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Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF)

Albany, New York

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Assistance

$10,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

120% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Grant

Not repaid

What is Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF)?

Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF) is a grant for homebuyers in Albany, New York.

  • The Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF) is a first-of-its-kind reparations-focused grant program operated by the Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region (AHP) to provide non-repayable down payment, closing cost, and gap-financing assistance to descendants of Black families harmed by Albany's history of redlining, urban-renewal displacement (notably the demolition of the South End and Arbor Hill neighborhoods), and other discriminatory housing practices. The grant is structured as a true grant (no lien, no repayment, no recapture) and is funded through philanthropic, foundation, and private-sector commitments raised by AHP. Eligible applicants must document lineage to historically-harmed Albany neighborhoods, complete AHP pre-purchase counseling, and purchase a primary residence in the Capital Region.
  • Reparative grant of up to $100,000 in down payment, closing cost, and gap-financing assistance for descendants of Albany residents harmed by historic redlining, urban renewal displacement, and discriminatory housing policies. Funds are provided as a non-repayable grant - no monthly payment, no lien, no recapture.
  • Funding comes from Philanthropic, Foundation, and Private.

How much assistance does it provide?

Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF) offers up to $10,000 in assistance.

  • Buyer contribution: No buyer contribution required; full grant.
  • 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?

Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF) is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

  • Repayment is triggered by None - true grant and no repayment.
  • The assistance is recorded in 0 position.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF) 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: Not restricted to first-time buyers; descendants of harmed families eligible regardless of prior ownership.
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No fixed minimum; subject to first-mortgage product underwriting (typically 620+ for conventional, 580+ for FHA)
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region (HUD-approved counseling agency); pre-purchase education and one-on-one counseling required.
  • Residency: Property must be in the Capital Region (Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, or Saratoga County) and used as borrower's principal residence.
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen per first-mortgage product
  • RACIAL-TARGETING / REPARATIONS PROGRAM: Eligibility limited to descendants of Black/African-American families who lived in Albany neighborhoods harmed by historic redlining (HOLC red-lined zones), Albany urban-renewal demolitions (e.g., the South End, Arbor Hill, Sheridan Hollow), or other documented racially-discriminatory housing policies. Applicants must document lineage to a household that lived in a designated historically-harmed Albany neighborhood. Income at or below 120% AMI for Albany-Schenectady-Troy MSA: 1-person ~$62,850 to 4-person ~$118,500. Property must be located in the Capital Region (Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga counties) and used as principal residence. Buyer must complete AHP homebuyer education and one-on-one counseling. No race/ethnicity flag exists in schema - documented here per program design.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 120% 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?

Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF) limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income between approximately $62,850 (1-person 80% AMI floor) and $118,500 (4-person 120% AMI cap) for Albany-Schenectady-Troy MSA.
  • 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?

Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF) caps the purchase price as follows: No fixed dollar cap; subject to first-mortgage and appraisal underwriting.

  • Eligible property types include Single-family detached, Condominium, Townhouse, and 2-4 unit owner-occupied.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF) serves buyers purchasing in Albany, New York.

  • The program targets specific areas: Capital Region (Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga counties) with preference for historically redlined and urban-renewal-impacted Albany neighborhoods (South End, Arbor Hill, Sheridan Hollow, West Hill).

How do you apply?

Applications for Reparative Housing Justice Fund (RHJF) 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 Affordable Housing Partnership of the Capital Region (HUD-approved counseling agency); pre-purchase education and one-on-one counseling required..

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Application via AHP intake; reviewed for lineage documentation, income, and counseling status; first-come, first-served subject to fund availability., 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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