June Is Homeownership Month: Keeping the Dream of Homeownership Alive in New York

June 1, 2026

In New York, home means something different. It might be a co-op in Queens where generations gather for Sunday dinner. A downtown apartment in Brooklyn with a view of the Manhattan skyline. A home on Long Island with a backyard for the children. Or a condo in Westchester close to work, school, and community.

In a city and region where housing costs continue to challenge working families, the dream of homeownership can sometimes feel just out of reach. That is why National Homeownership Month matters. It is an opportunity to remind New Yorkers that with the right guidance, trusted partners, and access to the right programs, owning a home is still possible.

At Ridgewood Savings Bank, helping neighbors become homeowners has always been part of who we are. As New York’s largest community savings bank, we understand the communities we serve because we are part of them. Our customers are not account numbers. They are the families we see at local schools, neighborhood restaurants, , Little League games, and community events.

For first-time buyers, the process can feel intimidating. Questions about down payments, closing costs, interest rates, and mortgage qualifications often stop people before they even begin exploring their options. That is where a community bank can make a real difference.

Ridgewood works closely with local organizations and housing partners to help customers understand what programs may be available to them, including:

• New York City’s HomeFirst program, which may provide qualified first-time buyers with assistance toward down payments and closing costs.
• The Homebuyer Dream Program provides grant funds to be used towards down payment, closing cost assistance and homebuyer counseling services for eligible first-time homebuyers.
• Affordable mortgage solutions designed to help low- and moderate-income individuals and families achieve homeownership.
• SONYMA mortgage programs that offer competitive rates and financing options for qualified buyers.
• Personalized guidance from experienced mortgage professionals who understand the New York market and the unique needs of local communities.

Most importantly, we believe conversations matter.

A mortgage should never feel like a transaction pushed through a website or a call center reading from a script. Buying a home is personal. It deserves real people who take the time to listen, explain the process clearly, and help customers make informed decisions that fit their lives and budgets.

That is the community banking difference.

At Ridgewood, customers can schedule an appointment or contact a mortgage consultant, ask questions, and know they are speaking with someone who understands New York neighborhoods and the realities of buying a home here.

Homeownership remains one of the strongest ways families build stability and invest in their future. It strengthens blocks, supports local economies, and keeps neighborhoods vibrant for the next generation.

This June, during National Homeownership Month, Ridgewood Savings Bank is proud to continue helping New Yorkers navigate the path home with guidance, trusted relationships, and a commitment to the communities we have served for more than 100 years.

Ridgewood Savings Bank is an approved lender with the New York City Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), which works with Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City (NHS) to offer the HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program.
Terms and restrictions apply to the loan programs mentioned.
This blog is for informational purposes only. Loan products and services are subject to credit approval. Products, terms, and conditions are subject to change. Member FDIC