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Welcome Home Program (FHLB Cincinnati)

Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati · Kentucky

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$10,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Grant

Not repaid

What is Welcome Home Program (FHLB Cincinnati)?

Welcome Home Program (FHLB Cincinnati) is a grant for homebuyers in Kentucky, administered by Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati.

  • The Welcome Home Program (WHP) provides grants of up to $20,000 (minimum $10,000) to help income-eligible homebuyers in Kentucky, Ohio, and Tennessee with down payment and closing costs. Grants are accessed through participating FHLB Cincinnati member financial institutions and reserved first-come, first-served when the annual round opens. Homebuyers must contribute at least $500 of their own funds and the home is subject to a five-year retention mechanism.
  • Up to $20,000 grant for down payment and closing costs.
  • No repayment if 5-year retention met.
  • Not limited to first-time buyers.
  • Manufactured and new construction eligible.
  • Available statewide through member lenders.
  • Funding comes from FHLB Cincinnati Affordable Housing Program set-aside.

How much assistance does it provide?

Welcome Home Program (FHLB Cincinnati) offers between $10,000 and $20,000 in assistance, depending on the award tier a buyer qualifies under.

  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Welcome Home Program (FHLB Cincinnati) is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

  • Repayment is triggered by Pro-rated repayment if the home is sold, refinanced, foreclosed, transferred, or deeded-in-lieu within the 5-year retention period.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Welcome Home Program (FHLB Cincinnati) is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No program-level minimum; borrower must qualify for a first mortgage with a participating member institution.
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved homebuyer counseling course (required for first-time homebuyers prior to closing).
  • FUNDING STATUS: The 2026 round opened April 6, 2026; the official homebuyer page now shows the 2026 program as closed (funds reserved). Program recurs annually - confirm next round opening date before publishing as currently open. GAP: lien position and county-level income limit dollar amounts not captured.

The program excludes

  • Households above 80% of area median income

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

What are the income limits?

Welcome Home Program (FHLB Cincinnati) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Total income for all occupants at or below 80% of the Mortgage Revenue Bond limit for the county/state (per FHLB Cincinnati 2026 KY/OH/TN income limit schedule).
  • Area median income figures are published by HUD and updated annually, so check the current table for the county before relying on a number.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Welcome Home Program (FHLB Cincinnati) can be used for Single Family, Townhouse, Condo, 2-4 Unit, and Manufactured.

  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are eligible.

Where does it apply?

Welcome Home Program (FHLB Cincinnati) serves buyers purchasing anywhere in Kentucky.

How do you apply?

Applications for Welcome Home Program (FHLB Cincinnati) go through Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD-approved homebuyer counseling course (required for first-time homebuyers prior to closing)..

  2. Contact Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served; reservations submitted by participating FHLB member institution. 2026 round opened 8:00 a.m. ET April 6, 2026., and are subject to availability.

  3. Work with a lender who handles the program

    Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a buyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

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