Supporting homeownership in formerly redlined neighborhoods
Some neighborhoods in the City of Rochester have experienced a long history of disinvestment, resulting in deep and ongoing challenges. Today, focused programs like Buy The Block are working to strengthen these neighborhoods by generating investment and creating excitement.
Buy The Block supports current and new homeowners by investing in high-quality, affordable, owner-occupied houses, in which homeowners spend no more than 30 percent of their income on housing.
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The program includes the following initiatives:
- Building new, single-family, high-quality homes for qualified residents to purchase with affordable mortgages, with an overall goal of building up to 100 new homes in under-invested areas of the City;
- Assisting current homeowners in implementing home improvements through grants and free consultation, including roofing and exterior façade repairs on their properties; and
- Additional resources to strengthen Rochester city neighborhoods.
The first phase of Buy The Block is focused on properties in Northeast Rochester, between Upper Falls Boulevard and Clifford, Clinton, and Hudson Avenues. Six homes are complete, and up to 18 more homes will be built later this year. *Applications for this round of the program closed on May 31, 2023*
The City of Rochester
has partnered with Greater Rochester Housing Partnership (developer), Atlas
Contractors LLC (builder), and Ibero American Development Corporation to construct and sell affordable,
single-family homes on currently vacant, City-owned parcels.
Six different
model homes are on City-owned lots at 14, 22, 30, 38, and 56 Thomas St. and 101
Weeger St.
Name
|
Description
|
BR
|
Bath
|
Foundation
|
Sq. Ft.
|
Sale Price
|
Virtual Tour |
The Norton
En Español
|
Accessible
Ranch
|
2
|
1
|
Slab on
grade
|
1,033
|
$89,000
|
Click here |
The Clifford
En Español
|
Accessible
Ranch
|
3
|
1
|
Slab on
grade
|
1,365
|
$103,000
|
Click here |
The Portland
En Español
|
2-Story
|
3
|
1.5
|
Full
basement
|
1,357
|
$112,000
|
Click here |
The Woodward
En Español
|
2-Story
|
4
|
2.5
|
Full
basement
|
1,534
|
$120,000
|
Click here |
The Durand
En Español
|
2-Story
|
3
|
2.5
|
Full
basement
|
1,676
|
$134,500
|
Click here |
The Ellison
En Español
|
2-Story
|
4
|
2.5
|
Full
basement
|
1,729
|
$139,000
|
Click here |
The diverse floor plans address a range of needs, including extra storage space for larger households and those with children; single-story homes for aging in place and/or mobility concerns; and accommodations for those with special needs. The homes will be Energy Star 3.0 certified and will include all-electric heat pump heating and cooling systems.
In 2023 up to 18 additional new homes are being built, based on demand from qualified buyers. Applications for the program are currently closed.
Buyers must be first-time homebuyers with household
incomes at or below 80% Area Median Income:
Household Size
|
80% Median Income Limit
|
1 person
|
$50,250
|
2 people
|
$57,400
|
3 people
|
$64,600
|
4 people
|
$74,750
|
5 people
|
$77,500
|
6 people
|
$83,250
|
7 people
|
$89,000
|
8 people
|
$94,750
|
Buyer eligibility is ultimately determined by the
City of Rochester Homebuyer Services staff. A list of required documents that
are used to determine eligibility is included in the application.
Applicants must agree to live in the home as their
principal residence for at least 15 years. If the homeowner sells within that 15-year
period, they must sell their home to another income-qualified owner-occupant who
agrees to live in the home for the remainder of the 15 years. Any buyer within
that 15-year period must be approved as income-eligible by the City of
Rochester prior to entering into a purchase contract. All Buy The Block new
homes are restricted to owner-occupancy for 30 years.
Application Process
Applications for home
improvement support for current homeowners in the
neighborhood between Upper Falls Boulevard and Clifford, Clinton and Hudson
Avenues will be available in the future. Watch here for updates!
Q: Who qualifies for new home buying?
A: Applicants must be income-qualified, first-time homebuyers who agree to live in the home as their principal residence for at least 15 years. Income-qualified buyers have household incomes at or below 80% of Area Median Income.
See details here >>Q: How do I apply to purchase a new home?
A: Applications for the current phase of the program are closed. The full timeline and process can be found
here >>
Q: How is the City of Rochester paying for the Buy The Block investments?
A: The first phase of Buy the Block is supported by $13.3 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The City of Rochester will work with development partners to identify and apply for additional funding sources for future phases of Buy The Block.
Please contact us, at Homebuyer@CityofRochester.gov with any questions about Buy The Block.