NORWICH – People looking to buy a home in Chenango County may be eligible for a financial leg up, thanks to a recent round of grant funding earmarked for first time home buyers.

Quaranta Housing Services, the housing assistance division of Opportunities for Chenango (OFC), is soliciting eligible applicants for the seventh round of its First Time Homebuyer Program. In addition to offering financial assistance, the First Time Homebuyer Program aims to educate low income families about the facts of home ownership and the home buying process.

OFC was recently awarded $350,000 through New York State Homes and Community Renewal for the program which will allow Quaranta to provide up to $20,500 for downpayment and closing cost assistance to approximately 17 Chenango County families.

“It’s a good program to help people who are considering buying their first home,” said First Time Homebuyer Program Coordinator Michele Clark. “But it does require pre-purchase education which can be taken either in group or online.”