Suffolk County residents looking to purchase their first home can now qualify for up to $10,000 in grants for that hefty downpayment, county officials have announced.
“Having access to homeownership can be critical to the long-term stability of families and helps strengthen communities,” Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone said in a statement. “Yet, for many first time homebuyers, coming up with down payment funds is an insurmountable obstacle that can deny them the chance to own a home. This program helps to address that issue.”
The county’s community development office is accepting applications for federal HOME (HOME Investment Partnerships Program) grants from now through through Nov. 30, with $350,000 available locally through the federal program.
Although all Suffolk residents are eligible for grants, the funds cannot be issued for homes being purchased in Islip or Babylon towns, because those town do not belong to the Suffolk County HOME Consortium of municipalities.
Islip and Babylon administer their own programs. (Contact the towns for details.)
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Here’s what you would need to quality for your share of the $350,000:
• You must be a first-time homebuyer as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, as a household that has not owned a home during the three-year period immediately prior to the purchase of a residence with HOME funding.
• You must represent a low to moderate household income, with an annual income not exceeding 80 percent of the area median income as determined by HUD, which includes an adjustment for family size; must have at least $3,000 in a bank at the time of application; and have a documented minimum income of at least $30,000 and be able to obtain a mortgage from a qualified lender.
• You can’t be purchasing a home that costs more than $356,000, for existing housing or new construction. Single family homes, condominiums, and cooperative apartments (co-ops) are all eligible forms of housing for the program.
County residents can download the application through the Community Development tab on the county’s website: www.suffolkcountyny.gov.
Applications will be accepted by mail only and can also be requested from Community Development also by calling 631-853–5705.
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