Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program

What is Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program?

Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program is a grant for homebuyers in Statewide, Ohio.

• Communities First DPA: 3-5% true grant for down payment and closing costs, statewide Ohio, NO first-time-homebuyer requirement, 620 FICO. Workforce housing program issued by The Port of Greater Cincinnati.
• Communities First DPA provides 3% to 5% of the first mortgage amount as a true GRANT (no repayment, no lien) toward down payment and closing costs. Available statewide in Ohio. NO first-time homebuyer requirement — workforce housing focus. Administered by The Port (Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority) acting as Ohio's statewide HFA-equivalent issuer for this DPA.
• Funding comes from State, HFA, Bond, and TBA.

How much assistance does it provide?

Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program provides assistance worth 5% of the purchase price, as set by the program.

• Buyer contribution: No required minimum borrower contribution; lender overlays may apply.
• Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — the administering agency determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program is structured as a grant, so it is not repaid.

• Repayment is triggered by None — true grant, no lien, no repayment.
• The assistance is recorded in Grant (no lien) position.
• Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program is open to buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 140% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Income limits vary by county; typical range $78,200-$113,160 (~140% AMI).
• 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?

Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price as follows: Per first-mortgage product loan limits (no Communities First-specific cap).

• Eligible property types include Single-family detached, condo, townhouse, PUD, 1-2 unit owner-occupied.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program names veterans, active-duty service members, reservists and National Guard members, and surviving spouses among the groups it serves.

• Being named here means the program mentions the group, not that membership alone qualifies an applicant — the rest of the eligibility rules still apply.

Where does it apply?

Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program serves buyers purchasing in Statewide, Ohio.

How do you apply?

Applications for Communities First - Down Payment Assistance Program go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Communities First-approved lender reserves grant via program portal at time of loan reservation, and are subject to availability.

2. 2

   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.