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Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Canton, Ohio, administered by Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio.

Last verified Source: Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio

The program asks for

  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio (financial literacy, home maintenance, personal development)
  • Residency: Must purchase within service area: Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, Jefferson counties (Tuscarawas not currently processing).
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident
  • A home in Stark County

It doesn’t cover

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 80% of area median income
  • Homes outside Stark County

These are the program's own published rules, not a decision about any individual — the administering agency and a lender determine who actually qualifies.

Income limit

80% of Stark County’s area median income

HUD sets the area median income each year. The limit changes with household size, so a family of five has a higher limit than a single homebuyer.

$90,400
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Stark County’s homes

  • 75.3% single-family
  • 3.6% townhouse
  • 9.2% 2–4 units
  • 9.8% 5+ units
  • 2.2% mobile & other

A tick marks a kind of home the program’s record lists. The agency confirms it for the home you choose.

$186,400

Stark County median home value

71.3%

built before 1980

U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year. More about buying in Stark County

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio (financial literacy, home maintenance, personal development).

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Online application open year-round (apply.habitateco.org); supporting docs due within one month., 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 homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Questions about this program

What is Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program is a first mortgage for homebuyers in Canton, Ohio, administered by Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio. Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio (serving Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, and Jefferson counties) partners with low-to-moderate-income families to build or renovate homes sold to the partner family with an affordable 0% interest mortgage. Qualification rests on need for housing, steady income within guidelines, and willingness to partner via sweat equity. Online application is open year-round (with a $20 fee); Tuscarawas County applications are not currently being processed. Affordable 0% interest first mortgage. Sweat-equity and homeownership education. Financial literacy and home-maintenance training. Mortgage repayments recycled to future homes. Funding comes from Habitat affiliate (donations, recycled mortgage payments, volunteer labor).

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program is a first mortgage and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio. The assistance is recorded in First position. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program is open to homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. A homebuyer education course is required, through Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio (financial literacy, home maintenance, personal development). Residency requirement: Must purchase within service area: Stark, Carroll, Tuscarawas, Harrison, Jefferson counties (Tuscarawas not currently processing). Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.

What are the income limits?

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Annual pre-tax income within guidelines by household size and county. Stark/Carroll 4p $33,000-$90,400; 1p $19,000-$63,280; 6p $44,360-$104,864. Updated annually. 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?

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Where does it apply?

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Canton, Ohio.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Online application open year-round (apply.habitateco.org); supporting docs due within one month. Hey Prescott is not a lender and does not accept applications; this page describes the program so a homebuyer can take it to a lender or housing counselor.

Program terms are set by Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.