Ohio first-time home buyer programs
Ohio Housing Finance Agency lists 2 programs that help buyers in Ohio with the down payment or closing costs. Amounts and terms are shown as the agency publishes them.
- Programs from the agency
- 2
- Biggest amount listed
- 3.5% of the loan
- First-time buyers only
- 1 of 2 programs
- Income caps
- Set per program
Down payment assistance programs in Ohio
| Program | Amount | Grant or loan | Income limit | First-time buyers only |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OHFA Down Payment Assistance. With an OHFA FHA, VA, USDA-RD or conventional mortgage loan; credit score 640+; homebuyer course; price limit varies by county. | Up to 3.5% of the price | Forgivable loan: Forgiven after seven years; repay it all if you sell sooner. | Limits vary by Ohio county, with separate limits for targeted areas. | No |
| Grants for Grads. Only for recent college graduates with an associate's, bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree earned within 18 months. With OHFA First-Time Homebuyer loan; credit score 640+. | Up to 3.5% of the price | Forgivable loan: Forgiven after five years in Ohio; moving out earlier means repaying some or all. | Limits vary by Ohio county, with separate limits for targeted areas. | Yes |
Usually, "first-time buyers only" means you haven't owned a home during the past three years, though every program sets a rule of its own. The name of each program links to a Ohio Housing Finance Agency page that says whether applications are open right now. The agency also maintains its own list of participating lenders. Compare down payment assistance programs across all states, or ask a lender that works with Ohio's programs.
How do you repay Ohio's programs?
- Forgivable loan: keep the home and its first mortgage for the set years, and this second loan is written off.
How does your income compare with Ohio's caps?
Every program has its own income cap, which the table shows, and the exact chart is on that program's agency page. Use the HUD income limits lookup (FY2026) to find the figure for your county and household size. If a program relies on its own county chart or Freddie Mac's, the result can differ from HUD's number, and the agency's chart decides.
| HUD area | Median family income | HUD low-income limit |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus | $111,500 | $89,200 |
| Cleveland | $105,000 | $84,000 |
| Cincinnati | $109,900 | $87,900 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | $103,000 | $82,400 |
| Toledo | $95,400 | $76,300 |
Talk to a lender that works with Ohio programs
These programs are paid out through the agency's approved lenders, so the lender is your next step. Tell us where you're buying and a lender that works with Ohio's programs can explain which ones fit you.
Rather not call? Send your details and the lender will reach you.
Are you buying near a state border?
Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia or programs for all 50 states plus DC.