Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program
Shared-appreciation loan · New construction · Income limit 120% of AMI
Single Family, Condo
See details Aug 2026
Down payment assistance · Ohio
Buying a home in Franklin County, OH
5 county-wide programs, 1 city with their own, plus 7 statewide and 62 nationwide.Franklin has 5 programs that cover the whole county and 1 city with a program of their own. On top of those, 7 statewide and 62 nationwide programs are open here. Start with your city or ZIP to see which apply to the home you want.
Free · No credit pull · No SSN
Anywhere in FranklinAnywhere in Franklin County
5 programs for every Franklin address5 programs that cover every Franklin address
All 5 ask for a homebuyer class.These are run for the whole county, so a home in Columbus, Dublin or Grove City can use them. All 5 ask for a homebuyer class.
Homeport Growing Homeownership Fund
Forgivable loan · New construction · Income limit 120% of AMI
Single Family, Condo, 2-4 Unit
See details Jul 2026
City of Columbus American Dream Downpayment Initiative (ADDI) - NED Fund
Forgivable loan · Forgiven over 5 yrs · Income limit 120% of AMI
See details Jul 2026
Franklin County Downpayment Assistance Program
Deferred second loan · Forgiven over 5 yrs · Income limit 80% of AMI
Single-family detached, condo, townhouse, 1-2 unit owner-occupied
See details Jun 2026
Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program
Down-payment assistance · New construction · Income limit 60% of AMI
Single Family
See details Aug 2026
AMI is HUD’s area median income for Franklin, adjusted for household size. Each program publishes its own dollar limits.
Only inside city limits
1 city with their own program1 Franklin city with their own program
For a home inside that city, on top of the county-wide 5.A city program is for a home inside that city. Buying there? It sits on top of the 5 county-wide programs above.
The Franklin marketThe Franklin housing market
Kinds of homes hereWhat kinds of homes are here, and what the programs accept
Kinds of homes in Franklin
- 52% single-familysingle-family
- 9.9% townhousetownhouse
- 10.8% 2–4 units2–4 units
- 26.2% 5+ unitscondo & apartment buildings (5+ units)
- 1% mobile & othermobile home & other
Condos count. All 2 city programs list condos as eligible.
U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2024 5-year (2020–2024). Table B25024.
When Franklin’s homes were built
pre-19401970s2020+
51.5%
of Franklin 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
HUD area median income, 4 people (FY2026)HUD area median income, Franklin County, 4-person household (FY2026)
$75,176
Median household income (ACS 2024 5-year)Median household income in Franklin (Census ACS 2024 5-year)
52.8%
of occupied homes are owner-occupied (Ohio: 67.2%)
The two income figures measure different things. HUD’s area median income is the one programs use. 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 in FranklinFree help in Franklin
7 HUD-approved counseling agencies with an office in the county7 HUD-approved housing counseling agencies with an office in Franklin County
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.
Find my counselor
Free account → 90-second match → your counselors · Sign in
Counted from HUD’s list of approved agencies: active offices whose ZIP code is in Franklin County.
22 cities and placesA to Z
All cities in Franklin CountyAll 22 cities and places in Franklin County
has a program of its own
Franklin questions
Can I use a county program anywhere in Franklin?
The 5 county-wide programs cover homes anywhere in the county. City programs, like Columbus’s, are only for homes inside that city’s limits. Each agency sets its own rules, so confirm on the program’s official site.
Can I combine a county program with a city program?
Sometimes. Combining ("stacking") programs is set by each administering agency, and some do not allow a second program on the same home. Each program’s page links to the agency that can say.
What is the area median income in Franklin County?
HUD publishes it once a year; the 2026 four-person figure is shown above. Programs set their limits as a share of it, adjusted for household size, and the published limits page lists each one.
Do Franklin programs accept condos?
All 2 city programs list condos as eligible. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.
Where can I take a homebuyer class in Franklin?
HUD-approved housing counseling agencies teach homebuyer classes, and 7 agencies have an office in Franklin County. Create a free account and take the 90-second match to see the ones near you.
Keep exploring
Sources
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), tables B01003, B25077, B25003, B25024, B25034, B25035, B19013. Income: HUD FY2026 income limits. Counselors: HUD list of approved housing counseling agencies. Hey Prescott is not a lender.