UNPA University Neighborhood Preservation Association

(UNPA Website)

UNPA can guide you through the process of finding and financing a home. Depending on available funding, UNPA can often provide assistance in the form of small grants and loans. If you sell your home in less than 5 years, you pay back the amount of the grant/deferred loan at closing. For every year after 5 years that you stay in the home, 20% of the grant/deferred loan is forgiven. (If you stay 10 years, the entire amount is forgiven.)

See the UNPA Neighborhood Map

We are happy to help with any part of the buying process, all the way through closing. For more information, call or write to: 922 Westmoreland Ave. Syracuse NY 13210 (315) 476-5228.

Special Incentive Homebuyer Assistance Program (one year pilot for 2006)

• Special level of assistance for homes closest to SU, Thornden Park, and Westcott Business District
• Grants of $4,500 for properties located closest to Syracuse University and Thornden Park
• $2,500 for properties in the general vicinity of Westcott Street
• $1,500 available for purchases of homes in the remaining UNPA neighborhood
• If eligible, applicants can receive up to an additional $125 to apply toward attorney fees accrued during closing.
• program grant areas

Home HeadQuarters

Home Purchasing Program

• Single family purchase limit: $75,000. 2-Family purchase limit: $80,000
• Owner-occupied only.
• Maximum household income limits: $23,400 (family of 1), $26,750 (family of 2), $30,100 (family of 3), $33,450 (family of 4), $36,100 (family of 5), $38,800 (family of 6), $41,500 (family of 7), $44,150 (family of 8).
• See Department of Community Development for additional information.

Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance Program

• Provides up to $3000.
• Maximum home purchase price: $75,000 for single family home, $80,000 for two-family home.
• First-time buyers in the City of Syracuse.
• Must occupy and own your home for five years.
• $500 minimum down payment from buyer's funds.
• Maximum household income limits: $24,900 (family of 1), $28,500 (family of 2), $32,050 (family of 3), $35,600 (family of 4), $38,450 (family of 5), $41,300 (family of 6), $44,150 (family of 7), $47,000 (family of 8).
• Buyer's liquid assets may not exceed $7,500.
• Covers only customary closing costs.
• Buyers must complete a 10-hour accredited homebuyers' education course provided by Home Headquarters.

Home Improvement Loan Program

• Below-market interest rate.
• Owner-occupied only.
• Repaid monthly, usually over seven years.
• Maximum household income limits in revitalization area: $24,900 (family of 1), $28,500 (family of 2), $32,050 (family of 3), $35,600 (family of 4), $38,450 (family of 5), $41,300 (family of 6), $44,150 (family of 7), $47,000 (family of 8).
• Maximum household income limits in non-revitalization area: $21,840 (family of 1), $24,920 (family of 2), $28,000 (family of 3), $31,150 (family of 4), $33,670 (family of 5), $36,120 (family of 6), $38,640 (family of 7), $41,090 (family of 8).
• Assistance for low-income families with bringing homes up-to-code. Major repairs, and health and safety violation upgrades are eligible.

Nehemiah Program

The market has never been more buyer friendly...low interest rates, low-down payment loans, various grant programs, including UNPA. Now it is even easier to own with the Nehemiah Program. Nehemiah is a non-profit organization out of California, started by a minister who also is an attorney.

In a nutshell, Nehemiah will provide gift funds up to 6% of final contract sales price to the buyer to cover closing costs and downpayment. There are no repayment, income, or cash reserve requirements. In addition, you do not have to be a first time buyer. Can be used for single-family and multi-family dwellings. UNPA may be used in conjunction with the Nehemiah Program.

Nehemiah is more commonly used in conjunction with FHA loans. FHA requires that the buyer have 1% of sales price invested in the property, but this 1% may be in the form of a gift (from a family member, for example).

Nehemiah also requires that the seller buy a Home Warranty for the buyer, which covers roof repairs for 24-months and other mechanicals for 13 months. At closing, a donation of up to 4% of purchase price is due from the seller to Nehemiah. This donation needs to be taken into consideration when considering Nehemiah financing.

Available for new or resale homes: Owner occupied, Single family dwelling, Duplex, Triplex or Fourplex, Condominium, Townhome

This HUD approved program can help homeowners sell their house and open the market to more buyers. More information can be found on the Nehemiah Program website.