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Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program

Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) · Columbus, Ohio

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Assistance

$50,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

120% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Repayment

Shared appreciation

Settled on the terms set by Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT)

What is Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program?

Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program is a shared-appreciation loan for homebuyers in Columbus, Ohio, administered by Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT).

  • The Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT), a subsidiary of the Franklin County Land Bank, is a shared-equity homeownership program. COCLT permanently owns the land and sells the home to income-eligible buyers (at/below 120% AMI) who lease the land via a 99-year renewable lease, providing a purchase-price write-down of up to $50,000. On resale, the homeowner keeps their down payment, principal paid, and 25% of appreciation, while the subsidy stays with the program. Buyers are selected through a random drawing.
  • Up to $50,000 purchase-price write-down.
  • Permanently affordable shared-equity homeownership.
  • New-construction homes.
  • Homeowner retains 25% appreciation on resale.
  • Funding comes from COCLT with City of Columbus and Franklin County.

How much assistance does it provide?

Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program offers up to $50,000 in assistance.

  • Buyer contribution: Minimum 1% of purchase price at closing; $500 earnest money applied to closing.
  • The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program is a shared-appreciation loan and is repaid under the terms set by Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT).

  • Repayment is triggered by On resale, COCLT and homeowner share appreciation per land-lease formula (homeowner receives 25% of appreciation); subsidy stays with program.
  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program 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-set minimum; set by lender
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through COCLT orientation class plus HUD-approved homebuyer education; Land Lease Class
  • Residency: Available to Franklin County residents who complete the eligibility steps
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-15): pending admin review. Shared-equity CLT with 99-year land lease and $25/month fee; not a cash DPA grant. Buyers selected by random drawing. UNCONFIRMED: max purchase price, min credit score (lender-set), lien position, citizenship.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 120% 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?

Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program limits household income to 120% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • At/below 120% HUD AMI Central Ohio. HUD 2026: 1p $93,650; 2p $107,100; 3p $120,400; 4p $133,800; 5p $144,550; 6p $155,200; 7p $165,950; 8p $176,650.
  • The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower’s.
  • The program lists a maximum household size of 8.
  • 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?

Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program caps the purchase price as follows: No published maximum; COCLT applies a purchase-price write-down up to $50,000.

  • Eligible property types include Single Family and Condo.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Columbus, Ohio.

  • The program targets specific areas: Hilltop, Franklinton, Linden, Near East Side, Far South, South Side; some homes qualify for tax abatement in Community Investment Areas.

How do you apply?

Applications for Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Homeownership Program go through Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through COCLT orientation class plus HUD-approved homebuyer education; Land Lease Class.

  2. Contact Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Homebuyer Selection Drawing per development; applicants must attend a COCLT orientation, 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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