See programs you qualify for
Get Matched Free →By Tyler Thompson · Licensed Real Estate Agent · Updated April 8, 2026
Homebuyer Programs in Youngstown, OH (2026)
Youngstown is a city of about 59,000 residents in Mahoning County in northeastern Ohio, historically known as a steel manufacturing hub. With a median home price around $128,000, Youngstown is one of the most affordable housing markets in the state. The city's At Home in Youngstown program, funded by $5 million in American Rescue Plan Act dollars, provides up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs plus up to $15,000 for energy efficiency upgrades as a forgivable loan. At the state level, the OHFA Your Choice! Down Payment Assistance program offers 3% to 3.5% of the purchase price as a forgivable loan. The Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority also offers an HCV Homeownership Program for voucher holders, and Habitat for Humanity of Mahoning Valley serves the area with affordable homeownership opportunities. By combining local and state programs, Youngstown buyers could potentially access over $25,000 in total assistance.
City Programs in Youngstown
| Program Name | Type | Amount | First-Time Only | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| At Home in Youngstown Homebuyer Assistance | Forgivable Loan | Up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs, plus up to $15,000 for energy efficiency upgrades | No | View → |
| Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority HCV Homeownership Program | Grant | Monthly mortgage payment assistance through Housing Choice Voucher | No | View → |
- Type:
- Forgivable Loan
- Amount:
- Up to $10,000 for down payment and closing costs, plus up to $15,000 for energy efficiency upgrades
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Monthly mortgage payment assistance through Housing Choice Voucher
- First-time only:
- No
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 of Mahoning Valley Homeownership Program | Zero-Interest Loan | Affordable home purchase through partnership building | No | View → |
| Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation Housing Counseling | Grant | Free HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer education | No | View → |
- Type:
- Zero-Interest Loan
- Amount:
- Affordable home purchase through partnership building
- First-time only:
- No
- Type:
- Grant
- Amount:
- Free HUD-approved pre-purchase counseling and homebuyer education
- First-time only:
- No
How to Apply
Step 1: Check your eligibility. Review income requirements for the At Home in Youngstown program and OHFA state programs. The property must be within Youngstown city limits for the city program.
Step 2: Complete homebuyer education. Contact Catholic Charities Regional Agency at 330-744-3320, which administers the required homebuyer education for the At Home in Youngstown program. Alternatively, contact YNDC at (330) 480-0423 for HUD-approved counseling.
Step 3: Contact Catholic Charities Regional Agency. They serve as the primary intake partner for the At Home in Youngstown program and can walk you through the full application process.
Step 4: Get pre-approved for a mortgage. Work with an OHFA-participating lender to explore state programs like Your Choice! DPA, Ohio Heroes, or Grants for Grads. Find participating lenders at myohiohome.org.
Step 5: Find a home within Youngstown city limits. The At Home in Youngstown program requires the property to be located within city boundaries. Your counselor can help identify eligible neighborhoods.
Step 6: Submit your application. Your housing counselor will help compile all required documentation. The At Home in Youngstown program is forgivable after 5 years of owner-occupancy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much down payment assistance can I get in Youngstown?+−
Do I have to be a first-time homebuyer to qualify?+−
What is the maximum home price I can pay?+−
What homebuyer education is required?+−
What energy efficiency upgrades are covered by the At Home in Youngstown program?+−
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