Ohio Down Payment Assistance
Ohio Down Payment Assistance Programs
A guide to current down payment assistance options in Ohio, including the state Housing Finance Agency, well-known city and county programs, and live DPA mortgage pricing for Ohio homebuyers.
Ohio Housing Finance Agency
Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA)
myohiohome.org1-888-362-6432
OHFA administers the primary DPA programs for Ohio. Program details below are current as of October 17, 2026 - confirm current terms directly with OHFA before applying.
Statewide DPA Programs in Ohio
Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance
OHFA
Down payment assistance of 3% (conventional) or 3.5% (FHA/VA/USDA) of the purchase price. 0% interest; forgiven after 7 years of owner occupancy. Full repayment required if the home is sold or refinanced before year 7.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Income: County-based limits per OHFA schedule.
- Homebuyer education required
Must be used with an OHFA 30-year fixed first mortgage. Minimum credit score is 640 (650 for FHA). Can be used for down payment, closing costs, or prepaids.
Source: myohiohome.org
Grants for Grads
OHFA
Discounted mortgage interest rate plus 3% (conventional) or 3.5% (government) down payment assistance. Forgiven after 5 years if the borrower remains in Ohio.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Income: County-based limits per OHFA schedule.
- Homebuyer education required
For buyers who graduated within the last 18 months with an associate degree or higher from an accredited college or university. No ownership of a primary residence in the last 3 years. Partial or full repayment if the home is sold and the borrower leaves Ohio within 5 years. Minimum credit score is 640 (650 for FHA).
Source: myohiohome.org
Ohio Heroes
OHFA
Discounted mortgage interest rate for eligible public-service professionals. Can be combined with Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance.
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- Primary residence only
- Minimum FICO: 640
- Income: County-based limits per OHFA schedule.
- Homebuyer education required
Eligible: veterans, active-duty military, reservists and surviving spouses; police, firefighters (including volunteer), EMTs and paramedics; physicians, nurse practitioners, RNs, LPNs and STNAs; pre-K through 12 teachers, administrators and counselors. Minimum credit score is 640 (650 for FHA).
Source: myohiohome.org
Mortgage Tax Credit (MTC)
OHFA
Federal tax credit of 40% of annual mortgage interest (up to $2,000 per year) with an OHFA MTC Plus loan, or 15% (20% in target areas) with a non-OHFA loan (MTC Basic).
Paired with: Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA
- First-time homebuyer: Required
- Primary residence only
- Income: County-based limits per OHFA schedule.
No ownership of a primary residence in the last 3 years. Non-refundable, so the borrower needs a tax liability. MTC Plus can be combined with OHFA down payment assistance and requires homebuyer education; MTC Basic does not. OHFA paused new applications on September 3, 2026 and expected to reopen October 1, 2026; confirm availability.
Source: myohiohome.org
Major City & County Programs in Ohio
Cuyahoga County Down Payment Assistance Program
Believe Mortgage / CHN Housing Partners · Cuyahoga County, OH (excludes Cleveland, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, and Lakewood)
Deferred subordinated loan up to 10% of the purchase price (up to $20,900) toward down payment and closing costs.
Household income must be at or below 80% AMI. No home ownership in the past 3 years. First mortgage LTV up to 80%; housing DTI up to 28% and total DTI up to 43%. Homeownership education is required. Property must be a single-family primary residence in an eligible Cuyahoga community.
Source: cuyahogacounty.gov
Ohio Notes for Homebuyers
- OHFA programs require homebuyer education through an OHFA-approved counseling agency.
- Income and purchase price limits are updated periodically; verify on myohiohome.org.
2026 Loan Limits in Ohio
Conforming (Conventional)
$832,750 baseline
FHA
$541,287
Standard FHA limit, applies to most Ohio counties.
Live DPA Pricing for Ohio
Pricing below is sourced live from hundreds of wholesale lenders for a Ohio scenario. Edit the inputs to match your situation.
FHA Down Payment Assistance
Up to 5% assistance; repayable second at first rate + 2% over 10 years
▸Program details
- ✓Minimum credit score: 580
- ✓Non-traditional credit also possible
- ✓Assistance up to 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% of the lesser of purchase price or appraised value
- ✓Assistance can be used for down payment, closing costs, or both
- ✓Second lien: 10-year fixed, repayable
- ✓Second lien rate is 2% higher than the first mortgage rate
- ✓No first-time homebuyer requirement
- ✓No income cap
- ✓Purchase of primary residence only
- ✓Eligible properties: 1-unit residences, PUD, 2-4 units, FHA-approved condos, manufactured (single/double-wide)
- ✓DTI per AUS and FHA manual underwriting guidelines
- ✓First lien: FHA 30-year fixed
Assistance amount
Compare DPA options for Ohio with live pricing
Rate Direct pairs down payment assistance with live first-lien pricing so you see the combined monthly payment up front.