Ohio Department of Development

The Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Housing Trust Fund Discretionary Program creates an opportunity for families at or below 50% of an area’s median income to own homes with a 0% mortgage rate by providing development support and subsidies to Habitat for Humanity affiliates. In 2008, the $200,000 grant leveraged more than $2 million and helped build 20 homes in 15 counties. This grant provided housing for 86 individuals, including 15 female heads of household. Since the inception of the grant in 2004, Habitat for Humanity of Ohio and the participating Habitat affiliates have leveraged over $6.4 million and helped house more than 260 people.

FirstEnergy Grant

The FirstEnergy Grant provides funds to build Habitat houses that are EnergyStar™ certified. Affiliates may receive up to $25,000 per unit to help cover the costs of construction. To be eligible, homes must be built in a service area of FirstEnergy or its affiliates (the Illuminating Company, Toledo Edison, and Ohio Edison). For more information, please contact Habitat for Humanity of Ohio’s executive director Ryan Miller at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Finance Fund PreDevelopment Grant

The Finance Fund PreDevelopment Grant provides funds for housing and economic development projects (such as a ReStore) that target low-income people (defined at 80% of area median income). The grant can be used to pay for “soft costs” of a specific project, including architectural drawings, site plans, legal costs, engineering costs, market studies, real estate options, and zoning/permit fees. The maximum award is $20,000, and grants must be matched at a 20% level by locally generated resources (cash or in-kind). Applicants must be a member of Finance Fund to apply; membership costs range from $100 to $350, depending on budget size. Application submissions are accepted on an open-window basis. For more information, please visit www.financefund.org, or download the application here: http://www.financefund.org/pdfs/FinancialReportingForm%20_PDCC%20HS_.pdf You can also contact Tamra Hall, the Finance Fund's program officer, at 800-959-2333 ext. 17 for more information.

Finance Fund Economic Development Grant

The Finance Fund Economic Development Grant provides nonprofits with funds for projects that improve low-income (defined as 80% of area median income) neighborhood commercial areas through the rehabilitation or construction of industrial, retail, or office space, such as a Habitat ReStore. The maximum award is $100,000, and grants must be matched at a 20% level by locally generated resources (cash or in-kind). Applicants must be a member of Finance Fund to apply; membership costs range from $100 to $350, depending on budget size. Application submissions are accepted on an open-window basis. For more information, please visit www.financefund.org or http://www.financefund.org/pdfs/EDpolicy.pdf

Community Recycling Development Grant

The Community Development program provides funding for the implementation of recycling and litter collection projects. Grants range from $10,000 to $150,000, depending on the project, and grantees are expected to match 50% for recycling-oriented programs and up to 20% for litter collection projects. Sponsorship by a solid waste district or management authority OR an Ohio county or city is required. The grant period is 12 months, beginning July 1 and ending June 30. Applications are made available in November and due in February. For more information, please contact Chet Chaney at 614-265-6407.

Habitat for Humanity International Lumber Program Grant

As part of an agreement to settle a trade dispute between the United States and Canadian governments, Habitat for Humanity was selected to receive $100 million for low-income housing and disaster relief in the United States. Any US affiliate may request reimbursement for qualifying lumber purchases made after August 15, 2007. Note that some changes have been made to the application process since the program began. For more information, please visit http://my.habitat.org/FundingSupport/US_Grants/Resource%20Wiki/Softwood%20Lumber.aspx

Capacity Building Grant

The Capacity Building (CB) Grant is funded through congressional appropriation to help increase the building capacity of US Habitat for Humanity affiliates. CB funds have been used to provide innovative training and technical assistance. In addition, a portion of these funds has also been designated to assist affiliates with the costs of creating new, high-impact staff positions, such as the first Executive Director or Development Director. Both of these positions are an integral part of the continued growth, development, and sustainability of any affiliate. Funding is provided on a diminishing basis over a period of three years so that the affiliate may incrementally assume the cost of the position. For information on how to apply, please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Self-help Homeownership Opportunity Program (SHOP)

SHOP provides funds for eligible national and regional nonprofit organizations and consortia to purchase home sites and develop or improve the infrastructure. An emphasis is placed on sweat equity and volunteer-based homeownership programs that benefit low-income persons and families. SHOP funds may only be used for land acquisition, infrastructure improvements, and administrative costs. To be eligible, applicants must have completed at least 30 self-help units within the last 24 months. For more information, please visit http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/programs/shop/