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Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton Homeownership Program

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton · Dayton, Ohio

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Income limit

60% AMI

Of area median income; varies by county and household size

What is Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton Homeownership Program?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Dayton, Ohio, administered by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton.

  • Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton partners with families earning 30-60% of area median income to build and buy simple, decent, affordable homes with an affordable mortgage (payment never exceeds 30% of monthly income, 0% interest). Each adult household member completes 275 hours of sweat equity plus required home-buying classes. The full Partner Family Program takes an average of 2-3 years.
  • Affordable 0% interest mortgage with payment capped at 30% of income.
  • No traditional down payment.
  • Homebuyer education and credit counseling.
  • Sweat-equity homeownership.
  • Funding comes from Affordable mortgage revolving fund, donations, City of Dayton, City of Kettering, City of Fairborn, City of Springfield, State of Ohio Development funds, FHLB Cincinnati.

Do you have to pay it back?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton.

  • 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.

Who qualifies?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton Homeownership 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 — the program sets its own definition
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: No minimum credit score; credit report reviewed. Bad credit does not necessarily disqualify but credit counseling may be required
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton (home buying classes); credit counseling if required
  • Residency: Serves Clark, Greene, and Montgomery counties (Dayton metro)
  • Requires 275 sweat-equity hours per adult in household. DTI may not exceed 43%. Need-based eligibility. Program was paused to new applicants Aug 2025 with callback list reopening spring 2026; apply page now states the affiliate is pre-qualifying families (active). County-specific income guideline PDFs published. Lien position, forgiveness years, exact income dollar limits, and max purchase price not published online (gaps).

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes
  • Households above 60% 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?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton Homeownership Program limits household income to 60% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

  • Household income must be between 30% and 60% of the Dayton-area median income (HUD, Clark/Greene/Montgomery counties), adjusted for family 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?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton Homeownership Program can be used for Single Family.

  • New construction is eligible.
  • Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton Homeownership Program names buyers with disabilities 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?

Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Dayton, Ohio.

How do you apply?

Applications for Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton Homeownership Program go through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton (home buying classes); credit counseling if required.

  2. Contact Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Online pre-qualification form; staff responds within 72 hours; then full application & selection, 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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