See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 8, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Hilliard, OH (2026)
Hilliard is a growing suburb in Franklin County, Ohio, located west of Columbus with a population of about 37,300 and a median home price around $440,000. Buyers in Hilliard benefit from strong county-level programs through Homeport, including the Homeport Down Payment Assistance Program offering up to $6,000 as a forgivable loan for first-time buyers earning below 80% of HUD median income, and the Homeport Growing Homeownership Fund providing up to $15,000 through a 5:1 savings match. The Central Ohio Community Land Trust recently launched its first Hilliard project, offering permanently affordable homeownership for buyers earning up to 120% of area median income. State programs through OHFA add further support, including 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 with grants of $10,000 to $25,000. By combining county, nonprofit, and state programs, eligible Hilliard buyers could stack significant assistance toward their purchase.
County Programs in Franklin County
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Homeport Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to $6,000 ($4,000 for down payment plus $2,000 for closing costs) | Yes | View → |
| Homeport Growing Homeownership Fund | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 or 5% of purchase price, whichever is less | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $6,000 ($4,000 for down payment plus $2,000 for closing costs)
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 or 5% of purchase price, whichever is less
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) Affordable Homeownership | Deferred Loan | Permanently affordable home purchase through community land trust model | No | View → |
| Habitat for Humanity MidOhio Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgage with no-interest or low-interest financing. Home purchase price based on construction costs, significantly below market value. | No | View → |
- Type:
- Deferred Loan
- Amount:
- Permanently affordable home purchase through community land trust model
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Homeport's DPA requires household income below 80% of HUD median income, first-time buyer status, and a minimum of $500 in personal funds. OHFA programs have separate income limits by household size.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Homeport offers HUD-certified housing counseling and requires a certificate at the time of DPA application. Contact Homeport at 614-221-8889 ext 148 to enroll.
Step 3: Apply for Homeport Down Payment Assistance. Contact Homeport at 614-221-8889 ext 148 or dpa@homeportohio.org to apply for up to $6,000 in forgivable assistance. Also ask about the Growing Homeownership Fund for up to $15,000 through a savings match.
Step 4: Explore the Central Ohio Community Land Trust. Contact COCLT at 614-724-5263 or info@coclt.org. COCLT has recently launched a project on Bryant Street in Hilliard, offering permanently affordable homes for income-eligible buyers.
Step 5: Get pre-approved with an OHFA-approved lender. Visit myohiohome.org to find a participating lender for OHFA Your Choice!, Grants for Grads, or Ohio Heroes program options.
Step 6: Find a home and submit your applications. Homeport programs require the property to be in Franklin County outside Columbus city limits, which includes Hilliard. Coordinate with Homeport and your OHFA lender to process all assistance. Allow 30-45 days for closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Hilliard?+−
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?+−
Is the Central Ohio Community Land Trust active in Hilliard?+−
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