See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 8, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Fairborn, OH (2026)
Fairborn is a city of about 34,700 residents in Greene County, Ohio, located just east of Dayton and home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. With a median home price around $220,000, Fairborn offers affordable entry into homeownership in the Dayton metro area. Buyers here can access up to $5,000 in down payment assistance through the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership, which serves Greene County residents at or below 65% of area median income. The Habitat for Humanity of Greater Dayton also serves Greene County with affordable homeownership opportunities featuring mortgage payments capped at 30% of household income. Combined with Ohio state programs like the OHFA Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance (3% to 3.5% of the purchase price, forgiven after seven years) and the FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program (grants of $10,000 to $20,000), Fairborn buyers can stack significant assistance to reduce their out-of-pocket costs.
County Programs in Greene County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Valley Community Action Partnership Down Payment Assistance | Grant | Up to $5,000 | No | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to $5,000
- First-time only:
- No
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 Greater Dayton Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with payments never exceeding 30% of monthly income; homes not sold for profit | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgage with payments never exceeding 30% of monthly income; homes not sold for profit
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Most programs in the Fairborn area require household income at or below 80% of the area median income. The MVCAP down payment assistance program has a stricter threshold of 65% AMI. Review each program's income limits for Greene County before applying.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. OHFA requires completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. The Miami Valley Community Action Partnership offers pre-purchase counseling for Greene County residents and can be reached at housing@mvcap.com or at their Xenia office at 469 Dayton Ave.
Step 3: Contact the Miami Valley Community Action Partnership. MVCAP administers up to $5,000 in down payment assistance for Greene County buyers. Their Greene County office in Xenia can walk you through the application process and connect you with counseling services.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an OHFA-approved lender to access the Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance of 3% to 3.5% of the purchase price. OHFA partners with over 150 lenders statewide.
Step 5: Ask your lender about the FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program. This program provides grants of $10,000 to $20,000 through participating member banks and credit unions. You must contribute at least $500 of your own funds.
Step 6: Find a home within program limits. Confirm the property meets any purchase price limits required by your programs and is located in an eligible area.
Step 7: Submit your applications and close. Your lender and housing counselor can help coordinate the various assistance programs. Allow extra time for processing multiple assistance sources.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Fairborn?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to get assistance in Fairborn?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay using these programs?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Does living near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base qualify me for special programs?+−
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