Home Purchase Assistance Program

Coronvavirus Response Update: The City’s Department of Neighborhood and Business Development issued the following customer-service procedures during the COVID-19 outbreak.

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 photo copies can be made by City staff and no originals will be returned. 

DescriptionNeighborhood view(2)

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.