Down Payment Assistance

What is Down Payment Assistance?

Down Payment Assistance is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Cincinnati, Ohio.

• Homebase Cincinnati DPA: $14,999 5-year forgivable second for FTHBs within Cincinnati. HUD-approved counseling agency administering CDBG/HOME funds.
• Up to $14,999 in down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers within Cincinnati city limits. 0% interest 5-year forgivable second mortgage administered by Homebase Cincinnati (formerly Working In Neighborhoods/WIN), a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Funded via City of Cincinnati CDBG/HOME pass-through.
• Funding comes from Federal, HUD, HOME, and CDBG.

Do you have to pay it back?

Down Payment Assistance is forgiven after 5 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

• Repayment is triggered by Pro rata recapture if owner sells/refinances/vacates within 5 years.
• The assistance is recorded in 2nd 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?

Down Payment Assistance is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Down Payment Assistance limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Household income at or below 80% Cincinnati MSA AMI: $36,700-$110,700.
• 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?

Down Payment Assistance caps the purchase price at $250,000.

• Eligible property types include Single-family detached, condo, townhouse, 1-4 unit owner-occupied.
• New construction is eligible.
• Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Down Payment Assistance 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?

Down Payment Assistance serves buyers purchasing in Cincinnati, Ohio.

• The program targets specific areas: Cincinnati NRSA neighborhoods.

How do you apply?

Applications for Down Payment Assistance go through the administering agency, 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 Homebase Cincinnati HUD-approved homebuyer education plus one-on-one counseling required.

2. 2

   Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Apply via Homebase Cincinnati, 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.