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Housing Resources

 

  • Ohio Homebuyer Plus

    A specialized tax-advantaged savings account for Ohioans purchasing a home that benefits from an enhanced interest rate. Contributions by the homebuyer may be eligible tax deductions from the contributor's Ohio Income Tax.
    Click here for the website

  • IMPACT Hope Fund

    Rental and utility assistance for households experiencing hardships caused by COVID-19
     
    Click here to find out more

Ohio Treasurer Financial Assistance Programs
 

  • Ohio Homebuyer Plus - A specialized tax-advantaged savings account for Ohioans purchasing a home that benefits from an enhanced interest rate. Contributions by the homebuyer may be eligible tax deductions from the contributor's Ohio Income Tax.
     

  • Agricultural Linked Deposit Program - Interest rate reduction on new or existing operating loans for the agricultural community.
     

  • STABLE Account - Specialized savings and investment accounts for individuals diagnosed with a disability. Eligibility requires disability to be diagnosed when individual is between 0 to 26 years of age. Starting 2026 - age eligibility range extends to 0 to 46 years of age.


Rental Assistance

   

  • Franklin County’s One-Time or Short-Term Assistance – One-time financial assistance to help in emergency situations.

    • Must have at least one minor child (or pregnant and in third trimester or later) living in your household,
    • AND have a gross household income at or below 165% of federal poverty level.
    • Can apply for maximum of $1,500
    • Can request aid for more than one emerging need including:
    • Housing assistance (covering pas due rent or mortgage payments to avoid eviction)
    • Utility aid (except for home heating source utility during months that other aid programs are in operation)
 
 

Utility Assistance

                     
 

  • Percentage of Income Payment Plan Plus (PIPP) – Helps eligible Ohioans manage energy bills year-round by basing consistent payments on percentage of household income.

    • Call (800) 282-0880 to be directed to local PIPP provider
 


Emergency Assistance

   

  • Franklin County Disaster-Related Assistance with PRC – assistance available for eligible individuals who have sustained damage or losses as a result of a state-declared natural disaster or personal disaster (i.e., house fire, flood)

    • For a state-declared natural disaster – and if Franklin County is declared a disaster county and is allocated federal disaster funds – then the Assistance Group must apply for federal disaster benefits at the local agency designated by the state to receive FEMA funding.
 


Emergency Shelter

 

  • Community Shelter Board

    • Experiencing homelessness and/or need shelter?
      Call (614) 274-7000
      (Homeless hotline, open 24/7)
      365 E. Campus View Blvd., Suite 250, Columbus, OH 43235
    • (614) 221-9195  -  (614) 221-9199 (fax)   [email protected]     Monday – Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
 

  • Star House – Social service agency and drop-in center for Central Ohio youth ages 14-24

    • For shelter, call: (614) 274-7000
    • Open every day 10:30 pm – 2:00 pm
 

  •  Huckleberry House – Crisis shelter for teens

    • 24 hour crisis line (614) 294-5553
    • Crisis shelter (614) 294-8097
    • 1421 Hamlet St.
      Columbus, OH 43201
 

  • YMCA

    • Franklin Station
      • (Adult Men and Women)
        524 West Broad St.
        Columbus, Ohio 43215
        614 662-1020
        614 662-1023 FAX                                                                                                          
    • Van Buren Center
      • (Adult Men, Women and Family)
        595 Van Buren Dr.
        Columbus, Ohio 43223
        614 715-2030
        614 221-2842 FAX
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Affordable Housing Assistance

 

  • The Ohio Housing Finance Agency -- offers down payment assistance, career-related interest rate discounts and other loan products to make buying a home or condo easier.

  • Ohio Housing Finance Agency – Down Payment Assistance -- Helps buyers with down payment and closing costs through offering of 30-year fixed rate conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA-RD government loans with wide income and purchase price limits. Designed to help homebuyers with low- and moderate-incomes.

  • OHFA’s “What to Expect Video” - https://youtu.be/XvhtbIpT-94 -- Process overview: This video covers the steps that lead to homeownership when you use the Ohio Housing Finance Agency