Clermont County CHIP Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

What is Clermont County CHIP Down Payment Assistance (DPA)?

Clermont County CHIP Down Payment Assistance (DPA) is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Clermont County, Ohio, administered by Clermont County Department of Community & Economic Development.

• Clermont County, a CDBG/HOME entitlement community, offers Down Payment Assistance (DPA) through its Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP) to qualified low-to-moderate-income buyers purchasing single-family homes in the county. DPA is a deferred loan of up to $7,000 or 10% of the purchase price, whichever is less, and may be combined with CHIP rehabilitation assistance as a separate activity. Buyers must complete homebuyer education, contribute at least $500, and keep housing costs at or below 30% of gross monthly income.
• Up to $7,000 or 10% of purchase price (whichever is less).
• 0% interest deferred loan.
• Can be combined with rehab assistance.
• Covers down payment/closing costs.
• This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
• Funding comes from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program, via Ohio Department of Development / HUD.

How much assistance does it provide?

Clermont County CHIP Down Payment Assistance (DPA) offers up to $7,000 in assistance.

• The program asks buyers to contribute $500.
• The program can be combined with CHIP Rehabilitation Deferred Loan.
• Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Clermont County Department of Community & Economic Development determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Clermont County CHIP Down Payment Assistance (DPA) is deferred, so no payments are due until the home is sold, refinanced, or the first mortgage is paid off.

• Repayment is triggered by Deferred loan secured by a mortgage lien; repayment terms governed by HOME affordability period and program guidelines (due on sale/transfer/non-owner-occupancy).
• 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?

Clermont County CHIP Down Payment Assistance (DPA) is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Clermont County CHIP Down Payment Assistance (DPA) limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Low-to-moderate income households not exceeding 80% of area median income (HUD limits, adjusted by household size).
• 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?

Clermont County CHIP Down Payment Assistance (DPA) caps the purchase price at $132,000.

• Eligible property types include Single Family.

Where does it apply?

Clermont County CHIP Down Payment Assistance (DPA) is a federal program, so it is not limited to Ohio.

• The program targets specific areas: CHIP grant cycles may designate target areas for Home Repair/Private Owner Rehab; DPA itself is county-wide.

How do you apply?

Applications for Clermont County CHIP Down Payment Assistance (DPA) go through Clermont County Department of Community & Economic Development, 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 Homebuyer education class required prior to purchase (provider not specified).

2. 2

   Contact Clermont County Department of Community & Economic Development to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Application-based during CHIP grant cycles; funding priority by household income, home priority rating, housing need, and availability of funds, 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.