OHIO LEGISLATIVE SERVICE COMMISSION
Office of Research Legislative Budget
www.lsc.ohio.gov and Drafting Office
S.B. 249 Bill Analysis
135th General Assembly
Click here for S.B. 249’s Fiscal Note
Version: As Introduced
Primary Sponsors: Sens. Reynolds and Craig
Effective date:
Austin C. Strohacker, Attorney
SUMMARY
▪ Establishes the Save the Dream Ohio and the Save the Dream Ohio Utility Assistance
Plus programs to provide grants to qualifying applicants for mortgage, property tax, and
utility bill assistance.
DETAILED ANALYSIS
Save the Dream programs
The bill creates two new programs within the Ohio Housing Finance Agency: the Save
the Dream Ohio program and the Save the Dream Ohio Utility Assistance Plus program. The
programs are to be funded using up to $10 million available to the Agency. Homeowners who
make less than $75,000 per year and are 65 or older, disabled, or a caretaker of an individual
who is disabled are eligible for both programs. Homeowners may apply to both programs but
may not receive more than $3,000 per year in program funds.1
The Save the Dream Ohio program is created to assist homeowners in making
delinquent or future mortgage payments. The purpose of the Utility Assistance Plus program is
to assist homeowners in paying for any of the following: natural gas, electricity, bulk fuel,
water, sewer, trash removal, broadband internet service, property taxes, homeowner’s
insurance, flood insurance, mortgage insurance, homeowners association fees, unit owners
association fees, and any other utility, as determined by the Agency.2
The bill permits the Agency to adopt rules necessary to administer the programs. The
rules must include the form and manner in which applications are to be submitted and criteria
1 R.C. 175.50(B), (C), and (D).
2 R.C. 175.50(A) and (B).
September 5, 2024
Office of Research and Drafting LSC Legislative Budget Office
for determining whether an applicant is disabled or a caretaker of an individual who is
disabled.3
HISTORY
Action Date
Introduced 04-23-24
ansb0249in-135/ks
3 R.C. 175.50(E).
P a g e |2 S.B. 249
As Introduced