Shared-appreciation loan
Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program
New construction · Income limits · Single Family · Condo
Down payment assistance · Franklin County
Buying a home in Columbus, OH
6 Columbus programs, 1 county program and 7 statewide.Columbus has 6 programs of its own, 1 more across Franklin County, and 7 statewide. Here is what each one offers, what the local market looks like, and who near you can walk you through it.
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Only for Columbus addresses
Columbus’s own programs
Forgivable loan
Homeport Growing Homeownership Fund
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single Family · Condo · 2-4 Unit
Forgivable loan
City of Columbus American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) - NED Fund
First-time homebuyers · Income limits
Deferred second loan
American Dream Downpayment Initiative
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · Single-family detached, condo, townhouse, 1-2 unit owner-occupied
Down-payment assistance
Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program
First-time homebuyers · New construction · Income limits · Single Family
Deferred second loan
Maude Hill Growing Homeownership Fund
First-time homebuyers · Income limits · Single-family detached, condo, townhouse, 1-2 unit owner-occupied
Anywhere in FranklinAnywhere in Franklin County
1 county program1 county program a Columbus homebuyer can also use
The Columbus marketThe Columbus housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat’s for sale here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Columbus
- 44.3% single-familysingle-family
- 10.2% townhousetownhouse
- 12.6% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 32% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 0.8% mobile & othermobile home & other
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Columbus’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
49.8%
of Columbus homes were built before 1980. Pre-1978 homes come with a federal lead-paint disclosure.of homes were built before 1980. A home built before 1978 comes with a federal lead-paint disclosure, and some programs require an inspection.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25034.
$111,500
County area median income, 4 people (HUD)HUD area median income, Franklin County, 4-person household (2026)
$66,082
Columbus median household incomeMedian household income in Columbus (Census, 2024)
17 of the 76 programs here set their income limit as a share of Franklin County’s area median income, adjusted for household size. See the published limits for Franklin County
Free help nearbyFree help near Columbus
7 HUD-approved counseling agencies within 15 miles7 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies within 15 miles
7 programs here ask for a homebuyer class first. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.All 7 local programs here ask for a homebuyer class. A HUD-approved counselor teaches it and can walk you through your options. Create a free account to see who’s near you and pick one.
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Across Ohio and nationwide
69 statewide & federal programs7 statewide programs, plus federal options
Columbus questions
Does Columbus have its own down payment program?
Yes, 6: Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program, Homeport Growing Homeownership Fund, City of Columbus American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) - NED Fund, American Dream Downpayment Initiative, Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program and Maude Hill Growing Homeownership Fund. Each is for homes inside Columbus.
Can I use assistance on a condo in Columbus?
Each program sets which kinds of homes it accepts. Where the agency publishes them, the program’s page lists them; the agency confirms it for the home you choose.
What is the income limit in Franklin County?
Each program sets its own. 17 of the programs here set theirs as a share of HUD’s area median income for Franklin County, adjusted for household size. HUD publishes the median each year; the 2026 figure is shown above and on the published limits page.
Where can I take a homebuyer class near Columbus?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 7 agencies are within 15 miles of Columbus. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
ZIP codes
43085 · 43201 · 43202 · 43203 · 43204 · 43205 · 43206 · 43207 · 43209 · 43210 · 43211 · 43212 · 43213 · 43214 · 43215 · 43216 · 43217 · 43218 · 43219 · 43220 · 43221 · 43222 · 43223 · 43224 · 43226 · 43227 · 43228 · 43229 · 43230 · 43231 · 43232 · 43234 · 43235 · 43236 · 43240 · 43251 · 43260 · 43265 · 43266 · 43268 · 43270 · 43271 · 43272 · 43279 · 43287 · 43291 · 43299
Nearby in Franklin
Sources
Sources: agency sites (June–August 2026), Census ACS 2024 5-year, HUD FY2026, HUD counseling list. Hey Prescott is not a lender.Programs: Hey Prescott catalog of 2,000+ programs, each verified with its agency (June–August 2026). Market: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.