NORWICH – Any person seeking to purchase one of three new houses built with state and city dollars has about three weeks to file an application, officials said Wednesday.

Applicants must be first-time home buyers and in the moderate income range, said city Planning and Community Development Specialist Todd Dreyer.

Another grant recently awarded will pay for the renovation of the vacant building at 24 E. Main St., which the city hopes to also sell as a viable commercial or downtown retail space.

All requisite forms and information are available at Dreyer’s office in city hall.

City officials want to close on the three houses before the end of November, when an $8,000 federal tax credit for first-time home buyers is set to expire.

“We still have time if they get the applications filed,” said Norwich Mayor Joseph P. Maiurano. “We don’t want them to lose that (credit).”

The city will be asking between $90-$95,000 per house. Including the demolition of each vacant property the three houses replaced and their construction, each home cost roughly $190,000 to build.

“People are getting a pretty substantial deal,” said Dreyer.