See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 8, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in North Ridgeville, OH (2026)
North Ridgeville is a fast-growing city in Lorain County, Ohio, located about 25 miles west of Cleveland with a population of about 37,100 and a median home price around $410,000. Buyers in North Ridgeville can access the City of Lorain Down Payment Assistance Program, which explicitly serves North Ridgeville as part of the Lorain County HOME Consortium, offering up to $15,000 as a deferred loan for first-time buyers earning below 80% of area median income. Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity and the Lorain County Habitat for Humanity both serve Lorain County families with affordable homeownership opportunities. 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 local and state programs, eligible North Ridgeville buyers could stack significant assistance toward their purchase.
City Programs in North Ridgeville
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City of Lorain Down Payment Assistance Program | Forgivable Loan | Up to 50% of what the lender requires for down payment, maximum $15,000 | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to 50% of what the lender requires for down payment, maximum $15,000
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Homes sold at no profit with 0% interest mortgages. Minimal down payment and closing costs required. | No | View → |
| Lorain County Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Zero-percent interest mortgages with payments fixed at less than 30% of household income | Yes | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Homes sold at no profit with 0% interest mortgages. Minimal down payment and closing costs required.
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Zero-percent interest mortgages with payments fixed at less than 30% of household income
- First-time only:
- Yes
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. The City of Lorain DPA serving North Ridgeville requires household income at or below 80% of area median income and first-time buyer status. OHFA programs have separate income limits by household size.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. OHFA requires free HUD-approved homebuyer education for all its programs. The Lorain County Community Action Agency at 440-204-3155 offers HUD-approved housing counseling locally.
Step 3: Apply for the City of Lorain Down Payment Assistance Program. This HOME Consortium program serves North Ridgeville residents and offers up to $15,000 as a deferred loan. Contact the City of Lorain Building, Housing, and Planning Department for application details.
Step 4: 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 5: Explore nonprofit options. Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity and Lorain County Habitat for Humanity both serve Lorain County families with affordable homeownership opportunities.
Step 6: Find a home and submit your applications. Coordinate your DPA application with your OHFA lender to process all assistance together. Allow 30-45 days for closing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in North Ridgeville?+−
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?+−
Does North Ridgeville qualify for the Lorain DPA program?+−
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