Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program

What is Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program?

Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program is a silent second mortgage for homebuyers in Statewide, New York, administered by Onondaga County Community Development Division.

• Onondaga County Community Development purchases, rehabilitates, and sells single-family homes (often formerly vacant) at a subsidized price to income-eligible first-time homebuyers. The buyer subsidy is generally secured by a second mortgage due only if the property is sold within ten years (otherwise forgiven). Buyers must be first-time homebuyers, meet income limits (2026 NYS AHC 112% of Low-Income), qualify for a mortgage, and complete homebuyer counseling. Eligible buyers are selected by lottery from a mailing list as homes become available.
• Subsidized purchase price on a County-rehabilitated home.
• Subsidy structured as a 0% second mortgage forgiven after 10 years of ownership.
• Funding comes from Onondaga County and New York State funds, including NYS Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC).

Do you have to pay it back?

Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program is forgiven after 10 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

• Repayment is triggered by Subsidy second mortgage is due only if the property is sold within ten (10) years; otherwise forgiven.
• 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?

Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program limits household income to $95,700.

• 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?

Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program caps the purchase price as follows: County-acquired/rehabbed homes sold at a subsidized price; typically $180,000-$240,000 before subsidy.

• Eligible property types include Single Family.
• New construction is not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Statewide, New York.

• Targeted neighborhoods: Onondaga County (excluding City of Syracuse programs); CDBG-eligible areas.

How do you apply?

Applications for Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program go through Onondaga County Community Development Division, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through Home HeadQuarters, Inc. homebuyer education.

2. 2

   Contact Onondaga County Community Development Division to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Buyers join a mailing list; eligible buyers selected by lottery for available County-rehabilitated homes, and are subject to availability.

3. 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.