Cincinnati, OH · city desk

Down payment assistance in Cincinnati, OH

The City of Cincinnati takes rolling applications for an interest-free deferred loan of up to $14,999 for first-time, low-to-moderate-income buyers.

Is Cincinnati's ADDI money available right now?

Yes, according to the City's most recent list. The Cincinnati American Dream Downpayment Initiative, run by the Department of Opportunity and Resident Services, appears on the City's Federal Program Resources list (as of August 2026) as an ongoing program with rolling applications. It is a five-year, non-interest-bearing deferred loan of up to $14,999 for first-time low-to-moderate-income buyers, meaning no ownership in the last three years.

The residency rule is the part to plan around. You must live in the single-family home for five years; sell or move out sooner and the City recaptures the assistance. You also need HUD-approved homebuyer counseling. The City document does not state an exact income limit, and the dedicated program page could not be read, so confirm your household's eligibility with the department before you make an offer. One outside summary puts the maximum at $14,000 rather than $14,999.

No separate Hamilton County program was found, so the next layer is statewide, and two of those options have Cincinnati roots. Communities First, an open grant of 3%, 4% or 5% of the loan with no first-time requirement, comes from the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority through 30-plus lenders. Welcome Home, a grant of up to $20,000 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, depends on 2026 funds. A Cincinnati Public Schools teacher or a Cincinnati Police or Fire Department employee can also use Ohio Heroes, OHFA's discounted rate with 3% or 3.5% forgivable assistance. Hamilton County's OHFA limits are $109,900 for 1 to 2 people and $126,385 for 3 or more; the Hamilton County guide has the details.

Run by the city of Cincinnati

American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) - City of Cincinnati

Open

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

Read the full report →Check if I qualify →

Programs that work anywhere in the state

A home in Cincinnati also qualifies for 3 statewide programs, Ohio Heroes among them. The full Ohio list · the program matcher

County page: Hamilton County

Homebuyer classes near Hamilton County

Plan on a homebuyer class. Nearly every assistance program makes you take one before closing. These HUD-approved agencies near Hamilton County teach the class or offer one-on-one counseling before you buy:

Agency	City	Miles	Services	Languages	How it is taught
Working In Neighborhoods	Cincinnati	3 mi	Buyer class / Pre-buy advice	English	In person / By phone / Online
Miami Valley Community Action Partnership	Dayton	42 mi	Pre-buy advice	English	In person / By phone / Online
County Corp	Dayton	43 mi	Pre-buy advice	English	By phone / Online
Horizon Housing Communities Development for Ohio (Hhcdo)	Dayton	46 mi	Buyer class / Pre-buy advice	English / Spanish	In person / By phone / Online

From HUD's list of approved housing counseling agencies. A class one program accepts may not count for another.

Which class counts? Ask the loan officer before you sign up. Lenders who handle Ohio programs know which course is required, and they can get your pre-approval moving while you study. Start the eligibility check

Questions from Cincinnati readers

How much is Cincinnati ADDI?

Up to $14,999 according to the City's August 2026 program list, as a five-year, interest-free deferred loan.

What happens if I sell before five years?

The City program carries a five-year residency requirement with recapture, so selling or moving out early means paying the assistance back.

Is Communities First a Cincinnati program?

It is run by the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority but is available statewide through participating lenders, so Cincinnati buyers can use it too.