News Release 
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, May 10, 2012 |
Media Contact: Arlyne Alston Email: aalston@ohiohome.org Phone: 614.387.2863 |
Report Assesses Current and Future Affordable Housing Needs in Ohio's Appalachian Region
COLUMBUS – A study funded by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) and the Ohio Department of Development to assess and provide recommendations for increasing the availability of affordable housing in the Appalachian region of Ohio has been released. The analysis, titled Affordable Housing Market Study of 32 Appalachian Ohio Counties, was conducted by Vogt Santer Insights, a national real estate research firm, under the direction of the Ohio CDC Association in partnership with Ohio University's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs.
OHFA awarded $160,000 to the Ohio CDC Association, a statewide trade association of nonprofit community development corporations, to conduct an affordable housing needs assessment of the Appalachian region of the state. The study is part of a multifaceted research project. The remaining funds will be used to further affordable housing research in thirty two Appalachian counties of Ohio which encompass more than 16,000 square miles and contain nearly 20 percent of Ohio's population. According to the study, the region's economy, topography and population have caused most of the region to historically experience difficulties in maintaining an adequate supply of modern, quality, affordable housing opportunities for low- to moderate-income households.
"OHFA strives to provide all Ohioans with access to affordable housing opportunities," said OHFA Executive Director Doug Garver. "This report has provided OHFA with the information and tools necessary to strategize effective avenues to increasing the availability of affordable housing in the Appalachian region of the state."
The multi-phase study assessed the current and anticipated housing needs of Ohio's Appalachian counties. Focusing on multifamily rental housing and low-income home ownership, the assessment included an analysis of the region's housing market, focus group meetings with key stakeholders, and an analysis of regulations and programs impacting the region. Key findings include:
- The majority of the 32 Appalachian Ohio counties are projected to experience less population and household growth over the next five years than the state of Ohio as a whole.
- With the exception of Athens County, which has a large student population at Ohio University, the remaining 31 counties in Appalachian Ohio have lower shares of renter-occupied housing than the state of Ohio.
- All 32 counties have lower shares of senior renter households than the state of Ohio as a whole. However, over the next five years, the region is projected to experience a higher increase (10 percent) in senior renter households than the state of Ohio.
- The region has generally experienced a more severe adverse economic impact during the past few years with a higher unemployment rate compared to more developed areas of the state.
- The demand for affordable, government-subsidized conventional rental housing appears to be relatively strong in the region with occupancy rates of 98 percent or higher in 28 counties.
"This extensive analysis provides a tool to help affordable housing professionals meet the challenges and demand in Appalachia," said Ohio CDC Association Executive Director Nate Coffman. "The data is part of a larger multi-phase effort of the Appalachian Housing Initiative working to identify and overcome the barriers to quality, affordable housing in Appalachian Ohio."
Visit www.ohiohome.org to read the study in its entirety. Members of the media may also contact Vogt Santer Insights or the Ohio CDC Association.
- Vogt Santer Insights – Chip Santer, Partner, or Andrew Mazak, Vice President, (614) 224-4300
- Ohio CDC Association – Nate Coffman, Executive Director, (614) 461-6392 ext. 207 or ncoffman@ohiocdc.org
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About the Ohio Housing Finance Agency
OHFA is a self-supporting quasi-public agency governed by an eleven member board. The Agency uses federal and state resources to provide housing opportunities for families and individuals through programs designed to develop, preserve and sustain affordable housing throughout the state of Ohio. OHFA is also an active partner in the interagency team which coordinates the Save the Dream Ohio Initiative designed to stop preventable foreclosures.
About the Ohio CDC Association
The Ohio CDC Association is a statewide membership organization of community Development Corporations that engages in capacity-building advocacy and public policy development that fosters socially and economically healthy communities. The Ohio CDC Association’s vision is the creation of a community development environment that comprehensively improves life opportunities for all residents.
