Columbus, OH · city desk

Down payment assistance in Columbus, OH

The City of Columbus offers one buyer program of its own, a forgivable loan of up to $14,999 for homes inside city limits.

What can a Columbus homebuyer get from the city right now?

The City of Columbus Department of Development, Housing Division runs the American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI). It pays up to 6% of the purchase price, capped at $14,999, as a deferred loan that is forgiven after five years of owner-occupancy. Despite the federal-sounding name, Columbus funds it with non-federal City money. Funds are limited and go first-come, first-served, so treat it as funding-dependent. The home must sit inside Columbus city limits, you can't have owned a home in the last 36 months, and you need at least six months of Ohio residency.

The income ceiling is generous for a city program: 120% of area median, or $117,720 for three people and $130,800 for a family of four (Columbus MSA figures effective June 1, 2025). In exchange the underwriting is specific. You bring $500 of your own non-gift money, finish HUD-certified homebuyer education within 18 months of closing, keep the housing payment at or under 35% of income and total debt at or under 45%, and leave closing with no more than $10,000 in liquid assets. The first mortgage must be fixed-rate (Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA or 203K) through a City-certified ADDI lender, who should submit the request at least four weeks before closing. Gifts, seller seconds and other assistance can be layered in; City Land Trust homes are the exception.

Franklin County's FHLB Rise Up pilot for first-generation buyers is closed, so ADDI is the local piece. A Columbus City Schools teacher or a Columbus Division of Fire firefighter can also look at Ohio Heroes, the discounted OHFA rate with optional 3% or 3.5% assistance. Because Franklin is in OHFA's Columbus-area group, its limits run higher than most of the state; see the Franklin County guide or run the program finder.

Run by the city of Columbus

American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) - City of Columbus

Money can run out

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

Read the full report → Check if I qualify →

County programs Columbus buyers can use

Rise Up Program (FHLB Cincinnati pilot)

Closed

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

Check if I qualify →

Programs that work anywhere in the state

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

County page: Franklin County

Homebuyer classes near Franklin County

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

Agency	City	Miles	Services	Languages	How it is taught
Ohio State University Extension	Columbus	2 mi	Buyer class / Pre-buy advice	English	In person / By phone / Online
Columbus Housing Partnership, Inc, Dba Homeport	Columbus	6 mi	Buyer class / Pre-buy advice	English	In person / By phone / Online
Neighborhood Housing Partnership of Greater Springfield, Inc.	Springfield	42 mi	Buyer class / Pre-buy advice	English	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 Columbus readers

Can I use Columbus ADDI for a home in Dublin or Westerville?

No. The City of Columbus program requires the home to be inside Columbus city limits. Suburbs in Franklin County are left with statewide options such as Ohio Heroes, Communities First and Welcome Home.

What is the income limit for Columbus ADDI?

120% of area median income for the Columbus MSA: $117,720 for a household of three and $130,800 for a family of four, effective June 1, 2025.

Do I have to repay the Columbus ADDI loan?

It is a deferred loan forgiven after five years of living in the home. Selling or moving out earlier can trigger repayment, so check the guidelines with your ADDI-certified lender.