Director's Message 
Welcome to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) where our mission is to open the doors to an affordable place to call home. As the state's affordable housing leader, OHFA has been responsible for addressing housing needs and challenges that shape programming and policy at the state and national levels, improving foreclosure prevention methods, educating new homebuyers, and allocating federal dollars to develop, preserve and sustain affordable rental units since 1983. OHFA's dedication to affordable housing has led to the creation of more than 87,400 rental housing units and mortgage loans for more than 138,000 homebuyers through the Agency's First-Time Homebuyer Program.
OHFA launched the State of Ohio's foreclosure prevention effort, Restoring Stability: A Save the Dream Ohio Initiative in September 2010 to assist an estimated 53,000 homeowners with financial hardships who have been unable to qualify for existing loan modification and foreclosure prevention programs. Ohio received $570.4 million for Restoring Stability as an extension of the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP), administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008.
In addition to being a leader in the nation's foreclosure prevention efforts, OHFA has also addressed the state's brain drain challenge. Many graduates have left Ohio to pursue careers, buy homes and start families. The Ohio General Assembly enacted legislation to help incentivize recent college graduates to remain in Ohio and receive a benefit from their educational investment. OHFA leveraged its First-Time Homebuyer Program as a framework to help shape the Grants for Grads program which requires applicants to purchase their first home in Ohio after graduation. As a result of this program and other statewide initiatives, Ohio has emerged as a leader in graduate retention.
The Agency continues to play a pivotal role in providing multifamily housing for Ohioans with low-to moderate-incomes. OHFA is also responsible for awarding federal housing tax credits to encourage the development and preservation of affordable rental units throughout the state. More than $23.8 million in housing tax credits were announced earlier this year to provide 1,732 units of affordable housing in 22 counties across the state. Properties receiving awards include senior communities, permanent supportive housing communities, and lease-purchase developments.
By offering affordable mortgage options, education for potential homebuyers, foreclosure prevention methods, and capital to develop, preserve and sustain affordable rental units, we work hard to make homeownership possible for qualifying buyers.
We will continue to introduce innovative programs that address current housing issues and we invite you to contact us if you have questions about our services. You can reach us toll free at 888.362.6432.
Douglas A. Garver
Executive Director
Ohio Housing Finance Agency
