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

Homebuyer Programs in Valley Stream, NY (2026)

Population: 40,100 | Median home price: $800,000 | Est. closing costs: $16,000 - $24,000

Skyline of Valley Stream, NY

Valley Stream is a village in Nassau County on Long Island, located just east of the New York City border in the Town of Hempstead. With a median home price around $800,000, it is one of the more expensive markets on Long Island. The Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $50,000 as a forgivable loan, though buyers should note the program has a maximum purchase price of $594,000 which is below the local median. The LIHP Community Stabilization Program provides up to $30,000 in forgivable assistance, and both CDLI and CDCLI offer low-interest down payment loans up to $75,000 for Nassau County buyers. Combined with SONYMA state mortgage programs and FHLBNY grants up to $30,000, eligible Valley Stream buyers have multiple avenues of assistance, though working with a housing counselor to identify homes within program price limits is especially important in this high-cost market.

County Programs in Nassau County

Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $50,000
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

CDCLI Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Loan
Type:
Repayable Loan
Amount:
Up to $75,000
First-time only:
Yes
CDLI Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Loan
Type:
Repayable Loan
Amount:
Up to $75,000
First-time only:
Yes
Habitat for Humanity of Long Island Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable home purchase with subsidized mortgage
First-time only:
Yes
LIHP Community Stabilization Program (CSP)
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $30,000
First-time only:
Yes

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most Nassau County programs require household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income, though CDLI and CDCLI programs extend to 120% AMI. The Nassau County HOME program has a maximum purchase price of $594,000, so finding eligible properties in Valley Stream requires careful searching.

Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact the Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) at (631) 435-4710 for HUD-approved mortgage counseling, which is required for the Nassau County HOME program. CDLI and CDCLI also offer NeighborWorks homebuyer education courses.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with a SONYMA-approved lender to explore state mortgage programs, or contact a local credit union like Nassau Financial Federal Credit Union about the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program, which offers grants up to $30,000 for first-time buyers.

Step 4: Apply for the Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program. Through LIHP, apply for up to $50,000 in forgivable loan assistance. You must put a minimum of $5,000 toward the down payment from personal funds. Note that this program has annual application cycles with specific deadlines.

Step 5: Explore additional assistance. Apply to the LIHP Community Stabilization Program (up to $30,000) and contact CDCLI or CDLI about their low-interest down payment loans up to $75,000. If your employer participates, the LIHP Employer Assisted Housing Program may also provide $3,000 to $10,000 in matched contributions.

Step 6: Find a home in Valley Stream within program guidelines. Work with your real estate agent to identify properties that fall within program purchase price limits. Some condos and co-ops may offer more affordable options than single-family homes.

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 Valley Stream?+
Valley Stream buyers can access several layers of assistance. The Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $50,000 as a forgivable loan (note: maximum purchase price of $594,000). The LIHP Community Stabilization Program provides up to $30,000 in forgivable assistance. CDLI and CDCLI each offer low-interest loans up to $75,000 for down payment and closing costs. The FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program provides grants up to $30,000 through participating credit unions. At the state level, SONYMA DPAL offers up to $15,000 and SONYMA DPAL PLUS up to $30,000. By combining eligible programs, qualified buyers could access substantial assistance.
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+
Most programs available in Valley Stream require first-time homebuyer status, which HUD defines as someone who has not owned a home in the past three years. The Nassau County HOME program, LIHP Community Stabilization Program, CDLI and CDCLI loans, and the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program all require first-time buyer status. However, federal programs like FHA and VA loans do not have this requirement, and the LIHP Employer Assisted Housing Program does not require first-time buyer status either.
Are there purchase price limits that affect Valley Stream buyers?+
Yes, and this is an important consideration given Valley Stream's high median home price of approximately $800,000. The Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program has a maximum purchase price of $594,000, which means many Valley Stream properties may exceed this limit. However, the CDLI and CDCLI loan programs, SONYMA programs, and FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program have different or higher limits. Working with a housing counselor at LIHP can help you identify which programs your target home qualifies for and find properties within program limits.
What are the income limits for Valley Stream programs?+
The Nassau County HOME Down Payment Assistance Program requires a minimum household income of $30,000 and a maximum based on HUD limits (generally 80% AMI). The FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program standard tier uses 80% AMI, while HDP Plus extends to 120% AMI. The CDLI and CDCLI loan programs accept incomes up to 120% AMI. Income limits vary by household size and are updated annually by HUD. Contact LIHP at (631) 435-4710 for current details.
What homebuyer education is required?+
Most programs require HUD-approved homebuyer education. The Long Island Housing Partnership (LIHP) at (631) 435-4710 provides required mortgage counseling for the Nassau County HOME program. CDLI and CDCLI each offer their own NeighborWorks Home Buyer Education Programs. Only applicants who complete counseling through LIHP are eligible for the Nassau County HOME Purchase Certificate. These courses cover budgeting, credit, the mortgage process, and homeownership responsibilities.
Can I combine multiple assistance programs?+
Yes, many programs can be layered together. For example, you could combine the Nassau County HOME program ($50,000) with a CDCLI low-interest loan (up to $75,000) and SONYMA state down payment assistance. The LIHP Community Stabilization Program ($30,000) may also be combined with other sources. If your employer participates in the LIHP Employer Assisted Housing Program, employer contributions of $3,000 to $10,000 can be matched with public funding. Work with a HUD-approved housing counselor at LIHP to determine the best combination for your situation.

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