See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 8, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Upper Arlington, OH (2026)
Upper Arlington is an affluent suburban city in Franklin County, Ohio, nestled within the Columbus metropolitan area and home to approximately 35,743 residents. With a median home price around $568,000, buying here requires significant upfront investment, but several assistance programs can help. Because Upper Arlington 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. Combining state and county programs, eligible buyers could stack substantial assistance toward their Upper Arlington home 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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:
- 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. 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.
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.
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 Upper Arlington. They can walk you through the application.
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.
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.
Step 6: Find a home in Upper Arlington within program guidelines and submit your applications. Work with your lender to coordinate timing of the various assistance programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Upper Arlington?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can purchase?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
Can I use these programs if I earn a high income?+−
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