First-time homebuyers have another reason to consider purchasing in the Uptown area, thanks to the new “Live Uptown” Down Payment Assistance Program from Uptown Consortium, Inc. (UCI) and The Home Ownership Center of Greater Cincinnati.
Debuted at a press conference hosted by UCI and The Home Ownership Center on Thursday, Oct. 6, the incentivized program offers more than 50 down payment assistance grants, each for $1,500 per buyer, to those purchasing a home in Mt. Auburn, Clifton, Corryville, Avondale or Clifton Heights/University Heights/Fairview Heights (CUF). Homebuyers who have not owned a home in Cincinnati in the last three years are eligible to apply, and must live in the home for five years as an owner-occupant. The grants can be applied to down payments, closing costs and out of pocket costs.
Pictured from left to right: Keith Borders, Union Savings Bank; Roy Hackworth, City of Cincinnati Department of Community & Economic Development; John Smit, Jr., Union Savings Bank; Catherine Walker, Third Federal; Darrick Dansby; Lem Davis, Union Savings Bank; Beth Robinson, Uptown Consortium, Inc.; Joyce Powdrill, Uptown Consortium, Inc.; Rick Williams, Home Ownership Center of Greater Cincinnati; Sonya Rose, Coldwell Banker (listing agent); Mark Dehler, Coldwell Baker (listing agent); Dan Reynolds, Third Federal; Morah Lynch, Cutler Real Estate; Scott Blomer, Huntington Bank; Robert Killins, Greater Cincinnati Foundation; Mark Carrol, US Bank; and Ray Cook, Realtor
Beth Robinson, Uptown Consortium President and CEO, highlighted that the program will encourage individuals who were unable to keep their homes as a result of the housing crisis of 2008 to invest in the Uptown area.
“Uptown Cincinnati is built on partnerships that move the needle. Uptown Consortium is grateful that the Homeownership Center of Greater Cincinnati understands the vast opportunities new residents have to connect with our five established Uptown neighborhoods, as well as the savvy neighbors who live here.”
President and CEO of The Home Ownership Center of Greater Cincinnati Rick Williams noted that home ownership will always be important to neighborhoods. The “Live Uptown” Down Payment Assistance Program connects new home buyers to five historic neighborhoods located near several great Cincinnati institutions that are some of the largest employers in the city.
The “Live Uptown” program is supported by four participating lenders: Huntington Bank, Third Federal Savings and Loan, Union Savings and US Bank.
To learn more information about the “Live Uptown” Down Payment Assistance Program, contact The Home Ownership Center at (513) 961-2800.
“Down Payment assistance is a tremendous help to first-time home buyers taking advantage of Huntington’s Hometown Mortgage in conjunction with the Home Ownership Center of Greater Cincinnati. Just as we’ve seen with Huntington’s program that waives lender closing costs for people buying in select neighborhoods, this new program will go a long way in helping more families realize the dream of homeownership.”
“The number one reason people cite for not buying a home is lack of funds for down payment. We hope that this new program makes homes more affordable but also makes homeownership more accessible for people. We thank the Uptown Consortium’s forward thinking in developing this program for that purpose. ”
“Third Federal’s mission is to help people achieve the American dream of home ownership and financial security. Providing down payment assistance for eligible borrowers is an important step in making that dream a reality.”