UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant

UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Utica, New York, administered by HomeOwnershipCenter (formerly Utica Neighborhood Housing Services / UNHS). The HomeOwnershipCenter (formerly UNHS) administers the Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant, a 100% forgivable loan of up to $31,500 for first-time homebuyers purchasing an existing single-family home anywhere in Oneida County. The award combines a DPA component (up to $15,000, income-tiered) with a rehabilitation component (up to $16,500) to address structural defects and health/safety systems in the purchased home. A 10-year lien is placed on the property and forgiven in full if the buyer remains owner-occupant for the entire period. Homebuyer education and financial coaching through the HomeOwnershipCenter are required before application. Up to $31,500 combined DPA+rehab. 100% forgivable over 10 years. 112% AMI income limit (generous). Stackable with FHLBNY HDP and other programs. County-wide Oneida County coverage. Funding comes from Oneida County federal HOME/CDBG funds.

UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant offers up to $31,500 in assistance. Award tiers: Income tiered: up to $15,000 DPA based on income; rehab portion up to $16,500 based on DPA award and property needs. Homebuyer contribution: Minimum $2,000 of buyer's own funds toward purchase; all closing costs are buyer's responsibility. The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — HomeOwnershipCenter (formerly Utica Neighborhood Housing Services / UNHS) determines any individual award.

UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant is forgiven after 10 years, so a homebuyer who stays that long does not repay it. Repayment is triggered by Sale, transfer, or failure to owner-occupy within 10-year lien period. 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.

UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: Standard HUD FTHB definition applies. On credit, the program states: Must qualify for a first mortgage with a bank, mortgage company, or credit union at fair interest rate and terms. A homebuyer education course is required, through HomeOwnershipCenter (UNHS) HUD-approved 8-hour Home Buyer Education class + 1-hour financial coaching session required. Residency requirement: Property must be in Oneida County target areas. Program subject to funding availability; current UNHS home buyer webpage (updated Dec 2025) does not list this program among active DPA tabs; applicants should call (315) 724-4197 to confirm current funding status. Minimum $2,000 buyer contribution required. All closing costs are buyer's responsibility. 7 days advance notice of closing required.

UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant limits household income to 112% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. 112% of HUD Low Income Limits for Oneida County: 1-person $45,400; 2-person $52,000; 3-person $58,400; 4-person $64,900; 5-person $70,100; 6-person $75,300; 7-person $80,500; 8-person $85,700. 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.

UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant caps the purchase price as follows: Combined household assets must not exceed 25% of unsubsidized sale price of the rehabilitated home; projected housing ratios must fall between 25%-33%. Eligible property types include Single Family. New construction is not eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant serves homebuyers purchasing in Utica, New York.

Applications for UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant go through HomeOwnershipCenter (formerly Utica Neighborhood Housing Services / UNHS), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Compass portal at hoc.my.site.com. 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.