See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 2, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Irondequoit, NY (2026)
Irondequoit is a suburban town on the shore of Lake Ontario just north of Rochester in Monroe County, New York, with a median home price around $234,000. First-time homebuyers here can access significant assistance through multiple programs, including the Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Grant Program offering up to $10,000 in grant funds and the ESL First Home Grant providing up to $21,000 toward down payment and closing costs. The FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program adds up to $30,000 in grants for qualifying buyers, while the SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan offers up to $15,000 as a zero-interest forgivable loan. The Urban League of Rochester and the Town of Irondequoit also partner on a Homebuyer Opportunity Program providing direct homebuyer assistance funding. By combining state, county, and local programs, eligible buyers in Irondequoit can stack substantial assistance to make homeownership more affordable.
County Programs in Monroe County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Grant Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESL First Home Grant | Grant | Up to $21,000 | Yes | View → |
| Greater Rochester Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with reduced payments | Yes | View → |
| NeighborWorks Community Partners DPA Loan | Deferred Loan | Varies based on borrower qualification | Yes | View → |
| Urban League of Rochester / Town of Irondequoit Homebuyer Opportunity Program | Grant | Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies based on funding availability) | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $21,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with reduced payments
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Varies based on borrower qualification
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Down payment and closing cost assistance (amount varies based on funding availability)
- 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 limits for each program you plan to apply for.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. The Housing Council at PathStone offers HUD-approved homebuyer education classes in the Rochester area. Contact them at 585-546-3700 to register. This satisfies the education requirement for the Monroe County grant, the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program, and SONYMA programs.
Step 3: Contact the Town of Irondequoit or Urban League of Rochester about local assistance. The Urban League of Rochester partners with Irondequoit on a Homebuyer Opportunity Program that includes financial literacy education and direct homebuyer assistance. Call the Town of Irondequoit at (585) 336-6021 for details.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an ESL Federal Credit Union loan officer to explore the ESL First Home Grant (up to $21,000), or contact Family First Federal 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 DPA loans.
Step 5: Apply for the Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Grant. Contact The Housing Council at PathStone at 585-546-3700 to apply for the county grant of up to $10,000 toward your down payment and closing costs.
Step 6: Find a home in Irondequoit and submit your applications. Work with your lender to ensure the home meets any program purchase price requirements. Once you have an executed purchase contract, your lender can submit funding reservations for the applicable grant programs.
Step 7: Close on your home. Your lender and housing counselor will coordinate the timing of all assistance funds to apply at closing. Plan for estimated closing costs of $4,500 to $7,000 based on the current median home price.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Irondequoit?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What are the income limits for Irondequoit homebuyer programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Is the Urban League of Rochester Homebuyer Opportunity Program only for Irondequoit?+−
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