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Homebuyer Programs in Gahanna, OH (2026)

Last updated April 8, 2026 | Population: 35,159 | Median home price: $407,000 | Est. closing costs: $8,000 - $12,000

Skyline of Gahanna, OH

Gahanna is a suburban city in northeastern Franklin County, Ohio, situated just east of Columbus with approximately 35,159 residents. With a median home price around $407,000, Gahanna offers a blend of established neighborhoods and newer developments within a top-rated school district. Because Gahanna sits in Franklin County but outside Columbus city limits, buyers can access the Homeport Down Payment Assistance Program offering up to $15,000 in forgivable grants for down payment and closing costs. At the state level, the OHFA Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance program provides 3% to 3.5% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan, and the FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program offers grants of $10,000 to $20,000. Habitat for Humanity-MidOhio also serves the area with affordable homeownership opportunities. By combining county and state programs, eligible Gahanna buyers could stack significant assistance toward their home purchase.

Top Homebuyer Programs in Gahanna

Homeport Down Payment Assistance Program
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $6,000 ($4,000 for down payment plus $2,000 for closing costs)
First-time only:
Yes
Homeport Growing Homeownership Fund
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000 or 5% of purchase price, whichever is less
First-time only:
Yes
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
FHLBA Community Partners Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
No
FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
First-time only:
Yes
FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+
Type:
Forgivable Loan
Amount:
Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
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
Habitat for Humanity MidOhio Homeownership Program
Type:
Zero-Interest Loan
Amount:
Affordable mortgage with no-interest or low-interest financing. Home purchase price based on construction costs, significantly below market value.
First-time only:
No
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

How to Apply

  1. Step 1:

    Check your eligibility. Most programs require household income at or below 80% of the area median income for Franklin County. Review income limits on the OHFA website at myohiohome.org.

  2. Step 2:

    Complete homebuyer education. The Homeport program requires an in-person 8-hour homebuyer education course, which should be started before your home search. Contact Homeport at (614) 545-4663 to register.

  3. Step 3:

    Contact Homeport for Franklin County assistance. Homeport administers the county's down payment assistance program for properties outside Columbus city limits, which includes Gahanna. They can walk you through the application for up to $15,000 in assistance.

  4. Step 4:

    Get pre-approved for a mortgage through an OHFA-approved lender. This ensures you can access state programs like Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance and the Mortgage Tax Credit simultaneously.

  5. Step 5:

    Apply for the FHLB Cincinnati Welcome Home Program through a participating member bank or credit union. Grants of up to $20,000 are available on a first-come, first-served basis each year.

  6. Step 6:

    Find a home in Gahanna within program guidelines and submit your applications. Work with your lender to coordinate timing of the various assistance programs.

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