HOME First Time Home Buyer Grant Program
Assistance grant · Forgiven over 10 yrs · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single-family detached, 2-family owner-occupied, Condominium, Townhouse
See details Jul 2026
Down payment assistance · New York
Buying a home in Albany County, NY
2 county-wide programs, 2 cities with their own, plus 1 statewide and 62 nationwide.Albany has 2 programs that cover the whole county and 2 cities with a program of their own. On top of those, 1 statewide and 62 nationwide programs are open here. Start with your city or ZIP to see which apply to the home you want.
Free · No credit pull · No SSN
Anywhere in AlbanyAnywhere in Albany County
2 programs for every Albany address2 programs that cover every Albany address
All 2 are for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.These are run for the whole county, so a home in Albany, Colonie or West Albany can use them. All 2 are for first-time homebuyers and ask for a homebuyer class.
Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF)
Assistance grant · New construction · Income limit 120% of AMI
Single-family detached, Condominium, Townhouse, 2-4 unit owner-occupied
See details Jul 2026
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Albany, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
Only inside city limits
2 cities with their own program2 Albany cities with their own program
For a home inside that city, on top of the county-wide 2.A city program is for a home inside that city. Buying there? It sits on top of the 2 county-wide programs above.
The Albany marketThe Albany housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Albany
- 49.5% single-familysingle-family
- 4.7% townhousetownhouse
- 23.8% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 20.7% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 1.2% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. All 2 county-wide programs and all 2 city programs list condos as eligible.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Albany’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
68.4%
of Albany homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$123,100
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Albany County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$85,333
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Albany (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
56.6%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (New York: 54.3%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 12 of the 67 programs here set their income limit as a share of Albany County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Albany County
Free help in AlbanyFree help in Albany
4 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county4 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in Albany County
3 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.3 of the 4 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Counted from HUD’s list of approved agencies: active offices whose ZIP code is in Albany County.
16 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Albany CountyAll 16 cities and places in Albany County
has a program of its own
Albany questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Albany?
The 2 county-wide programs cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like Albany’s and Colonie’s, are only for homes inside that city’s limits. Each agency sets its own rules, so confirm on the program’s official site.
Can I combine a county program with a city program?
Sometimes. Combining ("stacking") programs is set by each administering agency, and some do not allow a second program on the same home. Each program’s page links to the agency that can say.
What is the area median income in Albany County?
HUD publishes it once a year; the 2026 four-person figure is shown above. Programs set their limits as a share of it, adjusted for household size, and the published limits page lists each one.
Do Albany programs accept condos?
All 2 county-wide programs and all 2 city programs list condos as eligible. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Albany?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 4 agencies have an office in Albany County. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
Keep exploring
Sources
Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (July–September 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024), tables B01003, B25077, B25003, B25024, B25034, B25035, B19013. Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.