News Releases

OHFA is committed to increasing awareness of our products and services with the media and the public. We regularly release news about new program offerings, Agency initiative, and any changes to our programs. We make every effort to build positive relationships with the press to help get the news to our partners and customers as quickly as possible.

2023 News Releases

9-13-23 – Training Available for Lenders & Realtors on Homebuyer Assistance Programs
In an effort to help Ohioans achieve their dreams of homeownership, OHFA is training lending, real estate, and counseling partners in each of Ohio's 88 counties on OHFA's down payment assistance, career-related interest rate discounts, and other loan products.

9-6-23 – Save the Dream Ohio Winding Down
OHFA has provided more than $197 million in assistance to Ohio homeowners through the Save the Dream Ohio program. The program has helped nearly 29,000 Ohio households avoid foreclosure and/or utility shut offs.

8-18-23 – OHFA Announces New Staff
OHFA announced additions to its leadership team and staff. OHFA is proud to share that Randy Durham, Rishawn Levy, Jannette Patete, Kellen Showes, and Heather White have joined the OHFA team.

7-12-23 – OHFA Publishes the 2023 Ohio Housing Needs Assessment and its FY 2024-2025 Annual Plan
Using a wide range of data, the Ohio Housing Needs Assessment identifies the scale and scope of Ohio's housing challenges. Along with input from a variety of stakeholders, the Ohio Housing Needs Assessment helps OHFA develop its Annual Plan, which highlights the strategic and programmatic priorities on which the Agency will focus over the next two years.

7-6-23 – More Than $180 Million in Assistance Provided to Ohio Homeowners Financially Impacted by the Pandemic
OHFA has provided more than $180 million in assistance to Ohio homeowners through the Save the Dream Ohio program. The program has helped nearly 26,000 Ohio households avoid foreclosure and/or utility shut offs.

6-15-23 – Make Homeownership A Part of Your Future
The path to homeownership can be challenging for Ohioans, especially if they don't know where to start. The Ohio Department of Commerce, the Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI), and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) have launched a radio and social media campaign to connect Ohioans with the resources to guide them through their homeownership journeys.

6-12-23 – OHFA Announces Staff Promotions and New Hires
OHFA announces several new hires and internal staff promotions. OHFA is proud to share that Caitlin Milsted, Michael Hamm and Sufyaan Syed have joined the staff, and Sarina Rodgers-Gossett and Adam A. Rice have been promoted.

5-18-23 – OHFA Awards More Than $29 Million in Tax Credits to Build or Preserve Affordable Housing Across Ohio
OHFA announced projects receiving conditional commitments for the 2023 Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. 29 Ohio developments creating or preserving 1,361 apartments for families, seniors, and individuals at risk for homelessness were awarded more than $29.9 million in 10-year federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits.

4-24-23 – OHFA Makes Impact with Statewide Trainings
In an effort to help Ohioans achieve their dreams of homeownership, OHFA intends to train lending, real estate, and counseling partners in each of Ohio's 88 counties on OHFA's programs and services, such as down payment assistance, career-related interest rate discounts, and other loan products, that can make buying a home or condo easier.

2022 News Releases

12-1-22 – OHFA Partners with Esusu to Help Residents Build Credit Scores
The OHFA Board approved a partnership with Esusu Financial, Inc., the leading financial technology company leveraging rent reporting for credit building to help families living in nine affordable housing developments funded by OHFA build their credit scores.

11-4-22 – Shawn Smith, Executive Director of OHFA, Elected to NCSHA Board of Directors
Shawn Smith, Executive Director of OHFA, was elected to the National Council of State Housing Agencies Board of Directors during the annual conference in Houston. Board officers and directors are nominated from among and voted on by the executive directors of the member state housing finance agencies.

10-19-22 – Ohio Housing Finance Agency Pilot Program to Build Affordable Housing in the City of Zanesville
OHFA's Board approved $1.8 million for a pilot program that will build affordable, single-family homes in the city of Zanesville. The pilot program will build 10 single family homes (1,788 square feet) with an estimated cost of $175,500 per home.

9-22-22 – Ohio Housing Finance Agency Releases Economic Impact Report
OHFA released its Economic Impact Report, which shows the Agency's programs and operations create or sustain 27,128 jobs annually, and generate $432.2 million in annual tax revenue.

9-1-22 – OHFA partners with Move to PROSPER to Improve Economic Mobility for Central Ohio Families
OHFA is providing $75,000 in additional funding to Move to PROSPER to support its Empower 100 initiative, an initiative that improves outcomes for families with low-wage jobs, and their children.

7-29-22 – OHFA Expands Lead Safe Pilot Program to Cleveland with Financial Support from Huntington National Bank
OHFA announced the expansion of the Lead Paint Safe Pilot Loan program, with financing provided by Huntington National Bank. Currently available to residents in the city of Toledo, the program also expanded to include homeowners in the city of Cleveland on July 15, 2022.

6-13-22 – Helping Ohioans Become Homeowners in a Booming Market
The path to homeownership can be challenging for Ohioans, especially if they don't know where to start. The Ohio Department of Commerce and OHFA can help with resources to guide Ohioans through their homeownership journey, and with a heated housing market it's essential to be prepared.

5-20-22 – More Than $31 million in Housing Tax Credits Awarded to Build or Preserve Affordable Housing Across Ohio
This year, 31 Ohio developments creating or preserving 1,554 apartments for families, seniors and individuals at risk for homelessness were awarded more than $31.9 million in 10-year federal housing tax credits.

5-2-22 – $280 Million in Assistance Available for Homeowners Financially Impacted by the Pandemic
OHFA wants to remind Ohio homeowners that help is available if they're facing foreclosure as a result of financial hardship due to the pandemic.

4-22-22 – OHFA Announces Additions to Leadership Team and New Hires
OHFA announced additions to the leadership team, new hires, and internal staff promotions. OHFA is proud to share that Jessica Grimm, Joe Hewitt, Shauna Hooks, and Penny Martin have joined the staff and the promotions of Chelsea Buckwalter, David Foust and Paula Steele.

4-6-22 – Assistance Available for Ohio Homeowners Impacted by COVID-19
The Save the Dream Ohio program helps eligible Ohio homeowners who are facing foreclosure or cannot afford to pay their mortgage, utility bills or other related housing costs as a result of economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

2021 News Releases

6-16-21 – New Policy for Affordable Housing Developments & Executive Director Announcement
OHFA's Board approved a new policy providing financial assistance to affordable housing developments facing construction cost overruns. The Board also named the agency's next Executive Director.

5-19-21 – $31.5 million in Housing Tax Credits Awarded to Build More Affordable Housing Across Ohio
This year, 36 Ohio developments creating or preserving 1,931 apartments for families, seniors and individuals at risk for homelessness were awarded more than $31.5 million in 10-year federal housing tax credits.