See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 1, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Yonkers, NY (2026)
Yonkers is the fourth-largest city in New York State, located in Westchester County just north of New York City, with a population of about 211,000. The median home price in Yonkers is approximately $570,000. First-time homebuyers in Yonkers can access up to $25,000 through the Westchester County Home Ownership Initiative, plus up to $30,000 from the SONYMA DPAL PLUS program and up to $30,000 from the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program. Additional local resources include the WRO First Home Club (up to $5,000 in matching grants), the HDSW First Home Club (up to $7,500 in matching grants), and the CHI First Time Homebuyer Grant Program. By combining state and county programs, eligible buyers in Yonkers can potentially stack over $50,000 in total assistance toward their home purchase.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CHI First Time Homebuyer Grant Program | Grant | $25,000 to $35,000 (49% max for down payment and closing costs; 51% minimum for home repairs) | 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 → |
| WRO First Home Club | Grant | Up to $5,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- $25,000 to $35,000 (49% max for down payment and closing costs; 51% minimum for home repairs)
- 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 $5,000
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) for Westchester County. The Westchester County Home Ownership Initiative and the Hudson Valley Home Ownership and Revitalization Program both use this threshold.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. A HUD-approved homebuyer education course is required for nearly all programs. Westchester Residential Opportunities (WRO) at (914) 428-4507 and Community Housing Innovations (CHI) at (914) 683-1010 both offer approved courses in the Westchester County area. Human Development Services of Westchester (HDSW) at (914) 939-2005 also provides bilingual counseling.
Step 3: Enroll in a savings match program. The WRO First Home Club offers a 3-to-1 match up to $5,000, and the HDSW First Home Club offers a 4-to-1 match up to $7,500. These require 10 months of consistent saving plus 8-10 hours of counseling.
Step 4: 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) programs. Ask about the FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program grant (up to $30,000) through participating lenders like Municipal Credit Union.
Step 5: Apply for Westchester County assistance. Contact a HUD-approved counseling agency to apply for the Westchester County Home Ownership Initiative ($25,000) or the Hudson Valley Home Ownership and Revitalization Program ($25,000 for acquisition and renovation).
Step 6: Find a home and submit your application. Work with your lender and counseling agency to complete all program applications. Processing timelines vary by program, so start early in the homebuying process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Yonkers?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What are the income limits for Yonkers homebuyer programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can I use the Hudson Valley program for a fixer-upper?+−
How long do the savings match programs take?+−
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