News Release 
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 16, 2007 |
Media Contact: Erin Biehl, ebiehl@ohiohome.org Phone: 614.387.2863 |
OHIO HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY BOARD APPROVES MORE THAN $4.2 MILLION IN FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
COLUMBUS — The Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) Board today approved $4.2 million of funding through the Housing Development Assistance Program (HDAP). The HDAP, funded by HOME funds and the Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF), provides financial assistance to developers to rehabilitate and develop affordable housing.
The following projects were approved at today's Board meeting:
Franklinton UW (Columbus/Franklin County) – Franklinton Development Association will receive a $210,000 HDAP award from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to develop a non-housing credit, scattered-site homeownership project involving the rehabilitation of one unit and the new construction of three single-family homes within Franklinton neighborhood within the city of Columbus, Franklin County. All homes will be sold to households at or below 80% of the area median gross income (AMGI). These 1,500 square foot homes include three bedrooms, one and a half baths and basements. Franklinton Development Association will be partnering with Columbus Housing Partnership for their HUD-certified homebuyer education and counseling program. Franklin Development Association is the developer of this project budgeted at more than $650,000.
Glen Cove Condominiums (Cleveland/Cuyahoga County) – Northeast Shores Development Corporation (NSDC) will receive a $322,900 HDAP award from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to rehabilitate six units in an existing building for condominium homeownership opportunities. Each home will feature a washer/dryer unit, air conditioning, garage door opener, range, refrigerator, garbage disposal and a private basement. This non-housing credit project will include several energy-efficient features as well as a variety of universal design elements. All homes will be sold to households at or below 80% of the AMGI. Northeast Shores Development Corporation is the developer of this project budgeted at more than $790,000.
Green Cottages (Cleveland/Cuyahoga County) – Cuyahoga Community Land Trust, Inc. (CCLT) will receive a $450,000 HDAP award from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to construct five, two and three-bedroom houses in EcoVillage of the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood on Cleveland's west side in Cuyahoga County. All homes will be sold to households at or below 80% of the AMGI, and will emphasize indoor air quality and durability of construction materials. The development will incorporate Green Construction techniques and materials as well as Energy-Star rated appliances. Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization is the developer of this project budgeted at more than $1.1 million.
Southside Home Ownership (Columbus/Franklin County) – Community Development for All People will receive a $420,000 HDAP award for the acquisition and rehabilitation of 14 single-family homes on the south side of Columbus, Franklin County. Each home features three bedrooms and one bath, and will be gut-rehabbed and equipped with updated electrical service, energy-efficient windows, furnaces, water heaters and appliances. The scattered-site homes will be sold to households at or below 80% of the AMGI. Community Development for All People is the developer of this project budgeted at more than $1.9 million.
Northside Homeownership III (Youngstown/Mahoning County) – Common Wealth Inc. will receive a $205,000 HDAP award from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to develop a non-housing credit, homeownership project consisting of four newly-constructed homes in Youngstown, Mahoning County. One home will be targeted to a household with a mobility and/or sensory impaired member. Each 1,229 square foot home will include three bedrooms, two baths and an attached two-car garage. Three homes will be two-story with a full basement, and the fourth home will be ranch-style on a slab. All homes will have a minimum of 20 universal design features, and will include a new energy-efficient range and refrigerator, dishwasher, garbage disposal, garage door opener and a washer/dryer hookup. Catholic Charities and Goodwill Industries will provide supportive services to the mobility and sensory impaired and other residents. Common Wealth Inc. is the developer of the project budgeted at $665,000.
Alex Apartments (West Carrollton/Montgomery County) – Miami Valley In-Ovations, Inc. will receive a $160,000 HDAP grant from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to construct a multifamily rental project in the city of West Carrollton in Montgomery County. The project will consist of two single-story buildings totaling six units, and target a special needs population of persons with mental retardation and/or development disabilities (MRDD). Each unit will have at least 20 universal design elements that are tailored to the project's special needs population. All units will consist of two bedrooms and one bath, and will be equipped with a range, refrigerator, central air, washer/dryer hookups and window coverings. The units will be available to those at 35% of the AMGI. Miami Valley In-Ovations, the developer of the project budgeted at more than $875,000, will also provide supportive services to residents.
AMR Transitional Housing (Xenia/Greene County) – American Red Cross, Dayton Area Chapter will receive a $428,500 HDAP grant from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to develop a seven-unit project that will serve homeless families with dependent children. All of the two-bedroom, one-bath units will incorporate a variety of universal design features, and laundry facilities will be available for residents. A service coordinator will be available on-site to provide supervision of the program and assistance to the residents. Families will be referred to the Greene County Department of Job and Family Services, who will assist adult residents in developing job readiness skills, preparing resumes, and accessing job search/employment services. Caseworkers will meet with the family at least once weekly to monitor their progress. American Red Cross, Dayton Area Chapter will be the developer of the project budgeted at more than $790,000.
Bettye Ruth Kaye Community Homes (Swanton Township/Lucas County) – Bittersweet, Inc. will receive a $522,875 HDAP grant from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to construct 12 ranch-style units in Swanton Township, Lucas County. The 557 square foot units will consist of one bedroom and one bath, and will be restricted to residents with development disabilities, particularly autism. The project site will be designed to create energy-efficient buildings, such as thermal efficient windows and high efficiency furnaces and water heaters. Design considerations will include appliances and appliance layout to ensure usability from a wheelchair. Bittersweet will provide on-site management to oversee the day-to-day operations of the project. Emergency dialer systems for life-threatening situations will also be provided. Bittersweet, Inc. is the developer of this project budgeted at more than $1.7 million.
West Park Apartments (Canton/Stark County) – ICAN, Inc. will receive a $750,000 HDAP grant from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to rehabilitate three buildings in Canton, Stark County. The development will provide 16 rental units and serve adults who have a history of severe and persistent mental illness. Residents are referred to ICAN from the Phoenix Rising agency and the Crisis Intervention and Recovery Center. State-licensed and qualified mental health professionals from these agencies complete psychological evaluations on potential residents, making recommendations for residents who would be best suited for independent living. Each resident works with a psychiatrist, a therapist and a case manager. ICAN, Inc. is the developer of this project budgeted at more than $1.4 million.
Viewpoint Apartments (Sandusky/Erie County) – National Church Residences will receive a $750,000 HDAP grant from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to acquire and rehabilitate 117 affordable housing units for very low- and low-income households 55 years of age and older. Affordability of the units will range from 35% to 60% AMGI. Five units will not be covered by the rent and income restrictions in order to accommodate current residents who may be over-income. All of the units are one-story apartments with one bedroom, a kitchen, dining room/living room, and energy-efficient air conditioning systems. The site plan includes elements such as sidewalks, common area lighting, landscaping and parking. National Church Residences is the developer of this project budgeted at more than $13.2 million.
OHFA utilizes federal and state resources to provide housing opportunities for families and individuals through programs designed to create, preserve, and manage affordable housing throughout the State of Ohio. The Agency is a self-supporting quasi-public agency governed by an eleven-member board, nine of whom are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Two additional seats on the board, by statute, are reserved for the Director of Development and the Director of Commerce, or their designees, and both serve as ex officio voting members.
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