Program helps Ohio residents achieve home ownership

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) – With new data revealing the average income needed to purchase a home has nearly doubled in just the last four years, more people are looking for ways to make the American dream attainable. 

A new program from the state treasurer’s office is looking to give those in the market for a new home a little extra help getting there. 

“The Ohio Homebuyer Plus Program is very much intended to help individuals achieve home ownership or achieve homeownership faster or even at all where they may not have been able to in the past,” Dawn Brahma, Chief Sales Officer at Kemba Financial Credit Union said. 

There are nearly 20 institutions across the state that are involved in the Ohio Homebuyer Plus Program. Participants who open an account will have access to above-market interest rates and may also qualify for certain Ohio state income tax deductions. 

Freda Boateng moved to central Ohio from the African country of Ghana in 2018. She made the move with her three young children and as a single mother and immigrant, she tells NBC4 she wants to give them the world – including the best education and a home they can call their own. 

“My goal is getting a home because when I was in Ghana, we had our own home,” Boateng said. “I felt I would do my children good if I also get my own home just like my parents did for me.” 

When this mother opened her homebuyer plus account with Kemba just weeks ago, she also received a $500 match for depositing $500, she is earning 7% interest and will receive $1,500 toward closing costs. 

For more information on the Ohio Homebuyer Plus program, click here.