The Columbus Housing Partnership said Friday the Ohio Department of Development has made $1 million available in Ohio Home Rescue Funds to prevent foreclosures in the state.

Loans are available on a first-come-first-served basis through the Columbus Housing Partnership and 11 other nonprofit agencies participating in the Ohio Foreclosure Prevention Initiative. With Ohio reporting the eighth-highest foreclosure rate in the nation for 2006, educating homeowners about preventing foreclosure and helping those that are already in default is a top priority for the state, Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman said at a press conference.

Columbus , Dayton and Cleveland were among the top 20 largest cities in the nation for foreclosures last year.

Columbus ranked 19th on the list with one house in foreclosure for every 45 households. It fared better than Cleveland , which was in 14th place, and Dayton , which was 15th. Cincinnati was 49th among RealtyTrac Inc.'s survey of foreclosure rates in the 100 largest U.S. cities.

The statewide average was one foreclosure for every 59 households, higher than the national average of one foreclosure filing for every 92 households, RealtyTrac data showed.

"Once again, Ohio is leading the way, but not in a good way this time," Coleman said.

Assistance through the Ohio Rescue Fund is available to homeowners whose annual income is less than 65 percent of the area's median income. That averages out to about $42,000 a year for a family of four, the Columbus Housing Partnership said. Those who are deemed eligible for assistance are required to take 10 hours of financial fitness classes to understand how to build credit and create a budget.

But homeowners from all walks of life are eligible for free foreclosure prevention education offered at the Columbus Housing Partnership, the organization's CEO Amy D. Klaben said.

"Foreclosure affects people from all neighborhoods and incomes," she said.

Its hard to say how long the $1 million in funding from the Department of Development will last, Klaben said. Families typically need about $3,000 to help them make up for missed mortgage payments. The funds will probably help about 350 homeowners in Ohio , Klaben said.

Last year, the Columbus Housing Partnership distributed $120,000 in loans helping 62 homeowners escape foreclosure.

Guidelines and information about foreclosure prevention assistance and education are available by calling 1-888-995-4673 or by going to chpcolumbus.org.