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First Time Home Buyer Grant Program

Hamburg, New York

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See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$20,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$298,950

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Grant

Not repaid

What is First Time Home Buyer Grant Program?

First Time Home Buyer Grant Program is a grant for homebuyers in Hamburg, New York.

  • The Town of Hamburg First Time Home Buyer Grant Program is a CDBG/HOME-funded conditional grant of up to $20,000 to first-time homebuyers purchasing an existing single-family home within the Town of Hamburg (including the Villages of Blasdell and Hamburg and hamlets such as Lakeview and Woodlawn). The program is administered by the Town of Hamburg Department of Community Development and partners with Belmont Housing Resources for WNY for required homebuyer/budget counseling. Income eligibility follows HUD PY 2025 80% AMI limits for the Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls MSA. The grant is forgiven over a 5-year owner-occupancy / affordability period; if the buyer sells, transfers, refinances with cash-out, or no longer occupies the home during the 5-year period, the grant must be repaid in full.
  • Conditional grant of up to $20,000 toward the purchase of an existing single-family home within the Town of Hamburg (including the Villages of Blasdell and Hamburg, and hamlets such as Lakeview and Woodlawn). Grant is structured as a conditional/forgivable second mortgage.
  • if the buyer remains in compliance (owner-occupies as primary residence) for the 5-year affordability period, the grant is fully forgiven. Maximum eligible purchase price $298,950 (Buffalo-area HUD HOME 95% rule).
  • Funding comes from CDBG, HOME, Federal, and Local Government.

How much assistance does it provide?

First Time Home Buyer Grant Program offers up to $20,000 in assistance.

  • Buyer contribution: Per first-mortgage program; no specific Town minimum published.
  • The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

First Time Home Buyer Grant Program is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

  • Repayment is triggered by Conditional grant secured by a forgivable second mortgage and grant is forgiven after 5 years of continuous owner-occupancy. Sale, transfer, refinance with cash-out, or loss of owner-occupancy during the 5-year affordability period triggers full repayment of the grant to the Town of Hamburg.
  • The assistance is recorded in 2 position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

First Time Home Buyer Grant 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 — with exceptions: Must not have owned any residential real estate in the previous 3 years (HUD HOME first-time homebuyer definition).
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No published minimum FICO; underwriting follows the buyer's first-mortgage product
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc. - HUD-approved housing counseling agency; required Homebuyer/Budget Counseling course; Buffalo Urban League also accepted.
  • Residency: Property must be located within the Town of Hamburg (Erie County), NY - including the Villages of Blasdell and Hamburg and hamlets such as Lakeview and Woodlawn - and be the buyer's primary residence. Open to all income-eligible buyers regardless of current residence.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen permitted by underlying first-mortgage product and HUD HOME rules
  • Property must be an existing single-family home located within the Town of Hamburg (including the Villages of Blasdell and Hamburg, and hamlets including Lakeview and Woodlawn). Buyer must be a first-time homebuyer per HUD definition (no ownership of residential real estate in previous 3 years). Household income must satisfy HUD PY 2025 income limits, ranging from approximately $56,600 (1-person) up to $106,700 (8-person) for the Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls MSA at 80% AMI. Maximum eligible purchase price $298,950. Buyer must complete a required Homebuyer / Budget Counseling course (Belmont Housing Resources for WNY or Buffalo Urban League) and submit documentation. Eligible homes are limited to single-family only (no condos or 2-families). Buyer must occupy the home as primary residence for the 5-year affordability period; grant is forgiven at the end of year 5. Sale, transfer, refinance with cash-out, or loss of owner-occupancy during the 5-year period triggers full repayment.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • New construction
  • Purchases above the $298,950 price cap
  • 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?

First Time Home Buyer Grant Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income must be at or below 80% HUD PY 2025 Area Median Income for the Buffalo-Cheektowaga-Niagara Falls MSA, adjusted by household size. 2025 80% AMI limits range approximately: 1-person $56,600; 2-person $64,650; 3-person $72,750; 4-person $80,800; 5-person $87,300; 6-person $93,750; 7-person $100,200; 8-person $106,700.
  • 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?

First Time Home Buyer Grant Program caps the purchase price at $298,950.

  • Eligible property types include Single-family detached.
  • New construction is not eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

First Time Home Buyer Grant Program serves buyers purchasing in Hamburg, New York.

How do you apply?

Applications for First Time Home Buyer Grant Program go through the administering agency, 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 for WNY, Inc. - HUD-approved housing counseling agency; required Homebuyer/Budget Counseling course; Buffalo Urban League also accepted..

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served via the Town of Hamburg Department of Community Development; subject to annual CDBG/HOME allocation. Applicant must complete intake, Homebuyer/Budget Counseling, and submit application before going under contract., 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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