News Release 
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, December 7, 2009 |
Media Contact: Tammana Bharakhda Email: tbharakhda@ohiohome.org Phone: 614.728.4704 |
OHIO HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY LAUNCHES OFFICE OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING RESEARCH
COLUMBUS — Today, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) launched its Office of Affordable Housing Research to facilitate the formation and implementation of affordable housing policy and initiatives throughout the state.
"Access to secure housing is a basic human need and we strive to ensure all Ohioans have that opportunity," said OHFA Executive Director Doug Garver. "With the creation of this new venture coupled with the OHFA Annual Plan, we will strategically identify and address affordable housing issues throughout Ohio."
Led by Dr. Holly Beard, the office will engage in several initiatives to utilize research-based data to prioritize statewide housing needs, guide policy and ensure that low- to moderate-income families receive the assistance they need to reside in safe, decent accommodations. Dr. Beard's broad experience has focused on supporting underserved and minority populations and she has acted as the principal investigator on multiple state-funded research projects, which involved statewide evaluation of federally funded programs.
OHFA will partner with the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, other colleges and universities around the state to collectively study the impact of affordable housing and effective policy-making procedures. Dr. Stephanie Moulton, Associate Professor at the John Glenn School of Public Affairs, will work with Dr. Beard to guide the research and analysis, which will entail working with colleagues across the state and nation to comprehensively analyze and identify potential projects. Dr. Moulton has conducted research on the Mortgage Revenue Bonds (MRB) in Ohio, Indiana and Florida, which highlighted lender participation in MRB programs, income and credit needs of borrowers, mortgage sustainability and how MRB programs increase the affordability of homeownership in certain lending environments.
Current research and related topics can be found on the Office of Affordable Housing Research Web page at www.ohiohome.org/housingresearch/default.aspx.
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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