Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown Homeownership / Down Payment Assistance Program

What is Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown Homeownership / Down Payment Assistance Program?

Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown Homeownership / Down Payment Assistance Program is a grant for homebuyers in Youngstown, Ohio, administered by Catholic Charities Regional Agency (Diocese of Youngstown / Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities).

• Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown operates a Homeownership / Down Payment Assistance Program through its HUD-certified housing counseling service, offering up to $3,000 toward down payment and closing costs (1% buyer contribution), plus pre- and post-purchase counseling. In April 2026 ODOD awarded $42,755 to provide DPA and counseling to ~7 households at or below 65% AMI across six counties.
• Up to $3,000 DPA.
• Only 1% buyer contribution.
• HUD-certified counseling.
• Serves 6 counties.
• Up to $500 education support.
• Funding comes from Ohio Department of Development - Housing Assistance Grant Program (Ohio Housing Trust Fund).

How much assistance does it provide?

Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown Homeownership / Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $3,000 in assistance.

• Buyer contribution: You must contribute 1% of the mortgage cost.
• Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Catholic Charities Regional Agency (Diocese of Youngstown / Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown Homeownership / Down Payment Assistance Program is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown Homeownership / Down Payment Assistance Program is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown Homeownership / Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 65% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• 2026 ODOD grant funds DPA to households at or below 65% AMI across the six-county service area.
• The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
• 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?

Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown Homeownership / Down Payment Assistance Program can be used for Single Family.

• New construction is not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown Homeownership / Down Payment Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Youngstown, Ohio.

How do you apply?

Applications for Catholic Charities Diocese of Youngstown Homeownership / Down Payment Assistance Program go through Catholic Charities Regional Agency (Diocese of Youngstown / Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through Catholic Charities HUD-certified housing counselors; up to $500/household for homebuyer education under the ODOD grant.

2. 2

   Contact Catholic Charities Regional Agency (Diocese of Youngstown / Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities) to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Through HUD-certified housing counselors; grant-fund dependent, and are subject to availability.

3. 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.