HOME Program

The New York State HOME Program is administered by the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation (HTFC). The program uses federal HOME Investment Partnership Program funds to expand the supply of decent, safe, and affordable housing within the State.

The HOME Program funds a variety of activities through partnerships with counties, towns, cities, villages, private developers, and community-based non-profit housing organizations. The program provides funds to acquire, rehabilitate, or construct housing, or to provide assistance to low-income home-buyers and renters. Funds must be distributed in accordance with needs and priorities identified in the State's Consolidated Plan.

Income Eligibility

HOME Program funds may only be used to assist households with incomes at or below 80 percent of area median income. Rental projects must primarily serve households with incomes at or below 60 percent of area median income.

Funding Limitations

HOME Program funds may be used to pay for acquisition, rehabilitation, construction, and certain related soft costs. Funds may also be used for relocation costs, tenant-based rental assistance, down payment and closing costs, and some administrative and planning costs, subject to limitations set forth in the federal regulations. Funds may only be used for residential housing. There are restrictions on the use of HOME funds for properties assisted by certain other federal programs.

Margert's First HOME Program funds are used to provide a first time homebuyer purchase assistance subsidy, in the form of a deferred payment (forgivable) loan.

The MCC 2006 First HOME program is designed as homeownership purchase assistance without rehabilitation.  Eligible activities include down payment and closing costs assistance.

Eligible HOME recipients must be residents of Queens County, with household income between 41 – 80 % of area median income.  First preference is to be given to residents of Queens Community District 14; second preference to residents of southeast Queens CDs 9, 10, 12, 13 and 14; and third preference is to all other qualified Queens residents.

To qualify for our HOME program, you must complete a homebuyer education course taught by Margert Community Corporation.

HOME awards may not exceed $ 30,000.

Our 2006 HOME program has set aside two units for veteran first time homebuyers, two units for elderly first time homebuyers, and two units for first time homebuyers with physical disabilities.

Apply for Margert's First HOME program.

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