Stories of Home

Holiday Preparation and Safety Tips 2024

Posted on December 4, 2024

Happy holidays, Ohio! The holiday season can be busy and we want to provide you with tips to help make sure you have a happy, fun, and safe holiday season. Holidays are a time to celebrate, and we at OHFA encourage you to do it safely.

2024 Ohio Housing Conference Preview

Posted on October 10, 2024

We at OHFA and Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing are gearing up for this year's Ohio Housing Conference at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on November 5–6, 2024. The two-day event will include more than 30 sessions exploring trending topics in the affordable housing industry.

National Preparedness Month Steps

Posted on September 23, 2024

As September winds down we want to take a moment to remind Ohioans that it is National Preparedness Month, which reminds Ohioans to prepare for potential disasters or emergencies. The Ohio Emergency Management Agency's 2024 Ready Campaign provides simple inexpensive or free steps you can start today.

Financial Tips for Buying a Home in Ohio on National Financial Awareness Day

Posted on August 12, 2024

Buying a home is a significant financial decision. In recognition of National Financial Awareness Day, here are some tips to stay financially aware and help you navigate the home-buying process in Ohio.

My Experience with OHFA Trainings

Posted on June 20, 2024

This guest post features a Realtors® overview regarding the changing landscape within the real estate industry and how OHFA's in-person trainings can help!

Tips to Avoid Moving Company Scams

Posted on June 20, 2024

Moving can be one of the most stressful experiences of your life, but the Better Business Bureau is warning everyone to be aware of moving company scams. Following are some tips to prevent you from becoming a victim.

Prepping Your Home for Spring

Posted on April 3, 2024

The arrival of flowers, awakening of trees, and warmer temperatures mean spring is here! Spring is a great time to clean your home from top to bottom inside and outside. When creating your to-do list for this annual ritual, here are some things to consider.

Building Your Credit Score

Posted on March 29, 2024

A strong credit score is important when securing a mortgage loan, so we recently asked Ohio's housing counseling agencies for their top suggestions for individuals wanting to build or improve their credit or FICO® scores.

Women and Homeownership

Posted on March 27, 2024

Single women continue to dominate homeownership nationally despite the financial and societal obstacles that most of them face. As of January 2024, single women own approximately 2.71 million more homes than single men across all 50 states.

OHFA Partners with CONVERGENCE Columbus

Posted on February 27, 2024

During Black History Month, OHFA celebrates its partnership with CONVERGENCE Columbus, a cross-sector collective of community leaders, industry professionals, and practitioners solving challenges to Black and minority homeownership.

Improving Your Financial Wellness

Posted on January 18, 2024

January is Financial Wellness Month and a great time to set yourself up for financial success in 2024. Regardless of the economic environment, The Washington Post columnist Michelle Singletary suggests you can improve your finances by implementing the following tips.

New Builds in Ohio: A Changing & Challenging Housing Landscape

Posted on November 9, 2023

Reports of the housing shortage have been dominant in the public consciousness for the past several years. At OHFA, we are identifying the various causes of this shortage and implementing programs to address it.

Fall Home Preparation

Posted on September 26, 2023

Who knew there were so many chores to prepare your home for fall in Ohio? We've created a list of do-it-yourself (DIY) tips – in no particular order to help you get started this autumn season.

Emergency Plans for National Preparedness Month

Posted on September 18, 2023

September is National Preparedness Month, and the focus of FEMA's 2023 Ready Campaign is preparing older adults for any disaster. Older adults tend to be more vulnerable as they face numerous challenges.

Help with the Heat

Posted on July 28, 2023

The dog days of summer are most certainly here, but there are ways to cool your home without breaking the bank. Energy companies and other experts suggest the following energy-saving tips listed in this blog post.

Licensed Real Estate Agents: Key in Homeownership Month

Posted on June 20, 2023

As we celebrate Homeownership Month, it's the perfect time to highlight the importance of working with a licensed real estate agent to help you navigate the real estate market in Ohio and the many benefits and opportunities that licensed real estate agents bring to make the dream of homeownership a reality.

Financial Literacy

Posted on April 26, 2023

April is National Financial Literacy month and we want to remind Ohioans about the importance of financial literacy and establishing and maintaining healthy financial habits. Good habits over the long-term help improve your credit score, increase your savings, and can help you realize your dream of homeownership.

Prepping a House for Spring: Plan the Work and Work the Plan

Posted on April 24, 2023

Spring cleaning means it's time to clean your house thoroughly from top to bottom inside and outside. Here are some lists to help you throughout the process.

Making an Impact in All 88 Counties

Posted on April 19, 2023

OHFA has an ambitious goal in 2023 – to train lending, real estate, and counseling partners in each of Ohio's 88 counties on how the Agency's programs can help Ohioans achieve their dreams of homeownership.

Women and Homeownership

Posted on March 23, 2023

Women are second only to married couples in the home buying market since the National Association of Realtors started collecting related data in 1981. Single women own approximately 2.64 million more homes than single men across all 50 states.

OHFA Celebrates Its 40th Anniversary

Posted on February 21, 2023

Since its inception, OHFA has assisted 153,324 Ohioans achieve the dream of homeownership through loans, down payment assistance, and Mortgage Tax Credits and provided more than $11 billion in affordable mortgage loans. Learn more interesting facts from our 40 year history.

New Housing Tax Credit Resident Profile Helps Determine Housing Needs in Ohio

Posted on October 26, 2022

The new Housing Tax Credit Resident Profile looks at the demographics of the more than 173,000 residents living in affordable rental units in 2021 that were funded using the federal Housing Tax Credit program. This information will help OHFA and its partners determine where needs are being met and where gaps remain.

Move to PROSPER: Creating Housing Opportunities for Franklin County Families

Posted on June 6, 2022

This three-year pilot was designed to help single mothers with children under the age of 13 in Franklin County improve their quality of life by providing safe, healthy, and affordable rental housing in high resourced neighborhoods.

What is Fair Housing?

Posted on April 13, 2022

April is Fair Housing Month and marks the 54th anniversary of the Fair Housing Act. Discrimination can take on many forms and is not always obvious. Knowing your rights and where to go should you experience discrimination as a renter or homebuyer is important.

Preparing to Buy a Home

Posted on March 21, 2022

In a tough real estate market, it's important to be prepared, especially if you're a first-time homebuyer. How do you prepare? OHFA can help. Here are a few tips to help make the home buying process a bit easier!

The Benefits of a Home Warranty

Posted on February 10, 2022

If you have a home or are thinking about purchasing a home, homeowner insurance is something you have researched and planned to purchase. You may also be considering a home warranty. It's important to understand how a home warranty differs from homeowner insurance and the benefits it provides.

2021 Ohio Housing Conference Wrap Up

Posted on January 28, 2022

The 2021 Ohio Housing Conference, "Moving Forward with New Perspective," was held virtually on December 1st and 2nd. Hosted in collaboration with Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, the two-day event provided more than 20 sessions exploring trending topics in the affordable housing industry, and drew more than 700 attendees.

Broadband Access in New Construction

Posted on September 30, 2021

Broadband infrastructure has been a hot topic over the last two years, particularly as the pandemic underscored just how many people do not have access to high speed internet. The subject aligns with OHFA's work to provide quality, safe, and affordable housing options for Ohioans.

Cleveland's Clark-Fulton Neighborhood Ready for Transformation

Posted on August 24, 2021

The FHAct50 Building Opportunity Fund was designed to build mixed-income neighborhoods by developing affordable housing in areas seeing a rise in market rate housing. In Cleveland, the Clark-Fulton neighborhood will see three new housing developments.

Ohio's Homeowner Assistance Plan

Posted on June 29, 2021

President Biden announced the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, which would provide relief to Americans impacted by COVID. The Homeowners Assistance Plan provides funding for each state and other territories to provide additional relief to those struggling to make payments toward their mortgages and/or other financial obligations related to their home.

Advice and Support for Homeowners Post-Purchase

Posted on May 12, 2021

It's amazing to have a place to call your own. It also means unexpected home repairs and hidden home maintenance costs. Power of Home is a new initiative that aims to help homeowners in many of those areas by giving them the tools to increase homeownership sustainability.

Ohio vs Neighboring States: A Housing Comparison

Posted on May 5, 2021

Knowing how Ohio stacks up against other states provides additional insight into the housing landscape. Compared to similar states, including Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, how does Ohio fare in providing affordable and accessible housing?

Increasing Education Prospects and Earning Potential for LIHTC Property Residents

Posted on March 31, 2021

Researchers found roughly a quarter of all matched adult OHFA tenants had some postsecondary education or training from a public college or technical center in Ohio and that higher education or training was related to higher wages at each level.

Homeownership. Ready When You Are.

Posted on March 3, 2021

Wherever you are in your process, OHFA understands that buying a home can be both an exhilarating and exhausting experience. While there are plenty of questions to get answers to and several homes to see along the way, for eligible homebuyers our homeownership programs can help relieve some of the financial pressure.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Fair Housing

Posted on January 15, 2021

Did you know Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. help lay the foundation for the Fair Housing Act of 1968, which made it illegal to discriminate against anyone looking to rent, buy or access financing for housing nationwide?

Homelessness in Ohio

Posted on December 10, 2020

A new report from the Ohio Human Services Data Warehouse finds the number of Ohioans experiencing homelessness continues to rise. The number of people experiencing homelessness has grown consistently, increasing by 30.8% between 2012 and 2018.

Surviving Domestic Violence while Surviving a Pandemic

Posted on October 21, 2020

When a survivor of domestic violence decides to leave, fear is a natural response. But imagine deciding to leave an abusive environment in the midst of a pandemic. Because many people are not leaving home as often, the danger is more pronounced.

Community Over Isolation: Addiction Recovery in the Age of COVID-19

Posted on September 2, 2020

Addiction recovery is a journey without an arrival date. Every day free from drugs and/or alcohol is a victory. But when a pandemic threatens to upend the recovery journey, what happens?

These Five Charts Show the True Struggle for Black Homeownership

Posted on August 25, 2020

Owning a home is arguably one of the best ways to build equity and intergenerational wealth. For many Black Ohioans, purchasing a home and the wealth-building benefits that come with homeownership are often difficult or out of reach.

Affordable Housing, Race and Impact on Education

Posted on July 15, 2020

Intensely segregated schools are defined as schools with 90-100% non-white student enrollment, or 90-100% white student enrollment and the numbers of these schools has tripled since 1988.

Are You Ready for Homeownership?

Posted on June 24, 2020

While homeownership can be a great tool for building wealth, it also includes expenses like taxes, insurance, utility payments and unexpected repairs. As you begin the homebuying process, make sure you are financially ready.

Going Green: Energy in Housing

Posted on April 22, 2020

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. The impact housing-related issues have on our planet vary: from the effects of construction to the energy sources we use to heat and cool our homes.

A Crisis in Itself: Student Homelessness and Food Insecurity

Posted on March 25, 2020

Ohio's response to the coronavirus pandemic has required schools to shutter temporarily in an effort to halt the spread of the virus. These actions may save lives, but they pose significant challenges for students who rely on their schools for necessities.

Dr. Martin Luther King's Fair Housing Legacy

Posted on January 15, 2020

Every January, we celebrate the life and achievements of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., but were you aware of his tremendous influence on the passage of the Fair Housing Act?

Public Libraries: A Great Equalizer

Posted on October 17, 2019

Lower income households often face barriers to accessing high quality amenities. What's one public institution that defies this logic? Libraries. Due to their rich programming and accessibility, libraries have become an integral part of housing initiatives across the country.

Myth Debunk'd: Who Lives in Affordable Housing?

Posted on September 24, 2019

The current rental market in Ohio is challenging for many, particularly families with low-to-moderate incomes. Over the last decade, median rent across the state increased by 5%, which has led to about a quarter of Ohio families spending more than half their income on housing.

Natural Disasters: A Catalyst for Housing Instability

Posted on August 27, 2019

Extreme weather events can intensify underlying economic stress and inequalities, as lower income households have higher barriers for finding shelter and/or repairing their home.

Trust Fund Gives Homeless Veterans a Place to Call Home

Posted on July 15, 2019

Many Ohio veterans struggle to afford housing. In Ross County, 44% of veteran renter households were rent burdened between 2013 and 2017, higher than the state average (30%), according to data from the American Community Survey.

Homes for the Brave: Veteran Housing in Ohio

Posted on November 6, 2018

According to data from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), over 770,000 veterans are living in Ohio, and approximately nine percent of Ohioans are veterans. As housing prices rise across the state, how are veterans in Ohio coping with these costs?

Property Managers Face Challenges in Preparations for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Posted on October 25, 2018

In 2013, Congress reauthorized the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which is intended to support victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and/or stalking, and to protect them from being denied housing or from losing their affordable housing.

How OHFA Is Addressing Addiction Through Housing

Posted on September 12, 2018

Across the United States, cities and states are noticing increases in addiction and overdose rates. For example, Ohio has one of the highest rates of opioid-related overdose deaths in the country. In 2016 alone, over 3,600 people died of opioid-related overdoses.

Back to School, Back to Basics: How Affordable Housing Helps Children Thrive

Posted on August 21, 2018

Children across the state of Ohio are heading back to school, but where are they laying their heads at night? The Ohio Department of Education found that over 20,000 public school students lacked stable housing at some point during the 2016-2017 school year.

A Place to Belong: How Intergenerational Housing Developments Benefit Residents of All Ages

Posted on July 3, 2018

For Dorothy, Calvin and Marvin, living in a place that fit their needs and that they could truly call home was a blessing. After 11 years, they finally found a perfect place and community at Griot Village in Cleveland.

Gimme Shelter: A New Take on Housing Affordability

Posted on June 20, 2018

Is the rent too high? The question is a common one. How do housing experts answer it? Most scholars and public agencies, including OHFA, consider a renter household paying more than 30 percent of its income toward rent and utilities to be experiencing "housing cost burden."

The Dos and Don'ts of Purchasing Your First Home

Posted on June 6, 2018

Purchasing your first home can be a complicated and intimidating process with massive financial repercussions. By following the five dos and avoiding the five don'ts below, you can find the home of your dreams without a nightmarish homebuying process.

Stories of Home – Housing

Quick Links

News Releases

Publications

Media Kit

Training

Events

Ohio Housing Conference

Request for Proposals

Post Archives

Recent Highlights