Wayne County / Wooster CHIP Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program

What is Wayne County / Wooster CHIP Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program?

Wayne County / Wooster CHIP Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program is a deferred second loan for homebuyers in Wooster, Ohio, administered by Wayne Metropolitan Housing Authority for City of Wooster, City of Orrville, and Wayne County CHIP Partnership.

• The Wayne County/Wooster CHIP Partnership offers first-time homebuyers a 0%, deferred second mortgage covering down payment and safety repairs to bring older homes up to code. Partially forgiven over a 5-to-15-year term, with the final 15% repayable only on move-out. Home must be under ~$136,400, outside a floodplain, and require no more than $30,000 in repairs. Secured $1.05M CDBG/HOME for 2026-2027.
• 0% deferred second.
• Covers down payment plus safety repairs.
• Partially forgivable.
• First-time homebuyers.
• This is a federal program, so it is available beyond a single state or city.
• Funding comes from HUD CDBG and HOME via Ohio Department of Development, plus Ohio Housing Trust Fund.

How much assistance does it provide?

Wayne County / Wooster CHIP Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program offers up to $30,000 in assistance.

• The program can be combined with other assistance, subject to the rules of each.
• Amounts are the program's published maximums, not an offer — Wayne Metropolitan Housing Authority for City of Wooster, City of Orrville, and Wayne County CHIP Partnership determines any individual award.

Do you have to pay it back?

Wayne County / Wooster CHIP Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program is forgiven after 15 years, so a buyer who stays that long does not repay it.

• Repayment is triggered by 0% deferred second partially forgiven over 5-to-15-year term; final 15% payable when owner moves out.
• 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?

Wayne County / Wooster CHIP Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program is open to first-time homebuyers and buyers who will live in the home as their primary residence.

What are the income limits?

Wayne County / Wooster CHIP Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program limits household income to 80% of the area median income, which varies by county and household size.

• Wayne County CHIP income limits: 1 $48,900; 2 $55,900; 3 $62,900; 4 $69,850; 5 $75,450; 6 $81,050; 7 $86,650; 8 $92,250.
• 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.

What kind of home can it be used for?

Wayne County / Wooster CHIP Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program caps the purchase price at $136,400.

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

Where does it apply?

Wayne County / Wooster CHIP Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program is a federal program, so it is not limited to Ohio.

How do you apply?

Applications for Wayne County / Wooster CHIP Homeownership Down Payment Assistance Program go through Wayne Metropolitan Housing Authority for City of Wooster, City of Orrville, and Wayne County CHIP Partnership, which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

1. 1

   Take a homebuyer education course

   Required by the program, through HUD-approved 8-hour homebuyer education (in person or online).

2. 2

   Contact Wayne Metropolitan Housing Authority for City of Wooster, City of Orrville, and Wayne County CHIP Partnership to reserve funds

   Funds are reserved through Contact CHIP Administrator; Project Review Committees rank applications; limited funds, and are subject to availability.

3. 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.