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City of Cleveland Heights Down Payment Assistance Loan Program

City of Cleveland Heights Down Payment Assistance Loan Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, administered by City of Cleveland Heights Housing Preservation Office (facilitated by Home Repair Resource Center).

Last verified Source: City of Cleveland Heights Housing Preservation Office (facilitated by Home Repair Resource Center)

The program asks for

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved agency; Home Repair Resource Center Home Buyer Education Series (pre-purchase and home-maintenance certificates).
  • Residency: Property must be within the City of Cleveland Heights (city-wide).
  • Buyer must contribute >=3.50% of sales price; complete HUD-approved counseling; obtain a first-mortgage commitment; property must pass code/lead-paint inspection; liquid assets after contribution capped at $5,000 or 6 months PITI. Aggregators cite $30,000 — official city fact-sheet PDF authoritatively says $10,000 (used here). No published min credit score/DTI.
  • A home inside Cleveland Heights city limits

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • New construction
  • Purchases above the $131,000 price cap
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Cleveland Heights

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

Income limit

80% of Cuyahoga County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$105,000
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Cleveland Heights’s homes

  • 61.8% single-family
  • 4.4% townhouse
  • 10.8% 2–4 units
  • 22.9% 5+ units
  • 0.1% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$192,100

Cleveland Heights median home value

91.5%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Cleveland Heights

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD-approved agency; Home Repair Resource Center Home Buyer Education Series (pre-purchase and home-maintenance certificates)..

  2. Contact City of Cleveland Heights Housing Preservation Office (facilitated by Home Repair Resource Center) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through 60-day funding reservation recommended before signing a purchase agreement; allow 30+ days for processing; apply through the buyer's first-mortgage lender., 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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is City of Cleveland Heights Down Payment Assistance Loan Program?

City of Cleveland Heights Down Payment Assistance Loan Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, administered by City of Cleveland Heights Housing Preservation Office (facilitated by Home Repair Resource Center). A HUD HOME-funded, city-wide down payment assistance loan for income-eligible owner-occupant buyers of one- and two-family homes in Cleveland Heights. Provides up to $10,000 (13–17% of sales price on a sliding scale by income) as a 0% deferred second mortgage, repaid in full at resale, transfer, or loss of owner-occupancy. Administered by the City's Housing Preservation Office with applications facilitated by the Home Repair Resource Center. Up to $10,000 assistance. 0% interest. No monthly payments (deferred). Helps low/moderate-income buyers in Cleveland Heights. Funding comes from HUD HOME Investment Partnerships Program (City of Cleveland Heights).

How much assistance does it provide?

City of Cleveland Heights Down Payment Assistance Loan Program offers up to $10,000 in assistance. Award tiers: Sliding scale by income: <=60% AMI up to 17% of sales price; <=70% AMI up to 15%; <=80% AMI up to 13% — each capped at $10,000. Homebuyer contribution: Minimum 3.50% of sales price (gift funds eligible). After contribution, liquid assets may not exceed $5,000 or 6 months PITI, whichever is greater. The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each. Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — City of Cleveland Heights Housing Preservation Office (facilitated by Home Repair Resource Center) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

City of Cleveland Heights Down Payment Assistance Loan Program is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off. Repayment is triggered by Repaid in full immediately upon resale, transfer, or when no longer owner-occupied (no forgiveness schedule; due-on-sale deferred loan). The assistance is recorded in Second position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

City of Cleveland Heights Down Payment Assistance Loan Program is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved agency; Home Repair Resource Center Home Buyer Education Series (pre-purchase and home-maintenance certificates). Residency requirement: Property must be within the City of Cleveland Heights (city-wide). Buyer must contribute >=3.50% of sales price; complete HUD-approved counseling; obtain a first-mortgage commitment; property must pass code/lead-paint inspection; liquid assets after contribution capped at $5,000 or 6 months PITI. Aggregators cite $30,000 — official city fact-sheet PDF authoritatively says $10,000 (used here). No published min credit score/DTI.

What are the income limits?

City of Cleveland Heights Down Payment Assistance Loan Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household gross income at or below HUD guidelines by size: 1 $44,050; 2 $50,350; 3 $56,650; 4 $62,900; 5 $67,950; 6 $73,000 (revised annually). For two-family purchases, potential rental income is added. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;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?

City of Cleveland Heights Down Payment Assistance Loan Program caps the purchase price at $131,000. Eligible property types include Single Family and 2-4 Unit. New construction is not eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

City of Cleveland Heights Down Payment Assistance Loan Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of Cleveland Heights Down Payment Assistance Loan Program go through City of Cleveland Heights Housing Preservation Office (facilitated by Home Repair Resource Center), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through 60-day funding reservation recommended before signing a purchase agreement; allow 30+ days for processing; apply through the buyer's first-mortgage lender. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Program terms are set by City of Cleveland Heights Housing Preservation Office (facilitated by Home Repair Resource Center) and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.