Homebuyer Dream Program® Wealth Builder

Currently, we are not accepting any new reservation requests for the Homebuyer Dream Program Wealth Builder (HDP® Wealth Builder). Reservation requests are limited each year and ESL has reached the funding maximum for the 2026 calendar year. ESL anticipates having a 2027 Homebuyer Dream Program Wealth Builder, pending availability from the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY). Program details will be made available in advance. Please check back for updated information later this year.

Reservation requests into the HDP® Wealth Builder are limited each year and are available on a first-come, first-served basis to eligible buyers.

The 2026 Homebuyer Dream Program Wealth Builder is made available through the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York, and eligible borrowers have potential to receive up to $15,000 (per household) in grant dollars.

How to Get Started

Speak with an ESL Mortgage Originator

Interested members should reach out to an ESL Business Development Mortgage Originator (585.336.1502) and get prequalified or submit an application to purchase their first home. Having a fully executed Purchase and Sales Contract on your first home and completing a homeownership counseling course is required prior to requesting a reservation into the Homebuyer Dream Program Wealth Builder.

Eligibility Requirements

To enroll in the HDP® Wealth Builder program, you must complete and meet the following actions and requirements prior to ESL requesting a reservation request for this program.

  • Must be a first-time homebuyer. This is generally defined as not having owned a home individually or with a spouse in the last three years.
  • HDP Wealth Builder requires at least one of the following conditions be met to qualify for the grant:
    • Currently reside in majority-minority census tract (minority group is greater than 50% of the total tract population), OR
    • First-Generation Homebuyers where the homebuyer’s parents do not currently own or have ever owned property in the United States
  • Provide a fully executed Purchase and Sales contract on a home.
  • Complete homeownership counseling through one of the following counseling agencies prior to program enrollment:
  • Homebuyer(s) must provide a minimum equity of $1,000 toward the purchase of the home.
  • Qualifying income must at or below the 120% area median income (AMI).

Grant stacking Homebuyer Dream Program Wealth Builder with other Homebuyer Dream Program products is not allowed. However, the Homebuyer Dream Program Wealth Builder may be stacked with other eligible products and grants.

Income Limits & Mortgage Eligible Counties

Total household income, adjusted for household size, must be at or below 120% AMI for the county in which the household is being purchased (last updated, effective September 2025). Maximum income limits and eligible counties within the state of New York are as follows:

Homebuyer Dream Program Wealth Builder income limits by county
1-2 Person Households 3+ Person Households
County 120% 120%
Albany $139,320 $160,218
Allegany $132,240 $152,076
Bronx $233,280 $272,160
Broome $132,240 $152,076
Cattaraugus $132,240 $152,076
Cayuga $132,240 $152,076
Chautauqua $132,240 $152,076
Chemung $132,240 $152,076
Chenango $132,240 $152,076
Clinton $132,240 $152,076
Columbia $135,240 $155,526
Cortland $132,240 $152,076
Delaware $132,240 $152,076
Dutchess $147,600 $169,740
Erie $132,240 $152,076
Essex $132,240 $152,076
Franklin $132,240 $152,076
Fulton $132,240 $152,076
Genesee $132,240 $152,076
Greene $132,240 $152,076
Hamilton $132,240 $152,076
Herkimer $132,240 $152,076
Jefferson $132,240 $152,076
Kings $233,280 $272,160
Lewis $132,240 $152,076
Livingston $132,240 $152,076
Madison $132,240 $152,076
Monroe $132,240 $152,076
Montgomery $132,240 $152,076
Nassau $237,456 $277,032
New York $233,280 $272,160
Niagara $132,240 $152,076
Oneida $132,240 $152,076
Onondaga $132,240 $152,076
Ontario $132,240 $152,076
Orange $147,600 $169,740
Orleans $132,240 $152,076
Oswego $132,240 $152,076
Otsego $132,240 $152,076
Putnam $233,280 $272,160
Queens $233,280 $272,160
Rensselaer $139,320 $160,218
Richmond $233,280 $272,160
Rockland $233,280 $272,160
Saratoga $139,320 $160,218
Schenectady $139,320 $160,218
Schoharie $139,320 $160,218
Schuyler $132,240 $152,076
Seneca $132,240 $152,076
St. Lawrence $132,240 $152,076
Steuben $132,240 $152,076
Suffolk $237,456 $277,032
Sullivan $132,240 $152,076
Tioga $132,240 $152,076
Tompkins $144,360 $166,014
Ulster $143,760 $165,324
Warren $132,240 $152,076
Washington $132,240 $152,076
Wayne $132,240 $152,076
Westchester $244,800 $285,600
Wyoming $132,240 $152,076
Yates $132,240 $152,076

Disclaimer

The FHLBNY and ESL reserve the right to change the terms and conditions at any time, without prior notice. The Household also fully understands that the limited funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis and even if the Household meets all the terms and conditions this does not guarantee that there may be funds available at the time that the Household qualifies. The FHLBNY, in its sole discretion, may refuse to honor a Homebuyer Dream Program Wealth Builder funding request. The Household further agrees that any proceeds, which will not be, or cease to be, used for the purposes approved by the FHLBNY will be recaptured and the unused, or improperly used, grant will be returned to the FHLBNY. The Household will also acknowledge receipt of a copy of these terms and conditions.

Additional Resources

Homebuyer Dream Program Wealth Builder is a registered mark of the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York.