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Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program

Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Middletown, Ohio.

Last verified

The program asks for

  • First-time homebuyer — with exceptions: Standard HUD HOME FTHB waivers
  • The home is occupied as a primary residence
  • On credit: 640 minimum FICO recommended
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies serving Butler County, including NHS Hamilton, Working In Neighborhoods, and Cincinnati-area HUD counselors
  • Residency: Property within City of Middletown limits, owner-occupied
  • Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or qualifying permanent resident
  • First-time homebuyer. Property within City of Middletown limits as primary residence. <=80% AMI Cincinnati or Dayton MSA (Butler County straddles both — typically Cincinnati MSA limits used). HUD-approved homebuyer education required. Minimum $1,000 borrower contribution. Property must pass HUD HOME property standards inspection.
  • A home inside Middletown city limits

It doesn’t cover

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

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 Butler 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.

$109,900
Area median income, 4-person household (HUD, 2026)

Where it applies

Middletown’s homes

  • 65.7% single-family
  • 5.7% townhouse
  • 11% 2–4 units
  • 16.4% 5+ units
  • 1.1% mobile & other

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

$164,400

Middletown median home value

73.5%

built before 1980

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

How to apply

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies serving Butler County, including NHS Hamilton, Working In Neighborhoods, and Cincinnati-area HUD counselors.

  2. Contact the administering agency to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved through Apply via City of Middletown Community Development, 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 Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program?

Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Middletown, Ohio. City of Middletown DPA: $10,000 5-year forgivable second mortgage for FTHBs within Middletown city limits. Up to $10,000 in down payment and closing cost assistance for first-time homebuyers purchasing within City of Middletown (Butler County). 0% interest 5-year forgivable second mortgage. City of Middletown CDBG/HOME-funded. Funding comes from Local, City, CDBG, and HOME.

Do you have to pay it back?

Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program is forgiven after 5 years, so a homebuyer 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?

Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and homebuyers who will live in the home as their primary residence. "First-time" has exceptions here: Standard HUD HOME FTHB waivers. On credit, the program states: 640 minimum FICO recommended. A homebuyer education course is required, through HUD-approved housing counseling agencies serving Butler County, including NHS Hamilton, Working In Neighborhoods, and Cincinnati-area HUD counselors. Residency requirement: Property within City of Middletown limits, owner-occupied. Citizenship or immigration status: U.S. citizen or qualifying permanent resident. First-time homebuyer. Property within City of Middletown limits as primary residence. <=80% AMI Cincinnati or Dayton MSA (Butler County straddles both — typically Cincinnati MSA limits used). HUD-approved homebuyer education required. Minimum $1,000 borrower contribution. Property must pass HUD HOME property standards inspection.

What are the income limits?

Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program 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 per HUD HOME limits. The limit applies to total household income, not only the borrower&rsquo;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?

Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price as follows: Per HUD HOME 95% area median sales price for Butler County. Eligible property types include Single-family detached, condo, townhouse, 1-2 unit owner-occupied. New construction is eligible. Manufactured homes are not eligible.

Is there eligibility for specific groups?

Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program 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?

Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program serves homebuyers purchasing in Middletown, Ohio.

How do you apply?

Applications for Homebuyer Down Payment Assistance Program go through the administering agency, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site. Funds are reserved through Apply via City of Middletown Community Development. 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 the administering agency and can change; confirm on the official site before you apply.