See programs you qualify for

By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 8, 2026

Homebuyer Programs in Canton, OH (2026)

Population: 69,755 | Median home price: $145,000 | Est. closing costs: $3,000 - $4,500

Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, known as the birthplace of professional football and home to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. With a median home price around $145,000, Canton is one of the most affordable markets in the state. First-time homebuyers can access the City of Canton Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides up to $5,000 as a forgivable loan after 5 years. State programs add significant value: the OHFA Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance offers 3% to 3.5% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan, and the FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program provides grants of $10,000 to $20,000. Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio also serves the Canton area with affordable homeownership opportunities for lower-income families.

City Programs in Canton

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
City of Canton Down Payment Assistance Program	Forgivable Loan	Up to $5,000 toward down payment and closing costs	Yes	View →

City of Canton Down Payment Assistance Program

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: Up to $5,000 toward down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: Yes

County Programs in Stark County

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Stark County Regional Planning Homebuyer Assistance Program	Grant	Up to 7% of the purchase price toward down payment and closing costs	Yes	View →

Stark County Regional Planning Homebuyer Assistance Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Up to 7% of the purchase price toward down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: Yes

State Programs in Ohio

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Communities First Ohio Down Payment Assistance (The Port)	Grant	3%, 4%, or 5% of the purchase price as a grant toward down payment and closing costs	No	View →
FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program	Grant	Grants of $10,000 to $20,000; up to $25,000 for veterans, active-duty military, and surviving spouses	Yes	View →
OHFA Grants for Grads	Forgivable Loan	3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price, plus a discounted mortgage interest rate	Yes	View →
OHFA Mortgage Tax Credit	Tax Credit	Federal tax credit of 40% of annual mortgage interest paid, up to $2,000 per year (with OHFA loan). 15-20% with other lenders.	Yes	View →
OHFA Ohio Heroes	Forgivable Loan	3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price, plus a discounted mortgage interest rate	Yes	View →
OHFA Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance	Forgivable Loan	3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price	Yes	View →

Communities First Ohio Down Payment Assistance (The Port)

Type:: Grant
Amount:: 3%, 4%, or 5% of the purchase price as a grant toward down payment and closing costs
First-time only:: No

FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program

Type:: Grant
Amount:: Grants of $10,000 to $20,000; up to $25,000 for veterans, active-duty military, and surviving spouses
First-time only:: Yes

OHFA Grants for Grads

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: 3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price, plus a discounted mortgage interest rate
First-time only:: Yes

OHFA Mortgage Tax Credit

Type:: Tax Credit
Amount:: Federal tax credit of 40% of annual mortgage interest paid, up to $2,000 per year (with OHFA loan). 15-20% with other lenders.
First-time only:: Yes

OHFA Ohio Heroes

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: 3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price, plus a discounted mortgage interest rate
First-time only:: Yes

OHFA Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance

Type:: Forgivable Loan
Amount:: 3% for Conventional loans or 3.5% for Government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the purchase price
First-time only:: Yes

Federal Programs

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
FHA Loans	Government-Insured Mortgage	Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)	No	View →
Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)	Government Property Sale Program	50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes	Yes	View →
Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment	No	View →
HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment	No	View →
HUD $100 Down Program	FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase	Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.	No	View →
USDA Rural Development Loans	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value	No	View →
VA Loans	Government-Guaranteed Mortgage	No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)	No	View →

FHA Loans

Type:: Government-Insured Mortgage
Amount:: Up to FHA county loan limits ($541,287 floor to $1,249,125 ceiling for single-family in 2026)
First-time only:: No

Good Neighbor Next Door (HUD)

Type:: Government Property Sale Program
Amount:: 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
First-time only:: Yes

Home Possible Mortgage (Freddie Mac)

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
First-time only:: No

HomeReady Mortgage (Fannie Mae)

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: Up to conforming loan limits ($832,750 standard / $1,249,125 high-cost in 2026); 3% minimum down payment
First-time only:: No

HUD $100 Down Program

Type:: FHA-Financed HUD REO Purchase
Amount:: Only $100 down payment required (vs. standard 3.5% FHA down payment). HUD may also pay up to 3% of buyer's closing costs.
First-time only:: No

USDA Rural Development Loans

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
First-time only:: No

VA Loans

Type:: Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
Amount:: No loan limit for veterans with full entitlement (0% down at any price); partial entitlement subject to conforming limits ($832,750 standard in 2026)
First-time only:: No

Nonprofit Programs

Program Name	Type	Amount	First-Time Only	Details
Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program	Zero-Interest Loan	Affordable mortgages with payments capped at no more than 30% of monthly income; homes sold at no profit	No	View →

Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program

Type:: Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:: Affordable mortgages with payments capped at no more than 30% of monthly income; homes sold at no profit
First-time only:: No

Free eligibility check

16 programs available in Canton. See which ones you qualify for.

Free
No credit check
Takes 2 minutes

Are you a first-time homebuyer?

Yes No Not sure

Question 1 of 6

housebuyerguides

How to Apply

Step 1: Check your eligibility. The City of Canton DPA requires first-time homebuyer status and low-to-moderate income (at or below 80% AMI). You must also contribute a minimum of $500 of your own funds.

Step 2: Complete housing counseling. Community Building Partnership is the HUD-certified counseling agency for the Canton area. Contact them at 330-458-0962 or info@communitybuildingpartnership.org for required homebuyer education.

Step 3: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an OHFA-approved lender to explore state programs like Your Choice! DPA or the Welcome Home Program grants. Find participating lenders at myohiohome.org.

Step 4: Apply for city down payment assistance. Contact the City of Canton Department of Community Development or Community Building Partnership to apply for up to $5,000 in forgivable DPA.

Step 5: Find a home within Canton city limits. The home must be within Canton corporate limits for the city DPA. Buyers purchasing outside Canton but in Stark County may qualify for the Stark County Regional Planning Homebuyer Assistance Program (up to 7% of purchase price).

Step 6: Close on your home. Your DPA funds will be structured as a forgivable loan, forgiven after 5 years of continuous owner-occupancy.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much down payment assistance can I get in Canton?+

Canton buyers can combine multiple programs. The City of Canton DPA offers up to $5,000 as a forgivable loan. The OHFA Your Choice! program adds 3% to 3.5% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan. The FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program provides grants of $10,000 to $20,000 (up to $25,000 for veterans). Together, eligible buyers could receive over $25,000 in total assistance.

Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+

The City of Canton DPA and OHFA Your Choice! programs require first-time homebuyer status, which typically means you have not owned a home in the past three years. The FHLB Welcome Home Program is available to all income-eligible buyers regardless of homeownership history. Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio does not require first-time buyer status.

What is the maximum home price I can purchase with assistance in Canton?+

The City of Canton DPA does not publish a specific purchase price limit, but the program targets low-to-moderate income buyers. OHFA programs have county-specific purchase price limits. Contact Community Building Partnership at 330-458-0962 for current details.

What homebuyer education is required?+

The City of Canton DPA requires HUD-certified housing counseling. Community Building Partnership at 330-458-0962 offers free pre-purchase counseling, homebuyer education workshops, and post-purchase support for Stark County residents.

Are there programs for buyers outside Canton city limits?+

Yes. The Stark County Regional Planning Commission offers a Homebuyer Assistance Program providing up to 7% of the purchase price for first-time buyers purchasing in Stark County outside of Canton and Massillon city limits. State and federal programs like OHFA and the Welcome Home Program are available regardless of location within the county.