CHRIC / City of Jamestown Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program
CHRIC / City of Jamestown Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Jamestown, New York, administered by Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corporation (CHRIC).
The program asks for
- First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Not owned a home in the three years prior to purchase
- The home is occupied as a primary residence
- A completed homebuyer education course, through CHRIC 8-hour First Time Homebuyer Education Class (in-person or online via eHomeAmerica)
- Residency: Property must be located in the City of Jamestown, NY
- Signed Purchase and Sales Agreement required at application; closing must be scheduled at least 15 days after approval letter; no cash-out to buyer at closing permitted; Closing Disclosure must be submitted post-closing for fund reimbursement from City of Jamestown.
- A home inside Jamestown city limits
It doesn’t cover
- Manufactured homes
- New construction
- Households above 80% of area median income
- Homes outside Jamestown
These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.
Income limit
80% of Chautauqua County’s area median income
HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.
Where it applies
Jamestown’s homesJamestown’s homes, and the ones this program accepts
- 52.4% single-familysingle-family
- 1.5% townhousetownhouse
- 36% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 9.7% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.4% mobile & othermobile home & other
A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
$87,700
Jamestown median home value
92.1%
built before 1980
U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Jamestown
How to apply
How to applyThree steps, in this order
Take a homebuyer education course
Required by the program, through CHRIC 8-hour First Time Homebuyer Education Class (in-person or online via eHomeAmerica).
Contact Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corporation (CHRIC) to reserve funds
Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served, and are subject to availability.
Work with a lender who handles the program
Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Questions about this program
What is CHRIC / City of Jamestown Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program?
CHRIC / City of Jamestown Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Jamestown, New York, administered by Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corporation (CHRIC). In partnership with the City of Jamestown, CHRIC provides up to $4,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance to income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing an existing single-family home in the City of Jamestown. Assistance is provided as a forgivable grant with a 5-year lien placed on the property per City of Jamestown funding policy. Funds are disbursed directly to the buyer's attorney at closing. Application is first-come, first-served. Up to $4,000 down payment and closing cost assistance. 5-year forgivable lien. First-come, first-served availability. Bilingual counseling (English and Spanish). HUD-certified housing counseling included. Funding comes from City of Jamestown HOME/CDBG funds.
How much assistance does it provide?
CHRIC / City of Jamestown Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program offers up to $4,000 in assistance. The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corporation (CHRIC) determines any individual award.
Do you have to pay it back?
CHRIC / City of Jamestown Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or failure to occupy as primary residence within 5-year lien period. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.
Who qualifies?
CHRIC / City of Jamestown Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: Not owned a home in the three years prior to purchase. A homebuyer education course is required, through CHRIC 8-hour First Time Homebuyer Education Class (in-person or online via eHomeAmerica). Residency requirement: Property must be located in the City of Jamestown, NY. Signed Purchase and Sales Agreement required at application; closing must be scheduled at least 15 days after approval letter; no cash-out to buyer at closing permitted; Closing Disclosure must be submitted post-closing for fund reimbursement from City of Jamestown.
What are the income limits?
CHRIC / City of Jamestown Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income at or below 80% of AMI; 1-person $49,600, 2-person $56,650, 3-person $63,750, 4-person $70,800, 5-person $76,500, 6-person $82,150, 7-person $87,800, and 8-person $93,500. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s. The program lists a maximum household size of 8. Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.
What kind of home can it be used for?
CHRIC / City of Jamestown Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program can be used for Single Family. New construction is not eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.
Where does it apply?
CHRIC / City of Jamestown Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Jamestown, New York.
How do you apply?
Applications for CHRIC / City of Jamestown Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program go through Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corporation (CHRIC), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.
Also for Jamestown homebuyersOther programs open to Jamestown homebuyers
- FHLBNY Homebuyer Dream Program (HDP) SuiteUp to $30,000
- SONYMA Achieving the Dream ProgramUp to $15,000
- SONYMA Down Payment Assistance Loan (DPAL)Up to $15,000
Whether two programs can be combined is up to each agency. Ask before you apply.
All 66 programs for JamestownProgram terms are set by Chautauqua Home Rehabilitation & Improvement Corporation (CHRIC) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.