See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →Homebuyer Programs in Massillon, OH (2026)
Massillon is a city of about 32,400 residents in Stark County, Ohio, located just west of Canton in the heart of northeast Ohio. With a median home price around $185,000, Massillon is one of the more affordable markets in the region. Buyers here have access to the City of Massillon Down Payment Assistance Program, which provides up to 6-7% of the purchase price toward down payment and closing costs, plus up to $5,000 for code-related repairs. The Stark County Regional Planning Homebuyer Assistance Program adds up to 7% of the purchase price for first-time buyers countywide. Combined with 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), Massillon buyers can stack substantial assistance to cover most or all of their upfront costs.
Top Homebuyer Programs in Massillon
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Massillon Down Payment Assistance Program | Grant | Up to 6-7% of the purchase price toward down payment and closing costs, plus up to $5,000 for minimum code-related repairs | Yes | View → |
| Stark County Regional Planning Homebuyer Assistance Program | Grant | Up to 7% of the purchase price toward down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| 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 → |
| FHLBA Community Partners Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | No | View → |
| FHLBA First Time Homebuyer Product | Forgivable Loan | Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | Yes | View → |
| FHLBA Workforce Housing Plus+ | Forgivable Loan | Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs | 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 → |
| Habitat for Humanity East Central Ohio Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable mortgages with payments capped at no more than 30% of monthly income; homes sold at no profit | No | View → |
| 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:
- Up to 6-7% of the purchase price toward down payment and closing costs, plus up to $5,000 for minimum code-related repairs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Up to 7% of the purchase price toward down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- 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:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $20,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $17,500 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- First-time only:
- Yes
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $15,000 in home purchase assistance for down payment and closing costs
- 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
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable mortgages with payments capped at no more than 30% of monthly income; homes sold at no profit
- First-time only:
- No
- 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
How to Apply
- Step 1:
Check your eligibility. The City of Massillon DPA requires household income at or below 80% of the area median income for Stark County. The Stark County Regional Planning program also has income requirements. Review limits for your household size before applying.
- Step 2:
Complete homebuyer education. OHFA requires completion of a HUD-approved homebuyer education course. Contact a local HUD-approved counseling agency in the Canton-Massillon area for available courses.
- Step 3:
Contact the City of Massillon Housing Department. They administer the city's DPA program providing up to 6-7% of the purchase price. Reach them at (330) 830-1717 or housing@massillonohio.gov at 151 Lincoln Way East, Massillon, OH 44646.
- Step 4:
Contact Stark County Regional Planning. Their Homebuyer Assistance Program provides up to 7% of the purchase price for first-time buyers throughout Stark County.
- Step 5:
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 6:
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 7:
Find a home within Massillon city limits and submit your applications. The property must pass inspection and meet Residential Rehabilitation Standards. Allow extra time for processing multiple assistance sources.