Housing Our Future
Property Tax Assistance Programs
New Property Tax Valuation: Full Webinar Recording
Please click the link above to view the full recording of the February 8, 2024 Housing Our Future Webinar: New Property Tax Valuation and Its Impact on Your Taxes. To view the slide deck from the presentation without commentary, click HERE.
Hamilton County Mortgage, Property Tax and Utility Relief Program
Hamilton County wants to help keep families in their homes. There is assistance available for individuals and families from a variety of different programs. Click the link to see if you qualify for any of several mortgage, rent and/or utility programs designed to keep families safe in their homes. You will find help for homeowners, renters, utilities, eveiction prevention, resources for unhoused individuals and families, and more.
Cincinnati | Hamilton County Community Action Agency
Apply online for one-time assistance paying past due property taxes, not be in excess of $10,000. Applicants must meet qualifications. Click the link above for more information.
Hamilton County Board of Revisions
Any owner of property in Hamilton County may contest a property value by filing a complaint with the Hamilton County Board of Revision. Board decisions are based on property values not tax dollars. Click the link above for more information.
Hamilton County Treasurer's Optional Payment (TOP) Program
The Hamilton County Treasurer provides the TREASURER'S OPTIONAL PAYMENT (TOP) PROGRAM, which allows residential and commercial property owners to prepay their real estate taxes in installments. The program is voluntary and allows property owners to prepay each future tax bill in five installments. It is similar to an escrow account with a financial institution. There is no service charge associated with the program. Click the link above for more information.
Hamilton County Homestead Tax Exemption
The Homestead Exemption allows low-income senior citizens and permanently and totally disabled Ohioans to reduce their property tax bills by shielding some of the market value of their homes from taxation. Applications may be filed with the County Auditor on or before December 31 of the current calendar year. Learn about enhanced exemptions for military service veterans and surviving spouses of public service officers. Click the link above for more information.
Appraisal Information
A recent independent fee appraisal is one form of evidence suggested for the Hamilton County Board of Revision process. The National Appraisal Bias Taskforce has members that are licensed appraisers. The find out more and connect with a licensed appraiser, call (513) 813-8446 or visit HERE.
To find the most recent appraisal for your home, please visit www.hamiltoncountyauditor.org and click on "Property Search" to find your property information. To find comparable sales near you, click on the "sales" link on the Property Summary tab under the "Appraisal Area" section.
Legal Assistance and Appraisal Board of Revision Support Program
The Legal Assistance and Appraisal Board of Revision Support Program provides low-income homeowners access to appraisal services and legal assistance that can support a successful Board of Revision challenge. Eligible homeowners will have a household aggregate gross income equal to 60% or less of AMI, as adjusted for family size. Homeowners that have lived in their homes for at least three years will be prioritized. Appraisal services will be provided by National Appraisal Bias Taskforce members. Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati will provide support for completing the Board of Revision application to challenge property value. To find out more information about the program, please contact Legal Aid of Greater Cincinnati at (513) 241-9400. Funding for this pilot program provided by LISC Greater Cincinnati.
Advocacy
Contact your Ohio Senator and Ohio House Representative
Here are ways you can advocate:
Write a letter to your Ohio Senator and Ohio House Representative expressing your views on the issue.
Call the office of your Ohio Senator and Ohio House Representative to talk about the issue.
Participate in the advocacy efforts of associations or coalitions that share your views on the issue.
Local Resources
Fair Housing & Tenant-Landlord Law
HOME distributes various educational materials regarding fair housing, protected classes, tenant-landlord law, fair lending, foreclosure prevention, and more. Click HERE to be taken to resources for Fair Housing and Tenant-Landlord Law.
Hamilton County Municipal Court Help Center: Housing
The Help Center for Hamilton County Municipal Court in Ohio provides people with education, information, and limited legal advice to access our courts. Click the link above for more information.
You can find guides on the linked webpage, or you can visit the Help Center in person in downtown Cincinnati at 1000 Main Street, Room 113.
Housing Rights
Fair housing allows everyone an equal opportunity to live where they choose and to live there without facing illegal discrimination. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, gender/sex, familial status, and disability. See Housing Opportunities Made Equal for more resources.
513 Relief: Housing & Utility Relief
513 Relief is hosted by Hamilton County. If you have experienced hardship, you may qualify for several mortgage, rent and/or utilities programs designed to keep families safe in their homes by helping with rent, mortgage, utilities, and eviction prevention. Click the link above for more information.
Choose Cincy Home Owner/Renter Assistance
Learn more about assistance programs for homeowners and renters provided by the City of Cincinnati and other partners on the ChooseCincy.org website. Find out information on tax abatements, down payment assistance, lead paint abatement, and other assistance services. Click HERE.
Greater Cincinnati Water Works
Greater Cincinnati Water Works provides several options for helping customers avoid disconnection or shut off.
Need Help Paying Your Water Bill? Click HERE
Greater Cincinnati Water Works Assistance Programs: Click HERE
Set Up a Payment Plan: PromisePay
Pay Total Balance Due: Portal.myGCWW.org
Cincinnati Housing Stakeholders
Cincinnati Housing Stakeholders is a visual representation of key actors in Cincinnati's housing ecosystem organized by the roles: Advocacy, Community Stakeholders, Local Government, Financing & Development, Developers, Providers (long-term), Emergency Assistance (short-term), and Housing & Financial Counseling. Click the link above for more information.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Do you need assistance with needs such as food, clothing, furniture, rent, utilities, or beds? We may be able to help. St. Vincent de Paul serves neighbors in Greater Cincinnati through its network of Conferences (groups of volunteers based at a church). Click the link above for more information.
The Community Action Agency - Cincinnati | Hamilton County
The Community Action Agency - Cincinnati | Hamilton County (CAA) is a private, nonprofit organization that offers various services to low-income individuals and families in a holistic approach to help lift them out of poverty. Among the services or programs we offer are job training, housing assistance, heating assistance, entrepreneurial coaching, Head Start and Early Head Start. Click below to find resources:
Emergency Rental Assistance
Property Tax Assistance
Utility Assistance Programs
National Resources
2023 NLIHC Advocates' Guide
Every year, the National Low Income Housing Coalition publishes the Advocates’ Guide to Housing and Community Development Policy to educate advocates of all kinds about the programs and policies that make housing affordable to low-income people across America. Click the link above for more information.