Help to buy in New York
Home-buying assistance programs in New York
3 official programs for down payment and closing cost help in New York, from State of New York Mortgage Agency and NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development. We show what each program says on its own page, with the date we checked it.
Key numbers in New York
- Verified programs
- 3
- from State of New York Mortgage Agency and NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development
- First-time buyers only
- 2
- 1 does not require it or its page does not say
- Accept an ITIN
- 0
- per their own site · no: 0 · unconfirmed: 3
- Last checked
- November 5, 2026
- against each program’s official page
How to read the list
Not all help is the same
Amounts, limits and funding change: confirm with a participating lender.
Before you compare amounts, look at the kind of help: it changes what you pay later. These are the kinds the programs on this page use.
On ITIN, each card says what the program itself publishes: yes, no, or not confirmed on its site.
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Forgivable
Second loan forgiven if you stay in the home
The full list
Programs in New York
Filter by who qualifies, by ITIN or by kind of help. Each card quotes the source and the date we checked it.
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- Forgivable
SONYMA second loan with no interest, forgiven after ten years, for the down payment with a SONYMA mortgage in New York
What it gives, per the source
Minimum loan amount: $1,000 … Maximum loan amount: 3% of the purchase price (up to $15,000) or $3,000, whichever is highest … 0% interest rate … No monthly payments … Forgiven after 10 years
- First-time buyer?
- The source does not say whether you must be a first-time buyer
- Accepts ITIN?
- Its site does not confirm
Run by State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA)
Verified November 5, 2026
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- Forgivable
SONYMA mortgage at a very low fixed rate for low-income first-time buyers in New York, with a minimal down payment
What it gives, per the source
Down Payment Assistance of $3,000 or 3% of the home purchase price (not to exceed $15,000) … Very low fixed interest rate … Financing of up to 97% of the value of the property for qualified borrowers and homes … A low minimum borrower cash contribution requirement of 1% of the value of the property
- First-time buyer?
- First-time buyers only
- Accepts ITIN?
- Its site does not confirm
Run by State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA)
Verified November 5, 2026
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HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program
Only in: New York City, Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County
- Forgivable
New York City interest-free forgivable loan of up to $100,000 (or 20% of the price) for the down payment or closing costs of first-time buyers in the city's five boroughs
What it gives, per the source
The HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program provides qualified first-time homebuyers with up to $100,000 toward the down payment or closing costs on a 1-4 family home, a condominium, or a cooperative in one of the five boroughs of New York City. … Live in the home for at least: … 10 years if the loan received is less than or equal to $40,000 … 15 years if the loan is greater than $40,000 … For City-funded loans, owner occupancy period is 15 years regardless of loan amount.
- First-time buyer?
- First-time buyers only
- Accepts ITIN?
- Its site does not confirm
Run by NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD)
Verified November 5, 2026
No program matches your search.
Rent help
Help with rent and utility bills in New York
3 programs we checked in New York to pay rent, power or gas, or avoid an eviction, with what each page says.
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Emergency Assistance (One Shot Deal)
Run by New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) · New York City, Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County
New York City (HRA) emergency payment for people who will lose their home without help, for example with back rent
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CityFHEPS (City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement)
Run by New York City Department of Social Services (DSS: HRA and DHS) · New York City, Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County
New York City rental assistance that pays part of the rent each month for people living in a shelter or at risk of entering one
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Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP): Regular Benefit
Run by New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) · New York City, Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County
Yearly HEAP payment in New York City to help low-income owners and renters pay for heating
Open, per the source
See details
Help to repair your home
Repair programs in New York
One program we checked in New York to repair your home or make it more efficient, with what its page says.
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HEAP Heating Equipment Repair and Replacement (HERR) Benefit
Run by New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) · New York City, Bronx County, Kings County, New York County, Queens County, Richmond County
HEAP benefit in New York City for homeowners to repair or replace the boiler or main heating unit of their home
Your county
Price and income limits depend on the county. Your county page has the typical value, the FHA limit and the counseling agencies that can walk you through the application.
Frequently asked questions
What is down payment assistance?
Money from a public or nonprofit program for the down payment or closing costs. It can be a grant you never repay, a second loan forgiven if you stay in the home for some years, a second loan repaid when you sell or refinance, or a tax credit (MCC) that lowers your federal taxes.
Do I need to be a first-time buyer in New York?
Of the 3 programs on this page, 2 require it; the rest do not, or their page does not say. In general, “first-time buyer” means not having owned a home in the last three years.
Can I use these programs with an ITIN?
What each program’s own site says: accept an ITIN, 0; do not accept one, 0; not confirmed on its site, 3. Ask the participating lender directly before you start, and ask for it in writing.