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First Home First Loan (FHFL) Down Payment Assistance Program

County of Summit Department of Community & Economic Development (with Community Building Partnership of Summit County) · Summit County, Ohio

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Assistance

$1,500–$12,000

The maximum the program publishes — not an offer

Income limit

80% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

Price cap

$163,000

Highest purchase price the program allows

Repayment

Deferred

No payments until the home is sold or refinanced

What is First Home First Loan (FHFL) Down Payment Assistance Program?

First Home First Loan (FHFL) Down Payment Assistance Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Summit County, Ohio, administered by County of Summit Department of Community & Economic Development (with Community Building Partnership of Summit County).

  • The County of Summit's First Home First Loan (FHFL) program assists eligible low-to-moderate-income first-time homebuyers residing within Summit County by providing a 3:1 match (up to $12,000) of the buyer's own contribution toward down payment and/or closing costs. Assistance is a 0% interest deferred second-mortgage loan due upon sale, transfer, or when the home stops being the primary residence. Residents buying in Akron, Barberton, or Cuyahoga Falls are ineligible because those cities run their own programs.
  • Up to $12,000 in assistance.
  • 0% interest.
  • Deferred loan (no monthly payments).
  • Covers down payment and/or closing costs.
  • 3:1 match of buyer funds.
  • This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
  • Funding comes from HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HUD).

How much assistance does it provide?

First Home First Loan (FHFL) Down Payment Assistance Program offers between $1,500 and $12,000 in assistance.

  • The program asks buyers to contribute $500.
  • Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — County of Summit Department of Community & Economic Development (with Community Building Partnership of Summit County) determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

First Home First Loan (FHFL) Down Payment Assistance 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 Due upon sale or transfer of the home, or when the home is no longer used as the applicant's primary residence.
  • 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?

First Home First Loan (FHFL) Down Payment Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

The program requires

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Has not owned a home in the last 3 years; single parent/displaced homemaker who only owned with a former spouse; or someone who only owned a principal residence not on a permanent foundation
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No stated minimum score; applicant must provide an initial credit report for applicant and co-applicant and meet lender underwriting
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved certified housing counseling course
  • Residency: Applicant must reside within the County of Summit corporate limits; home purchased must be in Summit County but NOT in Akron, Barberton, or Cuyahoga Falls (those cities run their own programs)
  • Applicant must be a Summit County resident; 3:1 match means buyer contributes minimum $500 (to receive $1,500) up to $4,000 (to receive $12,000). Front-end DTI capped at 31% (PITI) and back-end at 43%. Annual owner-occupancy Occupancy Certificate signed each year. Closing handled by Community Building Partnership of Summit County. income_limit_amount (4-person 80% AMI dollar figure) not stated on page; HUD MSA assumed Akron based on county.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Purchases above the $163,000 price cap
  • Households above 80% of area median income

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?

First Home First Loan (FHFL) Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income must be at or equal to 80% of Area Median Income as published annually by HUD; based on gross income of all household residents over age 18 and 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?

First Home First Loan (FHFL) Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price at $163,000.

  • Eligible property types include Condo, Single Family, and Townhouse.
  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

First Home First Loan (FHFL) Down Payment Assistance Program is a federal program, so it is not limited to Ohio.

How do you apply?

Applications for First Home First Loan (FHFL) Down Payment Assistance Program go through County of Summit Department of Community & Economic Development (with Community Building Partnership of Summit County), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD-approved certified housing counseling course.

  2. Contact County of Summit Department of Community & Economic Development (with Community Building Partnership of Summit County) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through First-come, first-served as funding is available; applications currently open, 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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First Home First Loan (FHFL) Down Payment Assistance Program, explained

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