UB Home

Image of homes in the University Heights neighborhood.

Homes in the University Heights neighborhood.

To encourage home ownership and help support stabilization and revitalization in and around the South Campus, the University at Buffalo is pleased to offer the UB H.O.M.E. (Home Ownership Made Easy) program to full-time and part-time faculty and staff. 

On this page:

This program is being funded by the University at Buffalo Foundation (UBF) in partnership with West Side Neighborhood Housing Services (West Side NHS), Inc., a NeighborWorks America Chartered Member with a proven track record of housing and community revitalization.

Qualified buyers will be eligible for a combination of interest–free deferred and forgivable loans of up to $5,000, which can be used to help cover down payments and closing costs or for interest rate reduction. Up to $7,500 is available for homes in the target area east of Bailey Avenue. Please see the map below for eligible properties.

Eligible properties

Properties eligible for the UB H.O.M.E. program are indicated on the map below. Up to $5,000 in funding is available for homes within the blue section of the map and up to $7,500 is available for homes within the orange section.  

How the program works

Each loan is made up of a UBF-funded piece and a West Side NHS-funded piece. The UBF portion will be forgiven if the original homebuyer remains in the home for a minimum of five continuous years. The West Side NHS portion is an interest-free, deferred loan that must be paid back when the home is sold.

EXAMPLES

  • $5,000 loan—$2,500 from UBF funding and $2,500 from West Side NHS funding; $2,500 forgiven after five continuous years of owner occupancy; $2,500 to be repaid to West Side NHS when home is sold
  • $7,500 loan (if in specially targeted area)—$5,000 from UBF funding and $2,500 from West Side NHS funding; $5,000 forgiven after five continuous years of owner occupancy; $2,500 to be repaid to West Side NHS when home is sold

Other benefits

West Side NHF will also provide the following services to all UB HOME participants: 

  • Additional down payment and closing cost assistance programs from various agencies
  • Financial aid and credit counseling
  • Homebuyer education and post-purchase education courses
  • Home improvement loans

How to apply

All UB HOME inquiries should be directed to Mary Drossos, Loan Officer, at mdrossos@nwcommunitypartners.org, or by phone at 716.877.3910. 

 

Did you know?

The University Heights-Summit Park-Berkshire Terrace Historic District was recently listed to the National Register and over 1,000 properties in the neighborhood now eligible for historic tax credits!

The NYS Historic Homeowner Tax Credit provides a 20% tax credit on home improvement projects, up to $50,000/year. This could be a helpful tool for homeowners make significant improvements to their properties. 

For more information, you can visit the NYS Tax Credit Program website.