Ohio program
Ohio Heroes
Ohio ยท Ohio Housing Finance Agency
Quick answer
What this program appears to offer
Borrowers can choose 3% for conventional loans or 3.5% for government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the home's purchase price in optional down payment assistance.
Multiple assistance options
Multiple assistance options
Standard first-mortgage repayment applies to the Ohio Heroes discounted-rate loan. If optional OHFA Down Payment Assistance is included, that assistance is forgiven after seven years; if you sell your home within seven years, you must repay all of the assistance provided.
Unknown
Who qualifies
Veterans, Active-duty military, Law enforcement officers, Firefighters, Emergency medical technicians (EMTs), Paramedics, Physicians, Nurse practitioners, Registered nurses, Licensed practical nurses, State tested nurse aides, Teachers, School administrators, School counselors
What support you get
Borrowers can choose 3% for conventional loans or 3.5% for government loans (FHA, VA, USDA) of the home's purchase price in optional down payment assistance.
Do you repay it?
Standard first-mortgage repayment applies to the Ohio Heroes discounted-rate loan. If optional OHFA Down Payment Assistance is included, that assistance is forgiven after seven years; if you sell your home within seven years, you must repay all of the assistance provided.
How to apply
Apply through an OHFA-approved lender.
Official source evidence
OHFA says Ohio Heroes rewards Ohio residents who serve the public with a discounted mortgage interest rate. The Ohio Heroes page says borrowers can choose to include down payment assistance in the loan, and OHFA's June 25, 2025 program update says that effective with reservations on or after July 1, 2025, down payment assistance is 3% for conventional loans and 3.5% for government loans.
Official documents
Last verified
2026-04-13
Effective July 1, 2025