See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 8, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Delaware, OH (2026)
Delaware is a growing city in central Ohio located about 30 miles north of Columbus, with a population of roughly 45,000 and a median home price around $410,000. While the city does not currently offer its own municipal down payment assistance program, buyers in Delaware can access several strong state-level options through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, including the OHFA Your Choice! program offering 3% to 3.5% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan and the OHFA Grants for Grads program for recent college graduates. The FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program provides grants of $10,000 to $25,000 depending on buyer profile. Habitat for Humanity of Delaware & Union Counties also serves local families earning 30-80% of area median income with affordable homeownership opportunities. By combining state and nonprofit programs, eligible buyers in Delaware can potentially stack significant assistance toward their home purchase.
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 → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- 3%, 4%, or 5% of the purchase price as a grant toward down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 → |
- 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
- Type:
- Government Property Sale Program
- Amount:
- 50% discount off the list price of HUD-owned homes
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Type:
- Government-Guaranteed Mortgage
- Amount:
- 100% financing (no down payment required); loan amount up to appraised value
- First-time only:
- No
- 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 of Delaware & Union Counties Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home sold at fair market value with 0% interest mortgage | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home sold at fair market value with 0% interest mortgage
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income limits for OHFA programs, which vary by household size. Delaware County falls under OHFA's published income guidelines for central Ohio.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. OHFA requires free HUD-approved homebuyer education for all its programs. Contact a HUD-approved counseling agency in central Ohio to enroll.
Step 3: Get pre-approved with an OHFA-approved lender. Visit myohiohome.org to find a participating lender who can walk you through OHFA Your Choice!, Grants for Grads, or Ohio Heroes program options.
Step 4: Explore nonprofit options. Contact Habitat for Humanity of Delaware & Union Counties at 740-363-9950 ext. 231 to learn about their homeownership program for families earning 30-80% of area median income.
Step 5: Find a home within program guidelines. Work with your lender to ensure the property meets any purchase price or property requirements for your chosen programs.
Step 6: Submit your application and close. Your OHFA-approved lender will process the down payment assistance alongside your mortgage. Allow 30-45 days for closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Delaware, OH?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can purchase with assistance?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Are there programs specifically for Delaware, OH residents?+−
Free eligibility check
Buying a home in Delaware? 14 programs could help.
How soon are you looking to buy?