Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Columbus, Ohio, administered by Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio. Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio's homeownership program helps first-time homebuyers at 30-60% AMI become homeowners through a 12-18 month process that includes 200-250 hours of sweat equity, required financial and home-maintenance classes, and purchase of a Habitat-built home with an affordable 0% interest mortgage. A Veterans Build track offers additional mortgage discounts based on years of active service. Affordable 0% interest mortgage. No traditional down payment. Homebuyer education. Sweat-equity homeownership. Veterans receive mortgage discounts. Funding comes from Donations, corporate/foundation sponsors, City of Columbus, City of Newark, Affordable Housing Trust, Ohio Housing Trust Fund.

Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio. Repayment is triggered by Due on sale or transfer. Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time homebuyer" usually means not having owned a home in the last three years, but the program sets its own definition. On credit, the program states: No minimum credit score; satisfactory credit required. No open liens or judgments; no more than $1,000 in collections; bankruptcy discharged at least 2 years; current on all utilities for at least 3 months. A homebuyer education course is required, through Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio (financial and home maintenance classes). Residency requirement: Serves central Ohio (Franklin County / Columbus area; also serves Newark/Licking County). Requires 200-250 hours of sweat equity over 12-18 months. Need-based: current housing must be inadequate/unsafe/unaffordable or subsidized. Interest forms periodically open/close; intake line and email remain open. Veterans Build sub-program offers added mortgage discounts. Lien position, repayment trigger detail, forgiveness terms, max purchase price, and DTI not published online (gaps). Income table reflects 2024 HUD guidelines.

Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program limits household income to 60% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size. Household income must be 30-60% of AMI by household size (2024 HUD income guidelines). Max by size: 1 $43,440; 2 $49,620; 3 $55,800; 4 $61,980; 5 $66,960; 6 $71,940; 7 $76,860; 8 $81,840. 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.

Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program names veterans, active-duty service members, and reservists and National Guard members 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.

Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Columbus, Ohio. The program targets specific areas: Neighborhood Revitalization areas in central Ohio including the Devon Triangle (Columbus); also Newark.

Applications for Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Application by mail/drop-box; interest forms periodically open and close. 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.