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Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Direct Subsidy Program

Monroe County Department of Planning and Development, Community Development Division (with The Housing Council at PathStone) · Monroe County, New York

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Assistance

$10,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Direct Subsidy Program?

Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Direct Subsidy Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Monroe County, New York, administered by Monroe County Department of Planning and Development, Community Development Division (with The Housing Council at PathStone).

  • A HOME-funded direct subsidy administered by Monroe County's Community Development Division providing closing cost and down payment assistance to income-eligible first-time homebuyers purchasing in suburban Monroe County (excluding the City of Rochester). The subsidy is a conditional grant up to $10,000 secured by a Note and Mortgage with a Declaration of Restrictive Covenant, with HOME resale/recapture provisions and a 10- or 15-year affordability/owner-occupancy period.
  • Up to $10,000 toward down payment and closing costs.
  • 0% interest, no monthly payments.
  • Reduces upfront cost of buying an eligible single-family home.
  • Funding comes from Federal HOME funds via the Monroe County HOME Consortium.

How much assistance does it provide?

Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Direct Subsidy Program offers up to $10,000 in assistance.

  • Award tiers: 30%-70% AMI: 100% of down payment + closing costs plus 10% of sale price (max $10,000). 71%-80% AMI: 100% of DP+CC plus 5% of sale price (max $10,000).
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Monroe County Department of Planning and Development, Community Development Division (with The Housing Council at PathStone) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Direct Subsidy Program is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

  • Repayment is triggered by Sale, voluntary title transfer, rental, bankruptcy, foreclosure, or ceasing to occupy as principal residence during the Affordable Housing Period (10 or 15 years depending on HOME investment).
  • The assistance is recorded in Second position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Direct Subsidy 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 The Housing Council at PathStone; ABVI Goodwill of the Finger Lakes; Lifespan of Greater Rochester
  • Residency: Must occupy as principal residence (defined as residing at the property any consecutive nine months each year) during the 10- or 15-year Affordable Housing Period.
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-14): pending review. Confirmed from Monroe County 2024 Annual Action Plan: conditional grant up to $10,000, AMI-tiered, HOME resale/recapture, 10/15-yr affordability secured by Note/Mortgage/Declaration. UNCONFIRMED (null): exact income-limit dollars by household size, forgiveness schedule (prorated vs cliff), min credit score, DTI, max purchase price, min contribution, manufactured/new-construction eligibility, participating lenders. Lien position inferred as second from the Note-and-Mortgage structure.

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?

Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Direct Subsidy Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers up to 80% of Area Median Income; subsidy tiered by AMI band (30-70% vs 71-80%).
  • 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?

Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Direct Subsidy Program can be used for Single Family.

Where does it apply?

Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Direct Subsidy Program serves buyers purchasing in Monroe County, New York.

How do you apply?

Applications for Monroe County First-Time Homebuyer Direct Subsidy Program go through Monroe County Department of Planning and Development, Community Development Division (with The Housing Council at PathStone), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through The Housing Council at PathStone; ABVI Goodwill of the Finger Lakes; Lifespan of Greater Rochester.

  2. Contact Monroe County Department of Planning and Development, Community Development Division (with The Housing Council at PathStone) 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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