Ohio Housing Trust Fund Special Projects Grant Program

The Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF) Special Projects Grant Program for State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2027 is a state-administered grant initiative under the Ohio Department of Development’s Community Services Division, Office of Housing Support (OHS). Funded through fees collected by county recorders, the OHTF is a critical resource aimed at addressing housing affordability, access, and stability for Ohio residents. A portion of these funds is annually reserved for the Special Projects Grant Program, which specifically supports projects that benefit individuals and households with incomes at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), consistent with the legal framework outlined in Ohio Revised Code 174. This grant supports innovative and unmet housing needs not covered by other OHTF or Development programs. Eligible project categories include housing development and rehabilitation, down payment assistance, homelessness prevention through housing assistance or services, and public education and counseling on housing issues. The fund can also be applied to emergency home repairs, accessibility modifications, training and technical assistance, and operating costs directly related to delivering housing support. However, funds must not be used for unrelated activities, and all costs must align with OHTF-eligible categories. Eligibility for funding requires applicants to be regional or statewide nonprofit organizations incorporated with the Ohio Secretary of State and holding 501(c)(3) status. These entities must demonstrate service to multiple counties or a statewide reach. Additionally, if requesting capital funding, applicants must provide a statement from their CEO confirming the requested OHTF funding will complete the project’s capital stack. All applicants must submit a pre-application, accompanied by documentation including a CEO letter of interest, proof of nonprofit incorporation and tax-exempt status, and a project summary demonstrating how the proposed effort serves households at or below 50% AMI. The submission process begins with the mandatory pre-application, due no later than February 28, 2026. Selected applicants will then be invited to complete a full application through the Community Grants Portal, with a deadline of April 30, 2026. Required elements of the full application include a board resolution authorizing the submission, a detailed budget aligned with eligible activities, letters of match commitment, a project plan with milestones and staff assignments, and documentation of administrative capacity. Matching funds are required on a dollar-for-dollar basis and can include in-kind services. The application will be evaluated on four scoring metrics: Impact (35 points), Program Design (40 points), Administrative Capacity (15 points), and Quality of Application (10 points). Award recommendations will be reviewed by the OHTF Advisory Committee in June 2026, and grants will be approved by the Director of Development. Funded projects will operate under one-year grant agreements beginning January 1, 2028, and concluding February 28, 2029. Grant recipients are required to submit quarterly progress reports, final reports, and a completed Generated Income Form. All awarded funds must be spent before the project end date. Monthly or quarterly reimbursement requests must be substantiated with documentation such as invoices or payroll records. This program is recurring annually. However, projects must demonstrate unique value and avoid duplication with other state funding streams. Emphasis is placed on aligning proposed efforts with Development’s priorities and addressing urgent or unmet housing needs across the state. The program structure encourages collaborative, large-scale solutions, supported by a robust application process and guided by clear metrics for evaluation and accountability.

Provide measurable outcomes and clear documentation; match funds must be committed; ensure regional/statewide scope.