Homeownership Programs

Community Revitalization

Businesses, individuals and families thrive in welcoming, vital communities. Improvement of downtown spaces plays an important role in creating those communities. Combined-use spaces those housing both residences and retail businesses help the economy by off-setting rental costs for consumers and sellers alike. And, the addition of downtown dwellers has proven to awaken life in small towns in the evenings and on weekends - times when activity traditionally slows down.

Arbor Housing and Development's Community Revitalization projects have successfully combined residential and retail spaces in downtown areas thanks to grants from the NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal as well as other funders. Some highlights include:

Hornell, NY Seneca Street Station
While façade improvements gave a fresh look to the storefronts, safety and quality-of-life improvements gave peace of mind to the people living in apartments above the retail spaces.

Bath, NY Liberty Street Revitalization Program
Storefront façade improvements freshened the look of the downtown area, while the addition of residential spaces boosted activity there.

Homebuyer Education

Buying a home? Sign up for a homebuyer education course through eHome America and you'll learn all about:

• Setting goals, savings, and developing a spending plan to meet goals.
• How to read and understand a credit report and how to resolve credit issues.
• Shopping for a home, looking for energy efficiency products, obtaining a structural inspection, and making an offer on a home.
• Reviewing mortgage products, grant programs, and first home clubs, prequalifying for a mortgage, shopping for a lender, and avoiding predatory lenders.
• Budgeting for homeownership, home safety and maintenance, and what to do if one experiences difficulties in meeting one's mortgage obligations.

Visit our page at eHome America - or for further information, call 607-654-7487 or email [email protected].

Homeownership and Financial Counseling Programs 

Pre-Purchase / Credit Counseling

The Housing Counselor will help the client:

• Make a smooth transition from renter to home owner
• Revise the client's spending plan to adjust for homeownership expenses
• Review home maintenance, energy audits, Energy Smart products/appliances, and the tax implications of homeownership with the client
• Deal with the mortgage lender on issues related to the mortgage and escrow, it needed

Clients will receive:

• Information on energy savings and Energy Smart products/appliances 
• "Keeping the American Dream"
• "Your New Home and How to Take Care of It"
• "Lead Safety for Remodeling, Repair & Painting"
• "Preparing for Disaster"

Post-Purchase Counseling

The Housing Counselor will help the client:

• Protecting and maintaining your home
• Revise the client's spending plan to adjust for homeownership expenses
• Review home maintenance, energy audits, Energy Smart products/appliances, and the tax implications of homeownership with the client
• Deal with the mortgage lender on issues related to the mortgage and escrow, it needed

Clients will receive:

• Information on energy savings and Energy Smart products/appliances 
• "Keeping the American Dream"
• "Your New Home and How to Take Care of It"
• "Lead Safety for Remodeling, Repair & Painting"
• "Preparing for Disaster"

Delinquency and Foreclosure Counseling

The client, along with the Housing Counselor will:  

• Review the client's current mortgage, related mortgage documents, delinquency/default letters from the lender, and credit report
• Determine whether or not the mortgage was sub-prime and/or predatory
• Develop a plan to resolve the delinquency/default (if foreclosure has not started)
• Determine whether or not the client wants to retain ownership of his/her home
• Review possible resolutions based on the client's desire and capacity to carry out a resolution
• Determine resolution that best meets the client's needs

General Information

• HUD approved in Chemung, Schuyler and Steuben Counties
• No fees, no income qualifications
• To schedule an appointment, call us at (607) 654-7487 or email [email protected] 

Creating Housing Options - Owner-occupied Residential Rehabilitation

Grants are available for homeowners in Steuben, Schuyler, and Chemung Counties for health, safety & structural repairs. Repairs might include leaking roofs, electrical hazards, heating & plumbing repairs, septic & well replacements and home modifications for persons with physical disabilities. All repairs are made to energy efficiency standards and "green" standards.  Since it began offering rehab services, Arbor Housing and Development has provided necessary repairs to more than 1,200 homes in Steuben, Schuyler, and Chemung Counties in New York.

Eligible applicants must have owned and occupied your home for at least 12 months, have homeowners insurance, and meet income and certain other criteria. For more information, call 607-654-7487 to speak with one of our housing advisors or email [email protected] to find out if you may be eligible.

Housing Rehabilitation Application

Required Documents for Rehabilitation