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City of Cleveland Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Down Payment Assistance Program

CHN Housing Capital (CHN Housing Partners) on behalf of the City of Cleveland · Cleveland, Ohio

Last verified
See what you qualify forOfficial program site →
Assistance

$20,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Repayment

Forgivable

Forgiven after 5 years

What is City of Cleveland Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Down Payment Assistance Program?

City of Cleveland Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Down Payment Assistance Program is a forgivable loan for homebuyers in Cleveland, Ohio, administered by CHN Housing Capital (CHN Housing Partners) on behalf of the City of Cleveland.

  • The City of Cleveland's Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Down Payment Assistance Program provides eligible homebuyers $20,000 toward the purchase of a new-construction or newly renovated home in the Glenville/Circle North target neighborhood. The assistance is a 0% interest deferred second mortgage forgiven after five years of owner-occupancy. Buyers at or below 120% AMI contribute 3% of the purchase price; buyers above 120% AMI contribute 5%. Administered by CHN Housing Capital / Believe Mortgage.
  • $20,000 in down payment assistance.
  • 0% interest.
  • Fully forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy.
  • No monthly payments (deferred second mortgage).
  • Supports purchase of new or newly renovated homes in a revitalizing neighborhood.
  • Funding comes from City of Cleveland Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI).

How much assistance does it provide?

City of Cleveland Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $20,000 in assistance.

  • Buyer contribution: Borrowers at or below 120% AMI contribute 3% of the purchase price; borrowers above 120% AMI contribute 5%.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — CHN Housing Capital (CHN Housing Partners) on behalf of the City of Cleveland determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

City of Cleveland Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Down Payment Assistance Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

  • Repayment is triggered by Loan is forgiven after 5 years of owner-occupancy; if the home is sold, transferred, or ceases to be the borrower's primary residence within 5 years, the outstanding amount becomes due (deferred second mortgage).
  • 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 Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Down Payment Assistance 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
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through CHN Housing Partners or any HUD-certified housing counseling agency
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-12): pending review. Place-based: applies only to new-construction or newly renovated homes in the Glenville/Circle North NTI target area. Buyer contribution tiered to AMI (3% at/below 120% AMI; 5% above). Funding/active status should be re-verified directly with CHN before publishing (no standalone current term sheet located). Unconfirmed (omitted): min credit score, max DTI, max purchase price, exact income-limit dollars, annual funding cap, eligible products, citizenship.

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?

City of Cleveland Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Down Payment Assistance Program sets its income limit as follows: No hard income cap published; buyer contribution is tiered to AMI (3% at/below 120% AMI; 5% above 120% AMI).

  • 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?

City of Cleveland Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Down Payment Assistance Program can be used for Single Family.

  • New construction is eligible.

Where does it apply?

City of Cleveland Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Down Payment Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Cleveland, Ohio.

  • The program targets specific areas: Glenville / Circle North neighborhood (designated NTI target geography in the City of Cleveland).
  • Targeted neighborhoods: Glenville-Circle North.

How do you apply?

Applications for City of Cleveland Mayor's Neighborhood Transformation Initiative (NTI) Down Payment Assistance Program go through CHN Housing Capital (CHN Housing Partners) on behalf of the City of Cleveland, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through CHN Housing Partners or any HUD-certified housing counseling agency.

  2. Contact CHN Housing Capital (CHN Housing Partners) on behalf of the City of Cleveland to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider 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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