Story 3: The Evolution of the Homeownership Program

Posted Jan 22, 2026

For many, buying a first home can be an overwhelming and stressful experience fraught with uncertainty. INHS’s homeownership program, established in 1978, walks prospective homebuyers through every step of the process, offering down payment and closing cost financial assistance, one-on-one financial counseling, and homebuyer education courses.

By 1986, just eight years after the homeownership program began, INHS helped over 100 individuals purchase their first home. 86 of these 100 new homeowners had been previous Ithaca neighborhood renters. With unprecedented impact, the program has expanded well beyond Ithaca and is now offered across Cayuga, Chemung, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga, and Tompkins Counties.

The cost of homeownership continues to climb in the region, making INHS’s services more relevant than ever. Since its inception, INHS has assisted over 1,350 first-time homebuyers in purchasing their first home with financial assistance, and nearly 11,000 households have participated in home buyer education and one-on-one counseling.

First-time homebuyer courses help participants qualify for mortgages and understand credit, avoid expensive mistakes, understand the purchasing process, and gain an edge when looking for homes for sale. Graduates of the homeownership program report not only feeling more confident in their ability to purchase a home but also that their financial health is strengthened. In 2025, INHS helped Jerry and Molly purchase their first home. “INHS’s priority is to help people get homes. I felt like I had an advocate,” Jerry shared about the experience.

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