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HAPEC Homebuyer Assistance Program

Housing Assistance Program of Essex County, Inc. (HAPEC) · Clinton, Essex County, New York

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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

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 10 years

What is HAPEC Homebuyer Assistance Program?

HAPEC Homebuyer Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Clinton, Essex County, New York, administered by Housing Assistance Program of Essex County, Inc. (HAPEC).

  • HAPEC's Homebuyer Assistance Program provides eligible first-time homebuyers in Clinton and Essex Counties with a no-interest, no-monthly-payment forgivable loan toward down payment, closing costs, and limited repairs. The loan is limited to the minimum needed to make the home affordable (averaging about $20,000) and is fully forgiven after 10 years of owner-occupancy; if sold within 10 years, a declining portion is repaid. Paired with HUD-certified homebuyer education and counseling.
  • No interest, no monthly payments.
  • Fully forgiven after 10 years.
  • Can reduce mortgage principal, pay closing costs, and fund limited repairs/lead-paint remediation.

How much assistance does it provide?

HAPEC Homebuyer Assistance Program offers up to $20,000 in assistance.

  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Housing Assistance Program of Essex County, Inc. (HAPEC) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

HAPEC Homebuyer Assistance Program is forgiven after 10 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale of the property within 10 years; owner repays a portion per declining-balance schedule.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

HAPEC Homebuyer 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 — with exceptions: Eligible if you/your spouse have not owned a home in the past three years; or are a displaced homemaker; or a single parent who owned a home with a spouse.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: Applicants must be 'financially sound' (no numeric credit score stated).
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HAPEC (HUD-certified housing counseling agency); online via eHome America (ehomeamerica.org/hapec)
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-14): pending review. assistance_amount $20,000 is the brochure 'average loan amount', not a fixed max; actual award is the minimum needed for affordability (true min/max unknown). Funding source/federal program not named on the primary source (HAPEC is a HUD-certified counseling agency / historical NYS HOME-CDBG sub-recipient). UNCONFIRMED (null): lien position, numeric credit score, DTI, purchase-price cap, manufactured/new-construction eligibility, stackability. Income limits shown are 2022 (latest published).

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?

HAPEC Homebuyer Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Must earn less than 80% of area median income. 2022 limits by household size - Clinton: 1=$45,000,2=$51,400,3=$57,850,4=$64,250,5=$69,400,6=$74,550,7=$79,700,8=$84,850. Essex: 1=$42,950,2=$49,100,3=$55,250,4=$61,350,5=$66,300,6=$71,200,7=$76,100,8=$81,000.
  • 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?

HAPEC Homebuyer Assistance Program caps the purchase price as follows: Not stated; buyers may purchase a home appropriate to their circumstances.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family.

Where does it apply?

HAPEC Homebuyer Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Clinton, Essex County, New York.

How do you apply?

Applications for HAPEC Homebuyer Assistance Program go through Housing Assistance Program of Essex County, Inc. (HAPEC), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HAPEC (HUD-certified housing counseling agency); online via eHome America (ehomeamerica.org/hapec).

  2. Contact Housing Assistance Program of Essex County, Inc. (HAPEC) 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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