New York first-time home buyer programs
State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) lists 3 programs that help buyers in New York with the down payment or closing costs. Amounts and terms are shown as the agency publishes them.
- Programs from the agency
- 3
- Biggest amount listed
- $30,000
- First-time buyers only
- 1 of 3 programs
- Income caps
- 60% of area median
Down payment assistance programs in New York
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL). With a SONYMA mortgage (any SONYMA mortgage program). | Up to 3% of the price, at most $15,000 | Forgivable loan: 0% loan forgiven after 10 years. If you sell or refinance sooner, you repay the part not yet forgiven. | Same as the SONYMA home loan it comes with, set by program and region from HUD's income limits. Agency income chart | No |
| DPAL PLUS 2026. With a SONYMA mortgage. | Up to $30,000 | Forgivable loan: 0% loan, forgiven in equal monthly amounts over your first 10 years in the home; the part not yet forgiven may have to be repaid if you leave sooner. | 60% of the area median income (AMI). | Yes, except veterans and buyers in targeted areas |
| Repayable Second Lien (RSL) Program. With any SONYMA first mortgage. | Up to 5% of the price | Deferred loan: 0% loan with no monthly payments. You repay it when you refinance or pay off your main home loan. | Same as the SONYMA home loan it comes with, set by program and region from HUD's income limits. Agency income chart | No |
Usually, "first-time buyers only" means you haven't owned a home during the past three years, though every program sets a rule of its own. The name of each program links to a State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) page that says whether applications are open right now. Compare down payment assistance programs across all states, or ask a lender that works with New York's programs.
How do you repay New York's programs?
- Forgivable loan: keep the home and its first mortgage for the set years, and this second loan is written off.
- Deferred loan: nothing to pay each month, but the full amount comes due when you sell, refinance or pay the first mortgage off.
How does your income compare with New York's caps?
Every program has its own income cap, which the table shows, and the exact chart is on that program's agency page. Use the HUD income limits lookup (FY2026) to find the figure for your county and household size. If a program relies on its own county chart or Freddie Mac's, the result can differ from HUD's number, and the agency's chart decides.
| HUD area | Median family income | HUD low-income limit |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $104,300 | $135,700 |
| Albany-Schenectady-Troy | $123,100 | $98,500 |
| Rochester | $107,000 | $85,600 |
| Syracuse | $106,800 | $85,450 |
| Nassau-Suffolk | $164,300 | $128,100 |
HUD uses about 80% of the median as a starting point. Its own caps can hold that number down, including a yearly cap on increases, so the low-income limit is under 80% in a few areas.
Talk to a lender that works with New York programs
These programs are paid out through the agency's approved lenders, so the lender is your next step. Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with New York's programs can explain which ones fit you.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.
Are you buying near a state border?
Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont or programs for all 50 states plus DC.