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Home Purchase Assistance Program

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Program Description

The City of Rochester's Home Purchase Assistance Program Grant (HPAP) provides down payment and closing cost assistance to first-time buyers who meet program requirements.  Grants of up to $6,000 are available for closing cost assistance to first-time buyers who are income-eligible.

General Information

  • Homes must be located in the city of Rochester and must be one to four-family properties. 
  • Buyers must contribute $1,500 of their own funds
  • Buyers must live in the property for five years after closing
  • Buyers must qualify for a conventional, FHA, VA or SONYMA mortgage loan for at least $25,000
  • Buyers must attend pre-and post-purchase homebuyer training and Operating Rental Property training if purchasing a multi-family property
  • Eligible buyers must have a median family income below 120 percent, as outlined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Program is compatible with most other grant programs, including Homebuyer Dream and SONYMA's Neighborhood Stabilization Program

Application Information 

To be eligible for program funds, buyers must first submit a Homebuyer Services application and obtain eligibility paperwork through a virtual meeting with a Homebuyer Services counselor before executing a purchase offer with a seller.

Once a buyer has put in an accepted purchase offer, closing is typically 55-70 days after the City receives a copy of the offer. 

Program Participation Forms

Additional Information

Please send an e-mail to homebuyer@cityofrochester.gov or call (585) 428-6888 to obtain an application or for further information.

Homebuyer Assistance Grant applications: Forms can be downloaded from this page or requested by email at homebuyer@cityofrochester.gov/ and placed in the City Hall drop box. No photocopies can be made by City staff and no originals will be returned.