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City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program

Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) / City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning; intake via UDCDA, Matt Urban Human Services, Belmont Housing Resources, Buffalo Urban League · Buffalo, New York

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Assistance

$15,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 5 years

What is City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program?

City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Buffalo, New York, administered by Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) / City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning; intake via UDCDA, Matt Urban Human Services, Belmont Housing Resources, Buffalo Urban League.

  • The City of Buffalo provides first-time homebuyers funds toward down payment and closing costs to purchase a 1-2 family or vacant home in the City of Buffalo. Funds are provided as a 0% interest deferred, forgivable conditional grant that must be repaid in full if the home is sold or vacated within the 5-year regulatory period. Funded by City of Buffalo Owner Occupied Housing Assistance Programs through NYS HCR/Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC), the City of Buffalo Mayor's Office of Strategic Planning, and BURA.
  • Up to $15,000 toward down payment and closing costs (0% interest, deferred, forgivable after 5 years).
  • Funding comes from NYS HCR/Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC); City of Buffalo; Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA).

How much assistance does it provide?

City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program offers up to $15,000 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 — Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) / City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning; intake via UDCDA, Matt Urban Human Services, Belmont Housing Resources, Buffalo Urban League determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Repaid in full if home is sold or vacated within 5 years of purchase.
  • The assistance is recorded in subordinate position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Belmont Housing Resources WNY; Buffalo Urban League
  • Residency: Property must be in the City of Buffalo
  • Income must fall between 50%-80% of HUD income guidelines. Home must be in generally good condition with no major housing code violations or lead-based paint hazards. The Matt Urban Center CHDO offers a related access point with up to $5,000 (single-family). Exact 4-person income limit, max purchase price, and credit/DTI thresholds not published on the program page (HUD income guidelines apply by family size).

The program excludes

  • Households above 80% of area median income

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • 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?

City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program can be used for single_family, two_family, and vacant_home.

Where does it apply?

City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Buffalo, New York.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program go through Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) / City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning; intake via UDCDA, Matt Urban Human Services, Belmont Housing Resources, Buffalo Urban League, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Belmont Housing Resources WNY; Buffalo Urban League.

  2. Contact Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency (BURA) / City of Buffalo Office of Strategic Planning; intake via UDCDA, Matt Urban Human Services, Belmont Housing Resources, Buffalo Urban League to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider and are subject to availability.

  3. 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 buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program, explained

A short, free course on City of Buffalo First-Time Homebuyer Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program: what it is, who it is for, how it is forgiven, where it applies and how to apply. Based on program data from July 2026. About ten minutes.

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