UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant

What is 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.
• This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
• Funding comes from Oneida County federal HOME/CDBG funds.

How much assistance does it provide?

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.
• Buyer 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.

Do you have to pay it back?

UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant is forgiven after 10 years, so a buyer 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.

Who qualifies?

UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

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.

What kind of home can it be used for?

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.

Where does it apply?

UNHS HomeOwnershipCenter Oneida County Down Payment Assistance + Rehabilitation Grant is a federal program, so it is not limited to New York.

How do you apply?

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.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through HomeOwnershipCenter (UNHS) HUD-approved 8-hour Home Buyer Education class + 1-hour financial coaching session required.

2. 2

   Contact HomeOwnershipCenter (formerly Utica Neighborhood Housing Services / UNHS) to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Compass portal at hoc.my.site.com, 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.