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).

Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program is forgiven after 10 years, so a homebuyer 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.

Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. A homebuyer education course is required, through Home HeadQuarters, Inc. homebuyer education. Residency requirement: Home must be a County Community Development homeownership property within Onondaga County. LOAN TERM: buyer subsidy secured by a second mortgage, 0% interest, due ONLY if the property is sold within 10 years (otherwise forgiven); max subsidy varies by income/housing expenses/subsidy source. MODEL: County acquires/rehabs single-family homes and sells at a subsidized price (typically $180,000-$240,000 before subsidy). Eligibility: first-time buyer, mortgage-qualified, income below 2026 NYS AHC 112% Low-Income limits, required homebuyer counseling (Home HeadQuarters); selection by lottery. ACTIVE/FUNDED: county Home Ownership page modified 2026-05-20 with 2026 income limits. Distinct from City of Syracuse / Home HeadQuarters programs (county-wide, excludes city).

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.

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.

Onondaga County Community Development Home Ownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Statewide, New York. Targeted neighborhoods: Onondaga County (excluding City of Syracuse programs); CDBG-eligible areas.

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. Funds are reserved through Buyers join a mailing list; eligible buyers selected by lottery for available County-rehabilitated homes. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.