Erie County First time buyer’s program

Erie County First-time Home Buyer Program

Assistance program for First time home buyers in Erie County

Can I get help purchasing a home?

I am asked frequently about Buyer Assistance programs for first-time home buyers.

There is a program that is sponsored by the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning to help eligible families become homeowners.

Funding provided by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development HOME program.

Criteria for Participation:

1. Applicant must not have owned a home within the past three years unless one of the following apply:
   • the applicant is a single parent and owned a home with his or her former spouse when married, or resided in a home owned by the former spouse
   • the applicant owns and resides in a house that is not affixed to a permanent foundation
2. The purchased property must be a single-family or two-family home.
3. Purchase price must not exceed $107,000 for a single-family and $135,890 for a two-family home
4. Property must be owner-occupied after purchase
5. Property must be free of any lead-based pain hazards
6. The property must satisfy HUD housing quality standards and local building code requirements
7. The property must be located within Erie county excluding (and the villages therein):
   • City of Buffalo
   • Town of Amherst
   • Town of Cheektowaga
   • Town of Hamburg
   • Town of Tonawanda
8. Household gross income must not exceed the income figures below:
   • 1 Person – $ 34,100
   • 2 Persons – $ 38,950
   • 3 Persons  – $ 43,850
   • 4 Persons  – $ 48,700
   • 5 Persons  – $ 52,600
   • 6 Persons   – $ 56,500
   • 7 Persons   – $ 60,400
   • 8+ Persons – $ 64,300

The Home Buyer must provide:

1. A 1% down payment
2. Additional down payment and closing costs determined by the lender

For more information:

Marie Pieczynski
Erie County Department of Environment and Planning
95 Franklin Street 10th Floor | Buffalo NY 14202
(716) 858-2733