State of New York Mortgage Agency

Can't afford a penthouse in Trump Tower? You're not alone. That's why the State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA), a public benefit corporation, was created by statute in 1970. SONYMA -- pronounced "Sony Mae" -- provides financing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers looking to buy their first home. It offers low down payments, below-market interest rates, longer rate lock periods, and various incentives to encourage borrowers to purchase and renovate properties in need of improvements. SONYMA also provides loans to builders and developers to fund community development and neighborhood preservation projects. Since its inception, the agency has helped more than 150,000 New York families afford housing.