Money to help you buy your first home.

Matched savings, grants and forgivable loans for first-time buyers in Albany and the Capital Region. We checked every program on November 5, 2026. Money comes and goes, so call before you count on one.

See which ones fit meAsk our guide a question

Almost every program asks for the same three things

Get these done first and most doors below open.

  • A free homebuyer class

    Homebuyer 101 or a HUD counseling certificate. AHP runs one free online, the first Tuesday of each month at 5:30 PM.

  • $1,000 to $1,500 saved

    Most programs want to see some of your own money in the deal.

  • 12 months of on-time payments

    Rent, phone, car — a clean year of paying on time.

Payment history not there yet? Get credit help

Two programs taking applications now

Grant

Up to $30,000

Can stack up to $60,000 with HDP Plus and Wealth Builder

New York State

Homebuyer Dream Program (HDP)

Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, through participating lenders

Taking applications

The 2026 round is open until Nov 27, 2026 at 5 PM ET, or until the money runs out. Each lender has its own share, and some have already run out.

The biggest grant on this list. Each lender sets its own amount — Sunmark and Five Star advertise up to $15,000, Family First from $20,000. HDP Plus reaches incomes up to 120% of area median, and Wealth Builder is for first-generation buyers.

Who qualifies

  • First-time homebuyer
  • At least $1,000 of your own money in the purchase
  • Finish a homebuyer counseling course
  • Keep the home as your main home for 5 years
  • Income limit in the Albany area: about $92,880 for a 1–2 person household

How to apply

There's no direct application. Get your mortgage through a participating lender — they reserve the grant when your loan is approved. Call a few and ask if they still have 2026 HDP money.

Participating lenders(opens in a new tab)Program details(opens in a new tab)

Matched savings

Up to $3,000

$3 for every $1 you save

New York State

Home Savings Club

Five Star Bank

Taking applications

Live on Five Star's site with no end date posted. The bank can change it without notice.

Save in a dedicated account and the bank adds $3 for every $1 you save, paid as a credit at closing. It takes $25 to open the account.

Who qualifies

  • First-time homebuyer
  • Household income at or under 80% of area median
  • New York resident
  • Save for at least 10 months and reach your goal within 24 months

How to apply

Enroll through a Five Star Bank mortgage originator.

Program page(opens in a new tab)

9 more programs, free with an account

City and county grants, more matched savings, and the programs that are out of money right now — with who qualifies, how to apply and who to call.

Matched savings

Up to $1,500

City of Albany

Call to confirm fundsName, who qualifies and how to apply are in the full list

Forgivable loan

Up to $15,000

New York State

Taking applicationsName, who qualifies and how to apply are in the full list

Deferred loan

Up to $14,900

City of Albany

Call to confirm fundsName, who qualifies and how to apply are in the full list

Grant

Up to $10,000

Albany and nearby cities

Call to confirm fundsName, who qualifies and how to apply are in the full list

Forgivable grant

Up to $40,000

Albany County

Call to confirm fundsName, who qualifies and how to apply are in the full list

Grant

$15,000–$20,000

Troy and Rensselaer County

Call to confirm fundsName, who qualifies and how to apply are in the full list

Affordable home purchase

30% of income

Albany and Troy

Not open right nowName, who qualifies and how to apply are in the full list

Down payment and repairs

Up to $40,000

City of Albany

Not open right nowName, who qualifies and how to apply are in the full list

Matched savings

Retired

New York State

Not open right nowName, who qualifies and how to apply are in the full list

See all 11 programs

A free account unlocks the full list. It also saves your answers when you check if you qualify.

Not sure which ones fit you?

Answer a few questions. On the free call we go over the programs you can stack with your savings and credit.

See if you qualify