester County, New York, bordered by the Hudson River to the west and Putnam County to the north. With a median home price around $640,000, the area offers a more affordable entry point compared to much of lower Westchester. The Westchester County Home Ownership Initiative and the Hudson Valley Home Ownership and Revitalization Program each provide up to $25,000 in forgivable loans for income-eligible first-time buyers. The Community Housing Innovations Homeownership Grant can offer up to $75,000 toward down payment, closing costs, and rehabilitation. The WRO and HDSW First Home Club programs provide up to $5,000 and $7,500 respectively in matched savings grants. By combining county, state, and federal programs, eligible Cortlandt buyers could stack a significant package of assistance toward homeownership.
County Programs in Westchester County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hudson Valley Home Ownership and Revitalization Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $25,000 | Yes | View → |
| Westchester County Home Ownership Initiative | Forgivable Loan | Up to $25,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $25,000
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Housing Innovations Homeownership Grant | Grant | Up to $75,000 (60% for down payment/closing costs, 40% for rehabilitation) | Yes | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity NYC and Westchester Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with reduced payments | Yes | View → |
| HDSW First Home Club | Grant | Up to $7,500 | Yes | View → |
| Magyar Bank Homebuyer Dream Program | Grant | Up to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
| WRO First Home Club | Grant | Up to $5,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $75,000 (60% for down payment/closing costs, 40% for rehabilitation)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with reduced payments
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $7,500
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Westchester County programs require household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income. Review current HUD income limits for Westchester County based on your household size.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO) at (914) 428-4507 to attend a Home Buying Orientation Workshop and complete the required Home Buying Education Program. Human Development Services of Westchester (HDSW) at (914) 939-2005 and Community Housing Innovations (CHI) at (914) 683-1010 also offer HUD-approved counseling.
Step 3: Enroll in a matched savings program. The WRO First Home Club matches your savings 3-to-1 up to $5,000, and the HDSW First Home Club offers up to $7,500. You must save for at least 10 months to qualify.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a SONYMA-approved lender to explore state mortgage programs, or contact a local credit union about the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program, which offers grants up to $30,000 for first-time buyers.
Step 5: Apply for down payment assistance. Submit applications for the Westchester County Home Ownership Initiative ($25,000) and the Community Housing Innovations Homeownership Grant (up to $75,000) through their respective agencies. Multiple programs can often be combined.
Step 6: Find a home in Cortlandt within program guidelines. Work with your real estate agent to identify eligible properties. Visit the Westchester County HomeSeeker portal for affordable housing opportunities in the area.
Step 7: Close on your new home. Your housing counselor and lender will coordinate the closing process, ensuring all assistance funds are applied correctly to your purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Cortlandt?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What are the income limits for Cortlandt programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
How does the Hudson Valley Home Ownership and Revitalization Program work?+−
Can I combine multiple assistance programs?+−
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