OHFA Down Payment Assistance (Your Choice! DPA) in Franklin County, Ohio
OHFA DPA gives 3% of the purchase price with a conventional loan, or 3.5% with an FHA, VA or USDA-RD loan (forgiven after seven years). In Franklin County the income limit is $111,500 (1-2 persons) and $128,225 (3 or more persons) and the purchase price limit is $618,475 (Purchase price limit, 1-family, non-target), per Ohio Housing Finance Agency's limits table, effective July 1, 2026 (income tables); purchase price table 'as of July 2026'.
Program status, checked November 14, 2026
No pause or out-of-funds notice on the agency's program page
The agency does not publish a funding-status page. Confirm with a participating lender.
Status source. Funding and pauses change without notice; confirm with a participating lender.
OHFA DPA income limits in Franklin County
| Household | Income limit |
|---|---|
| 1-2 persons (non-target area) | $111,500 |
| 3 or more persons (non-target area) | $128,225 |
Targeted areas
| Household | Income limit |
|---|---|
| 1-2 persons (target area) | $133,800 |
| 3 or more persons (target area) | $156,100 |
Higher limits apply to homes in OHFA target areas; OHFA's Target Area Search tells which addresses qualify.
All income of the occupant borrower(s) cannot exceed the limit; limits depend on household size and whether the home is in a target or non-target area (same table for Government, Conventional, MTC).
Source: Ohio Housing Finance Agency limits table. Effective: July 1, 2026 (income tables); purchase price table 'as of July 2026'.
Purchase price limit in Franklin County
| Limit | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price limit, 1-family, non-target (Columbus area) | $618,475 |
| Purchase price limit, 1-family, target (Columbus area) | $755,913 |
OHFA caps the purchase price (not the loan amount); loans must still fit FHA, VA, USDA or conforming limits.
What OHFA DPA gives and the rules
Amount: 3% of the purchase price with a conventional loan, or 3.5% with an FHA, VA or USDA-RD loan
Form: Forgiven after seven years; if the home is sold within seven years all of the assistance must be repaid. Usable for down payment, closing costs or other pre-closing expenses.
- First-time buyer: not required. OHFA defines a first-time buyer as someone with no ownership interest in a primary residence in the last 3 years; the eligibility page also accepts previous homeowners, though some products (such as FTHB Edge) use their own limits.
- Minimum credit score: 640.
- Homebuyer education: Qualified buyers must complete free OHFA homebuyer education (any HUD-approved agency course in Ohio); it is completed after the loan application is submitted.
- Must pair with: An OHFA 30-year fixed first mortgage (conventional, FHA, VA or USDA-RD) through an OHFA-approved lender.
- Minimum credit score 640 for conventional, USDA and VA loans; 650 for FHA.
- Must meet debt-to-income ratios for the loan type.
- Property limited to two acres inside a municipality and five acres outside it unless local code requires more.
- Eligible: existing single-family, conforming condos, duplexes and up to four units; new spec homes one-unit; modular one-unit; manufactured homes.
How to apply
Through an OHFA-approved lender, credit union or mortgage company, or by calling 888.362.6432. Find a participating lender
Check your household
These limits are set by Ohio Housing Finance Agency, not HUD. Franklin County HUD income limits → Franklin County first-time buyer programs →
Frequently asked questions
What is the OHFA DPA income limit in Franklin County?
1-2 persons (non-target area): $111,500; 3 or more persons (non-target area): $128,225. Targeted areas: 1-2 persons (target area): $133,800; 3 or more persons (target area): $156,100. All income of the occupant borrower(s) cannot exceed the limit; limits depend on household size and whether the home is in a target or non-target area (same table for Government, Conventional, MTC). Per Ohio Housing Finance Agency's limits table (July 1, 2026 (income tables); purchase price table 'as of July 2026').
What is the OHFA DPA purchase price limit in Franklin County?
Purchase price limit, 1-family, non-target (Columbus area): $618,475; Purchase price limit, 1-family, target (Columbus area): $755,913. OHFA caps the purchase price (not the loan amount); loans must still fit FHA, VA, USDA or conforming limits. Per Ohio Housing Finance Agency's limits table.
Is OHFA DPA open right now?
No pause or out-of-funds notice on the agency's program page. The agency does not publish a funding-status page. Confirm with a participating lender. Checked November 14, 2026; confirm with a participating lender before you rely on it.
Sources
- Income and Purchase Price Limits PDF (income effective July 1, 2026; price as of July 2026)
- Limits page
- OHFA Down Payment Assistance page
- Am I Eligible page
- Program update (DPA change effective July 1, 2025)
- Ohio Housing Finance Agency
Checked November 14, 2026. Every figure above is copied from the agency documents listed here; we do not compute or estimate limits.
Other counties for OHFA DPA
General information, not lending advice. Program rules, limits and funding change; confirm with Ohio Housing Finance Agency and a participating lender.
Franklin County overview