See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 8, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Fairfield, OH (2026)
Fairfield is a city of about 44,400 residents in Butler County, Ohio, located in the greater Cincinnati metropolitan area with a median home price around $277,000. Buyers in Fairfield benefit from both county-level and state-level assistance programs. The Butler County HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance program, administered by Neighborhood Housing Services of Hamilton, offers up to 6% of the purchase price or $10,000 (whichever is greater) as a non-repayable grant for first-time buyers earning below 80% of area median income. State programs through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency include the OHFA Your Choice! program offering 3% to 3.5% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan and the FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program providing grants of $10,000 to $25,000. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati also serves Butler County families. By combining county and state programs, eligible Fairfield buyers could stack over $20,000 in total assistance.
County Programs in Butler County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butler County HOME Consortium Down Payment Assistance | Grant | Up to 6% of purchase price or $10,000, whichever is greater | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 6% of purchase price or $10,000, whichever is greater
- 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 → |
- 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 Cincinnati Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Homes sold at no profit with affordable mortgages. Monthly payments not to exceed 30% of household income including taxes and insurance. | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Homes sold at no profit with affordable mortgages. Monthly payments not to exceed 30% of household income including taxes and insurance.
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The Butler County HOME Consortium DPA requires household income below 80% of area median income. OHFA programs have their own income limits that vary by household size.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. OHFA programs require free HUD-approved homebuyer education. Neighborhood Housing Services of Hamilton also offers homebuyer education courses and can be reached at 513-737-9301.
Step 3: Contact Neighborhood Housing Services of Hamilton. Call 513-737-9301 or 800-525-5420 to apply for the Butler County DOWN Payment Assistance program offering up to $10,000 as a grant.
Step 4: 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 5: Explore nonprofit options. Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati serves Butler County families earning 30-80% of area median income with affordable homeownership opportunities.
Step 6: Find a home and submit your applications. Work with your lender and Neighborhood Housing Services to coordinate both county and state assistance. Allow 30-45 days for closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Fairfield, 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?+−
What income limits apply for Fairfield programs?+−
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