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Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) Affordable Homeownership Program

Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) · Cincinnati, Ohio

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What is Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) Affordable Homeownership Program?

Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) Affordable Homeownership Program is down payment assistance for homebuyers in Cincinnati, Ohio, administered by Working In Neighborhoods (WIN).

  • Working In Neighborhoods (WIN), a Cincinnati nonprofit CDC and United Way partner, develops affordable homeownership by rehabbing/building energy-efficient homes and selling them below market to first-time low- to moderate-income buyers. The below-market sale price functions as the assistance, paired with WIN's HUD-certified homebuyer training and coaching. WIN can also connect buyers to partner down-payment or closing-cost grant programs.
  • Below-market, energy-efficient homes for first-time LMI buyers.
  • HUD-certified homebuyer training.
  • Counseling and financial coaching.
  • Connections to partner DPA programs.
  • Funding comes from Nonprofit CDC; United Way of Greater Cincinnati partner, development funding/LISC.

Do you have to pay it back?

Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) Affordable Homeownership Program is down payment assistance and is repaid under the terms set by Working In Neighborhoods (WIN).

  • Forgiveness and repayment terms are set by the program and can change — confirm them on the official program page before applying.

Who qualifies?

Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) Affordable 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
  • A completed homebuyer education course, through WIN HUD-certified homebuyer training (in-person, virtual, self-guided) plus counseling/coaching
  • Residency: Homes built/rehabbed and sold within Cincinnati neighborhoods (South Cumminsville, College Hill)
  • DRAFT (dpa-gap-finder 2026-06-15): pending admin review. Assistance embedded in below-market sale price (classified 'other'); WIN refers buyers to outside DPA rather than administering its own. UNCONFIRMED: income limits/AMI %, sale-price caps, credit score, DTI, citizenship, education hours, application steps.

The program excludes

  • Manufactured homes

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?

Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) Affordable Homeownership Program sets its income limit as follows: Sold to low- to moderate-income first-time buyers; related repair program uses 80% AMI; specific homeownership-program limit not published.

  • 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?

Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) Affordable Homeownership Program caps the purchase price as follows: Sale price set below market by WIN per home; not published.

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

Where does it apply?

Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) Affordable Homeownership Program serves buyers purchasing in Cincinnati, Ohio.

  • The program targets specific areas: Targeted Cincinnati neighborhoods incl. South Cumminsville and College Hill.

How do you apply?

Applications for Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) Affordable Homeownership Program go through Working In Neighborhoods (WIN), which publishes the current terms and the application steps on its own site.

  1. Take a homebuyer education course

    Required by the program, through WIN HUD-certified homebuyer training (in-person, virtual, self-guided) plus counseling/coaching.

  2. Contact Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) to reserve funds

    Funds are reserved with the provider 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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