The City of Buffalo provides conditional grants up to $10,000 to eligible first-time homebuyers towards the the purchase of their first home.

Purchasing your first home in the City of Buffalo? Up to $10,000 in funding, provided by the City of Buffalo, is available to first time homebuyers to assist with closing cost and down payment expenses towards the purchase of their home. Funds are provided at no interest as a conditional grant. The amount provided must only be repaid if the property is sold within the five (5) year regulatory period that is secured with a second mortgage on the property.

 Are you eligible for assistance?

• Are you a first-time homebuyer?
• Is the home you are purchasing…
  • located in the legal limits of the City of Buffalo?
  • classified a single family (one unit) or a double family (two unit) home?
  • owned by the current owner for at least 18 months?
  • currently or last occupied by the owner, with no tenants displaced in the past 18 months or at closing?
  • in good condition, not in need of repairs and in compliance with City of Buffalo Housing Codes?
  • under the program sales price limit of $223,000 for a single family home and $286,000 for a double family home?
• Does your annual, gross household income and asset value fall below the required income limits as defined by HUD? (Please review the income limits in the chart to the right. Applicants with assets that exceed $35,000 (not including funds being put towards purchase) will not be considered eligible. Please call our office for household income and asset limit information.)

If you can answer ‘YES’ to all of these questions, you may be eligible for assistance!

How can you apply?

Applicants should apply as soon as your offer has been accepted on your home- do not delay. Please know that completed applications require at least 55 days prior to your closing date for BURA to review and process for approval. Applicants will be required to submit supporting documentation to verify eligibility for the program. For more information, please contact our office by email or calling (716) 882-7661.

Applicants must document the availability of mortgage financing as part of the application process.

Applicants are required to have completed a HUD Certified Homebuyer Education course, and receive individualized Pre-Purchase Homeownership Counseling for each household member who will hold title, from a HUD-approved housing counseling agency.

Applications for this program are also being accepted by University District Community Development Association and Belmont Housing Resources for WNY. Only one application may be submitted per buyer.