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Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Rochester, NY (2026)
Rochester is the third-largest city in New York State, located in Monroe County along the southern shore of Lake Ontario, with a population of about 207,000. Recently ranked the number two housing market in the U.S. for 2026, Rochester has a median home price of approximately $159,000, making it one of the most affordable cities in the Northeast. First-time homebuyers can access up to $8,000 through the City of Rochester Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP), up to $21,000 from the ESL First Home Grant, up to $30,000 from the SONYMA DPAL PLUS program, and up to $30,000 from the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program. Employees of major Rochester employers like the University of Rochester, RIT, and Kodak may also qualify for the Employer Assisted Housing Initiative with combined grants up to $20,000. By stacking multiple programs, eligible buyers in Rochester can potentially receive over $50,000 in total assistance, often covering the entire purchase in this affordable market.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Rochester
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Rochester Employer Assisted Housing Initiative (EAHI) | Grant | $2,000 to $20,000 (combined employer and city match) | No | View → |
| City of Rochester Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP) | Grant | Up to $8,000 | Yes | View → |
| HOME Rochester Program | Forgivable Loan | Subsidized purchase price on rehabilitated homes | Yes | View → |
| Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Grant Program | Grant | Up to $10,000 | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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 → |
| 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 → |
| FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program | Grant | Up to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
| SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL) | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 or 3% of purchase price, whichever is greater (minimum $1,000) | Yes | View → |
| SONYMA DPAL PLUS | Forgivable Loan | Up to $30,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $2,000 to $20,000 (combined employer and city match)
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $8,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Subsidized purchase price on rehabilitated homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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
- 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:
- Up to $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 or 3% of purchase price, whichever is greater (minimum $1,000)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $30,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. Most City of Rochester programs require income below 120% of Median Family Income. The Monroe County grant requires income below 100% of county median. Contact the City of Rochester Homebuyer Services at (585) 428-6888 or homebuyer@cityofrochester.gov to start.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved course is required for nearly all programs. The Housing Council at PathStone at (585) 546-3700 offers pre-purchase education and counseling in English and Spanish. NeighborWorks Community Partners also provides homebuyer courses.
- Step 3:
Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a SONYMA-approved lender to access the SONYMA DPAL (up to $15,000) or DPAL PLUS (up to $30,000). ESL Federal Credit Union offers the ESL First Home Grant (up to $21,000) and participates in the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program (up to $30,000). Family First Credit Union also participates in HDP.
- Step 4:
Apply for City of Rochester assistance. Submit a Homebuyer Services application and complete a virtual meeting with a counselor before making a purchase offer. This qualifies you for the HPAP grant (up to $8,000) and other city programs. If your employer participates, ask about the Employer Assisted Housing Initiative ($2,000-$20,000).
- Step 5:
Explore the HOME Rochester Program. If you are interested in purchasing a rehabilitated home in the city, request to be placed on the HOME Rochester waiting list. These homes are sold at subsidized prices to qualified first-time buyers.
- Step 6:
Find a home and finalize your applications. Work with your lender and counseling agency to stack as many programs as possible. Processing times vary, so start the qualification process early.