Syracuse University and Home HeadQuarters have partnered to offer a homebuyer assistance program for faculty and staff purchasing homes within designated areas of the City of Syracuse called "Matching Cash Grant Zones." These zones are census tracts defined by the U.S. Department of Treasury. If Matching Cash Grant Zone overlaps the boundaries of the existing University Guaranteed Mortgage program, participants are eligible for both programs.

How does it work?
Home HeadQuarters will provide a $1,000 cash grant to a Syracuse University faculty or staff member purchasing a home in a designated Matching Cash Grant Zone. Syracuse University will match the $1,000 for a total grant of $2,000. The cash grant can be applied to the following:

• Down Payment
• Closing Costs
• Attorney's Fees
• Home Inspection Fees
• Property Tax & Insurance Premiums
• Title Insurance

The faculty or staff member must complete the Syracuse University Home Ownership Grant Program application (you will need Adobe Reader 5.0 or later to view) and submit to the University to be approved. Once the application form is approved by Syracuse University, it is the responsibility of the applicant to forward the application to Home HeadQuarters.

Where are the "Matching Cash Grant Zones"?
Matching Cash Grant Zones are located in the following Syracuse census tracts*: 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, 14, 16, 17.01, 20, 21, 23, 24, 27, 30, 35, 36.01, 38, 39, 40, 42, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 57, 58, 59, 61.01

* If you are not sure whether a property is within a Matching Cash Grant Zone, you can find your "tract code" through this U.S. government site, or you can call Home HeadQuarters.

Eligibility Requirements:

• All full-time and regular part-time Syracuse University faculty or staff members are eligible to participate. Temporary faculty and staff, graduate assistants, adjunct instructors, teaching assistants and students are ineligible.
• The buyer may not own other homes within the City of Syracuse upon completion of the purchase of a home with a matching cash grant.
• Eligible properties include single- and two-family homes and townhouses located in a City of Syracuse Matching Cash Grant Zone.
• The property purchased with the matching grant must be the faculty or staff member's primary residence.
• The faculty or staff member must agree to live in the residence for a minimum of three years.
• Applicants must meet all of the requirements of Home HeadQuarters' program, including homebuyer education, personal investment, and other application criteria.
• Funds for the program will be disbursed on a first-come, first-served basis and the program may be suspended by Syracuse University at any time. The University's matching grant is considered taxable income to a participant. However, the University will credit the participating faculty of staff member a sum of money equivalent to the tax withholding incurred, with the goal of ensuring that the participant nets a $1,000 cash grant.
• Only one matching cash grant is available per property.
• A faculty or staff member must complete an application to the University and be approved for participation in the program.

Questions? Please call us at (315) 474-1939 or visit Syracuse University's Home Ownership Grant Program Web Page.