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

Homebuyer Programs in Henrietta, NY (2026)

Population: 46,000 | Median home price: $280,000 | Est. closing costs: $5,500 - $8,500

Skyline of Henrietta, NY

Henrietta is a growing suburban town in Monroe County, New York, located just south of Rochester and home to Rochester Institute of Technology. With a median home price around $280,000, Henrietta offers buyers access to several strong assistance programs. The Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Grant Program provides up to $10,000 in grant funds for down payment and closing costs, and the ESL First Home Grant offers up to $21,000 toward your purchase. At the state level, the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program provides grants up to $30,000 for income-eligible buyers, and the SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan adds up to $15,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan. NeighborWorks Community Partners also serves the area with affordable lending and down payment assistance. By combining county, state, and federal programs, eligible buyers in Henrietta can stack significant financial support to make homeownership more attainable.

County Programs in Monroe County

Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Grant Program
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $10,000
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

ESL First Home Grant
Type:
Grant
Amount:
Up to $21,000
First-time only:
Yes
Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable mortgage with reduced payments
First-time only:
Yes
NeighborWorks Community Partners DPA Loan
Type:
Deferred Loan
Amount:
Varies based on borrower qualification
First-time only:
Yes

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% to 100% of the Area Median Income for Monroe County. Review the income requirements for each program you plan to use.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Housing Council at PathStone is the primary HUD-approved homebuyer education provider in the Rochester area and offers both in-person and online courses. Contact them at 585-546-3700 to register. Completing their course satisfies the education requirement for the Monroe County grant, FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program, and SONYMA programs.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Contact ESL Federal Credit Union about the ESL First Home Grant (up to $21,000), or reach out to Family First Federal Credit Union, Reliant Credit Union, or Genesee Regional Bank about the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program (up to $30,000). You can also connect with a SONYMA-approved lender for state down payment assistance loans.

Step 4: Apply for the Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Grant. Contact The Housing Council at PathStone at 585-546-3700 to apply for up to $10,000 in grant funds toward your down payment and closing costs. This program specifically serves suburban towns and villages of Monroe County, including Henrietta.

Step 5: Explore additional assistance through NeighborWorks Community Partners. They offer down payment and closing cost loans for qualified first-time homebuyers in the Rochester area. Contact them at 585-325-4170 or visit their office at 570 South Avenue in Rochester.

Step 6: Find a home in Henrietta within program guidelines. Work with your lender to confirm the property meets any purchase price limits. Once you have an executed purchase contract, your lender can submit funding reservations for the applicable grant and loan programs.

Step 7: Close on your home. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate all assistance funds to apply at closing. Plan for estimated closing costs of $5,500 to $8,500 based on the current median home price.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Henrietta?+
Henrietta homebuyers can access several programs that may be combined. The FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program offers grants up to $30,000, the ESL First Home Grant provides up to $21,000, the SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan offers up to $15,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan, and the Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Grant provides up to $10,000. NeighborWorks Community Partners also offers down payment and closing cost loans. Not all programs can be stacked, so work with a housing counselor at The Housing Council at PathStone to determine the best combination for your situation.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
Most programs available in Henrietta require first-time homebuyer status, which generally means you have not owned a home in the past three years. The Monroe County grant, FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program, ESL First Home Grant, and SONYMA DPAL all require first-time buyer status. Contact The Housing Council at PathStone at 585-546-3700 to discuss your specific eligibility.
What are the income limits for Henrietta homebuyer programs?+
Income limits vary by program. The FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program requires household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income for Monroe County, with HDP Plus extending to 120% AMI. The Monroe County grant requires income at or below 100% of the county median income. SONYMA programs have their own limits based on household size and county. Contact The Housing Council at PathStone at 585-546-3700 for current income limit figures.
What homebuyer education is required?+
Most programs require completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course before closing. The Housing Council at PathStone is the primary provider in the Rochester area and offers both in-person classes and an online option through eHome America. Contact them at 585-546-3700 or visit their website to view the class schedule. Their course satisfies the education requirement for the Monroe County grant, FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program, and SONYMA programs.
Does Henrietta have its own city-funded down payment assistance program?+
Henrietta does not currently offer a town-funded down payment assistance program. However, as a suburban town in Monroe County, Henrietta residents are eligible for the Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Grant Program (up to $10,000), plus all state and federal programs. The combination of available county, state, and nonprofit programs provides substantial assistance for eligible buyers.

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