Down payment assistance in Ohio: every program (2026)

Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority (The Port), through participating lenders

For

Eligible homebuyers statewide using a participating lender; no first-time homebuyer agreement

Amount

Grant of 3%, 4% or 5% of the loan for down payment/closing costs (buyer picks only what is needed); no dollar cap published

Form

Grant, no repayment

Income cap

Borrower-only income (not household): HUD limits for government loans, Freddie Mac HFA Advantage limits for conventional (PDF tables dated 5-23-25)

First-timers only

No

Pairs with Ohio Heroes

unknown - Communities First comes with its own first mortgage from the Port's lenders, while Ohio Heroes is an OHFA first mortgage, so the two are probably alternatives rather than stackable; not stated

Page (modified Oct 2, 2026) says grant funds are 'continuous' with no allocation process; no resale/refinance restrictions and no minimum occupancy period. 30+ participating lenders statewide.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, through member banks/credit unions

For

Low- to moderate-income buyers (first-time and repeat) in OH, KY and TN working with an FHLB Cincinnati member lender

Amount

Up to $20,000 grant for down payment and closing costs (2026 round, per member-bank pages)

Form

Grant, no repayment

Income cap

At or below 80% of the Mortgage Revenue Bond (MRB) income limit for the county

First-timers only

No

Pairs with Ohio Heroes

unknown - not stated on the pages read

2026 reservations opened 8:00 a.m. ET April 6, 2026, first-come first-served until funds are reserved; this program usually runs out within weeks, and no page read says whether 2026 money is left. Requires $500 of buyer's own funds, homebuyer counseling for first-time buyers before closing, and a 5-year retention agreement. Must apply through a member lender. FHLB's own site (fhlbcin.com) blocked automated access, so the details come from member-bank pages (Peoples Bank, Peoples Exchange Bank).

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

City of Columbus

For

Buyers who have not owned a home in 36 months; 6+ months Ohio residency

Amount

Up to 6% of purchase price, max $14,999

Form

Forgivable loan

Income cap

120% AMI (Columbus MSA, eff. 6/1/2025): $117,720 (3 people) / $130,800 (family of 4)

Price cap

No fixed cap; price cannot exceed appraised value

First-timers only

Yes

Fine print

Home must be inside Columbus city limits; $500 of buyer's own (non-gift) funds; HUD-certified homebuyer education within 18 months of closing; PITI no more than 35% of income and total debt no more than 45%; post-closing liquid assets capped at $10,000; fixed-rate Conventional/FHA/VA/USDA/203K through a City-certified ADDI lender; apply through the lender at least 4 weeks before closing

Deferred loan forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy. The program uses non-federal City funds even though it is named ADDI. Other DPA, gifts and seller seconds may be combined, but not City Land Trust homes. Funds are limited, first-come first-served. Guidelines: https://www.columbus.gov/files/sharedassets/city/v/1/housing-amp-assistance-programs/addi/2025-addi-guidelines.pdf

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

Franklin County

For

First-time AND first-generation homebuyers

Amount

$25,000

Form

Grant, no repayment

Income cap

120% of HUD MTSP limit for Franklin County ($123,960 for 4 in 2024)

First-timers only

Yes

Fine print

Homebuyer education; 5-year retention agreement; mortgage from an FHLB member or OHFA

The $5M pilot's funds are all used and it is not taking applications; the page says notice will be given if it reopens. Do not present it as available.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

Cuyahoga County (51 suburban communities; excludes Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Lakewood)

For

Buyers who have not owned a home in the past 3 years

Amount

Up to 17% of purchase price or $21,900

Form

Deferred loan, no monthly bill

Income cap

80% AMI

First-timers only

Yes

Fine print

Single-family, owner-occupied; homeownership classes required (free through CHN)

The program page calls it a deferred loan repaid on sale, transfer or refinance, but the Believe DPA FAQ says it is forgivable after 5 or 10 years depending on amount; confirm. The County's Sept 2025 release said 10% / $20,900; the current program page says 17% / $21,900. County Council renewed HOME funding ($872,000, about 38 buyers) for two years in May 2025.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

City of Parma

For

Buyers who have not owned a home in the past 3 years

Amount

Up to $21,900

Form

Deferred loan, no monthly bill

Income cap

80% AMI (~$79,500 for family of 4)

Price cap

$219,000

First-timers only

Yes

Fine print

Home in Parma; single-family owner-occupied; HUD-approved homebuyer education

Deferred loan repayable on sale, transfer of title or refinance.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

City of Cleveland Heights

For

Low- and moderate-income households buying in Cleveland Heights

Income cap

Low/moderate income (HOME; amount not stated)

The City page confirms HOME-funded DPA exists but gives no amount or terms. Cleveland Heights is outside the county program.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

City of Cleveland

For

Buyers of newly built or whole-house-rehabbed homes in Cleveland (homeowners and developers)

Amount

Property-tax abatement on the improvement value (terms per Ordinance 482-2022)

Form

tax abatement

First-timers only

No

Fine print

Work must be done under a valid City building permit; updated program in effect since Jan 1, 2024

Not DPA. Included because no City of Cleveland buyer DPA program was found. The county DPA program excludes Cleveland because of federal restrictions.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

City of Cincinnati

For

First-time low-to-moderate-income buyers (no ownership in last 3 years)

Amount

Up to $14,999

Form

Deferred loan, no monthly bill

Income cap

Low-to-moderate income (exact limit not stated in the City document)

First-timers only

Yes

Fine print

Single-family owner-occupied; HUD-approved homebuyer counseling; 5-year residency requirement with recapture if sold or moved

The City's 'Federal Program Resources' list (as of August 2026) says it is a 5-year non-interest-bearing deferred loan with ongoing, rolling applications. The program page (choosecincy.com) blocked automated access and was not read.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

City of Dayton

For

Households under 80% AMI buying in Dayton

Amount

Up to 10% of purchase price

Income cap

80% AMI

Price cap

$105,000 existing home / $195,000 new construction

Fine print

$500 of buyer's own funds; must live in the home 5+ years; homebuyer class and meeting with a HomeOwnership Center advisor

Listed on the City's Resources page (undated). The HomeOwnership Center's own DPA page now lists only the Northwest/West Dayton program, so confirm this citywide program still has funds.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

Northwestern and western neighborhoods, City of Dayton

For

First-time buyers purchasing a Welcome Home Ohio or Northwest Pathways home in the mapped area

Amount

Up to $7,000

Form

Deferred loan, no monthly bill

Income cap

No income limit for the DPA itself (the housing programs have their own limits)

Price cap

None

First-timers only

Yes

Fine print

$500 of buyer's own funds (FHA 3.5%); housing ratio no more than 31% and total debt no more than 42%; advisor appointment plus homebuyer class ($30 live / $49 online); 0% deferred loan due in full on sale, refinance or move-out

Guidelines PDF dated 1.2026: https://homeownershipdayton.speedstorecdn.com/2026/02/CityWide-DPA-new-builds-1.2026.pdf

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

Edgemont, Miami Chapel, Madden Hills (City of Dayton)

For

Buyers who have not owned in the past 3 years

Amount

$10,000

Form

Forgivable loan

First-timers only

Yes

Fine print

Forgiven over 5 years of owner-occupancy; $500 of buyer's own funds (FHA 3.5%); homebuyer class and advisor meeting

Page still live, but guidelines are from 2023 and the program is not linked from the HOC's main DPA page. Possibly inactive; confirm.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

Montgomery County outside Dayton and Kettering

For

First-time buyers under 80% AMI

Amount

10% of price up to $8,000

Form

Deferred loan, no monthly bill

Income cap

80% AMI (page table outdated)

First-timers only

Yes

Fine print

$500 of buyer's own funds; homebuyer class

Page says 'CURRENTLY OUT OF FUNDING' (it also mentions expecting funding in 2022, so the page is stale). Kettering has its own program, but the only guidelines linked are from 2015.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

City of Akron

For

Buyers who have not owned property in the past 3 years; no bankruptcy or foreclosure in the last 2 years

Amount

$7,500 (reduced if liquid assets after purchase exceed $15,000, per news report)

Form

Forgivable loan

Income cap

$54,400 (1 person) to $77,701 (family of 4) to $102,600 (8 people)

Price cap

$219,000 existing / $296,000 new construction (per Signal Akron; not on EANDC page)

First-timers only

Yes

Fine print

Home inside Akron city limits, owner-occupied; HUD-approved homebuyer education within 2 years; 1% buyer contribution and 30-year mortgage (per Signal Akron)

HUD HOME-funded; $300,000 budget (about 33-35 buyers); launched Aug 25, 2026; first-come first-served. Forgiven after 5 years (20%/year, per Signal Akron July 2026).

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

City of Toledo

For

First-time buyers (no ownership in past 3 years)

Amount

Up to $12,500; up to $20,000 in Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas (Englewood, Junction, Old South End, East Toledo)

Form

Grant, no repayment

Income cap

80% AMI (2026): $68,700 (3 people) / $76,300 (family of 4)

First-timers only

Yes

Fine print

Single-family or condo inside Toledo city limits; $500 minimum buyer contribution (includes inspection); HUD-approved counseling (NeighborWorks Toledo Region or NID); fixed-rate mortgage through a participating lender (30 listed); City lead/visual inspection

Page updated 10/15/2026; brochure dated 9/2026; closes in about 21 days. 2025 average award was $7,540 (City release, Jan 2026).

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

City of Lorain

For

First-time buyers or no ownership in 3 years

Amount

Up to 10% of down payment/closing need, max $14,900

Form

Forgivable loan

Income cap

80% AMI (2026): $75,600 (3 people) / $84,000 (family of 4)

Price cap

HUD HOME homeownership value limit (contact City)

First-timers only

Yes

Fine print

Buyer contributes up to 3% of price, at least $1,000; housing ratio no more than 30% and total debt no more than 43%; HUD-approved education certificate BEFORE signing a purchase agreement; 30-year fixed; City NSPIRE inspection; single-family

0% deferred loan forgiven 20%/year over 5 years. 2026 brochure and application are posted.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing

City of Youngstown

For

Buyers of single-family homes or condos in Youngstown

Amount

Up to $10,000 DPA (+ up to $25,000 for repairs/energy upgrades)

Form

Forgivable loan

Fine print

$500 earnest money; counseling via Catholic Charities

$5M ARPA program. The City website slide is titled 'At Home in Youngstown - All Program Funds Expended', and WKBN reported it was out of money. Treat as ended; do not promote.

Checked November 2026 · our sourcing