The Hamilton County Home Improvement Program (HIP) is a low interest loan program offered in partnership with North Side Bank.

HIP is not an income qualified program. Property owners must be current in their property taxes and properties must be assessed at less than $350,000 by the County Auditor to be eligible. Northside Bank has typically home equity loan requirements around income, equity and credit scores.

VISIT – https://www.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/community/home_improvement_program_hip.php

Contact North Side Bank – (513) 542-7800 (ask for Jeremy, Tiffany, or Ciara). They will take the application for you. – (513) 542-7800

The Hamilton County Landbank’s Sedamsville Home Repair Program offers funding for resident homeowners to make repairs to address exterior code violations and critical repairs.

Who is Eligible:

• Current on real estate taxes or currently in a payment plan
• Income at or below 80% AMI
• Applicant must be a homeowner living in the subject property for 10+ years

Available Funding:

• Accepting applications until funds are expended
• No repayment needed!
• Up to $15,000 available per household

How to Apply:

VISIT – https://mcusercontent.com/f4f245d58ee2e6510be5dc555/files/644de591-b7b2-87be-3708-c8d4f06f2289/HCLRC_Home_Repair_Program_Application_Sedamsville_2026.pdf?mc_cid=43addfa9c9&mc_eid=f6bf20cefa

EMAIL – homerepair@cincinnatiport.org

CALL – (513) 621-3000

Hamilton County Public Health was awarded $2 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the Lead Hazard Reduction Grant Program. Funding is available to reduce lead paint hazards in homes built before 1978 and address healthy housing issues such as ventilation and moisture control. This program is available for low-income families who have a child under the age of 6 years old, a pregnant woman, or where a child under 6 years old spends time. There are no fees or out of pocket expenses in most cases to participate in this program.

Eligibility

Open to residents of Hamilton County, excluding residents of the cities of Cincinnati, Norwood, and Springdale. Households must:

• Include a child under the age of 6, a pregnant woman, or a child under the age of 6 regularly visits
• Reside in a single family or multi-family property with four units or less (at least one bedroom per unit) that was built before 1978
• Have an income at or below 80% of the area median income (AMI)
• Be current on payments for property taxes and mortgage payments (if applicable)
• Have connected and functional utilities, including water and electricity

VISIT – https://hamiltoncountyhealth.org/services/lead/

CALL – (513) 421-LEAD (5323)

EMAIL – HCPH.LeadHazardReduction@hamilton-co.org

HEAP: The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that provides eligible Ohioans assistance with their home energy bills. This one-time benefit is applied directly to the customer’s utility bill or bulk fuel bill.

PIPP: The Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP) helps eligible Ohioans manage their energy bills year round. Payments are based on a percentage of household income and are consistent year-round.

EPP: The Electric Partnership Program (EPP) helps eligible Ohioans reduce their electricity usage in their home. The EPP provider performs in-home audits and installs appropriate electric energy efficiency measures to reduce electric usage. Participants also receive information on how they can reduce their electric use and improve their home’s efficiency.

HEAP Winter Crisis: The Home Energy Assistance Winter Crisis Program (HEAP Winter Crisis Program) helps income eligible Ohioans that are threatened with disconnection, have been disconnected, need to establish new service, need to pay to transfer service, or have 25% (or less) supply of bulk fuel in their tank maintain their utility service.

HEAP Summer Crisis: The Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program provides a one-time benefit to eligible Ohioans with cooling assistance during the summer months. The program runs from July 1 to Sept. 30. The focus of the Summer Crisis Program is to provide assistance with electric utility bills, central air conditioning repairs, and air conditioning unit and/or fan purchases. Households with a household member who is either 60 years of age and older, has a certified medical condition, and households who have a disconnect notice, have been shut off, or are trying to establish new electric service may be eligible for assistance.

VISIT – https://jfs.ohio.gov/public-assistance/energy-and-community-assistance/apply-for-ohio-energy-assistance-programs

Winter brings colder weather, which can bring higher energy bills. To help prepare customers for higher energy prices this year, Duke Energy has created a comprehensive Winter Bill Fact Sheet. It explains why energy bills are increasing, includes helpful energy-saving tips and lists a wide variety of programs that are available to assist customers that are in need.

VISIT – http://www.duke-energy.com/winterbills

INFO – Winter Bill Fact Sheet

Greater Cincinnati Water Works is announcing a new, quick and easy way to set up payment plans for past due charges on water and utility bills! Customers can access PromisePay to enroll by mobile phone or computer. PromisePay offers automatic payments (via e-check, credit/debit, and cash apps such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Venmo) and text reminders. Customers will not be charged transaction fees for this service.

VISIT – https://gcww.promise-pay.com/

INFO – Promise Pay Flyer (Español)

Metropolitan Sewer District of Great Cincinnati offers a Customer Assistance Program (CAP) to help low-income senior citizens pay their sewer bills.
Eligible applicants receive a 25% discount on their monthly sewer bill (including both the minimum base charge and the commodity charge). The estimated savings is $120 or more per year.

Eligibility

A sewer discount can only be offered to low-income seniors who meet specific eligibility requirements related to age, income, and home ownership. The eligibility requirements for the CAP are:

• 65 years of age or older
• Own and live in the residence for which they are paying the MSD sewer bill
• Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) of no more than $34,600 for tax year 2021. MAGI is Ohio Adjusted Gross Income plus any business income that has been deducted in computing the Ohio Adjusted Gross Income (OAGI). This applies to the combined income of the applicant and their spouse.

APPLY – MSD Customer Assistance Program Application.

VISIT – https://msdgc.org/programs/customer-assistance-program-cap/

CALL – (513) 244-1300

The Help Center for Hamilton County Municipal Court in Ohio provides people with education, information, and limited legal advice. You can visit their website, call the number below, or you can visit in person located in room 113 of the Hamilton County Courthouse at 1000 Main Street.

VISIT – https://cincyhelpcenter.org/

CALL – (513) 946-5650

The Hamilton County Law Library provides legal research, reference, and library services to Hamilton County and to the municipal corporations, townships, and courts within the county. The Law Library is open to the public for self-help during its regular business hours. The information provided is not a substitute for legal advice from a licensed attorney. For legal assistance, consider the following organizations listed on the Law Library’s website.

VISIT – https://lawlibrary.hamiltoncountyohio.gov/

CALL – (513) 946-5300

HOME’s mission is to eliminate unlawful discrimination in housing in the Greater Cincinnati area. HOME advocates and enforces housing regulations for all protected classes and promotes stable, integrated communities. They provide tenant advocacy and ensure fair housing compliance.

CONTACT – https://www.homecincy.org/contact

CALL – (513) 721-4663

Legal Aid represents low income people in evictions cases in seven counties in Southwest Ohio. Tenants needing assistance should call their main number (513) 241-9400 and ask for “housing intake.” Tenants who have court papers should call our intake line as soon as they are served. Tenants who do not yet have eviction court papers, but who need rental assistance due to COVID or other reasons, should first contact one of our community partners to apply for rental assistance.

VISIT – https://lascinti.org/what-we-do/practice-groups/housing/ – Housing & consumer information

CALL – (513) 241-9400 (ask for “housing intake”)

Hamilton County Commissioners approved a $3 million expansion of the Shelter Diversion Program, which provides critical support to families who are at immediate risk of being homeless. Using American Rescue Plan funds, Commissioners are building upon their commitment to support the recovery of Hamilton County families from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The county is contracting with Strategies to End Homelessness, which will coordinate the expansion with partners including Bethany House, the Freestore Foodbank, Talbert House, and Found House Interfaith Housing Network.

Are you looking for homeless shelters near you? We’re here to help. First, call our CAP Line at (513) 381-SAFE (7233). The Central Access Point (CAP) is a centralized intake system for families and individuals who are currently experiencing homelessness or who are at risk of becoming homeless. Begin your journey, from shelter, to hope and stability. If you are currently homeless or experiencing a housing crisis, please call. Our Intake Specialists will gather information about your situation and help place you in a shelter or provide a referral to a partner agency for help.

VISIT – https://www.strategiestoendhomelessness.org/get-help/

EMAIL – info@end-homelessness.org

CALL – (513) 381-SAFE (7233), Central Access Point (CAP Line)

HER Cincinnati’s mission is to empower women to break the cycles of poverty, addiction, and human trafficking. We envision a community where all women have the skills and the confidence to thrive. Our program efforts are focused in three areas: Housing, Education, and Recovery Services.

VISIT – https://hercincinnati.org/