New infill homes in Cleveland not only provide quality homes to families in need, they also help stabilize troubled neighborhoods and keep gentrifying neighborhood affordable so longtime residents can afford to stay in the communities they’ve lived in and loved (Google). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
165+ new/rebuilt homes could be provided
Cuyahoga Land Bank has been awarded $4.95 Million from the Ohio Department of Development’s Welcome Home Ohio Program to support affordable housing development in the county. The funds will be used to create new, affordable homes in partnership with Cuyahoga County, CHN Housing Partners and Near West Land Trust.
The inclusion of the Near West Land Trust, formed by Ohio City Inc. and Tremont West Development Corp. several years ago, inaccurately suggests that the funding would go to help provide affordable housing only in rapidly gentrifying near-West Side neighborhoods of Cleveland, including Ohio City, Tremont and Clark-Fulton. Cuyahoga Land Bank Director of Real Estate Development Dennis Roberts said the funds will be used countywide.
The Welcome Home program was designed to help increase housing stock through construction or renovation of affordable housing units. Up to $30,000 in grant funds can be applied to each new or renovated house — $4.95 million can affect at least 165 homes. This program and the funds granted from it directly align with the Cuyahoga Land Bank’s mission to improve the quality of life for all Cuyahoga County residents.
“We are grateful to the State of Ohio for their support as we continue to create affordable housing opportunities, boost the quality of life for residents and strengthen the local housing market,” said Cuyahoga Land Bank President & CEO Ricardo León in a written statement.
“Further, we deeply appreciate Cuyahoga County’s continued support for creative housing solutions,” he added, noting that Cuyahoga County has been an invaluable supporter and partner of the Land Bank.
New affordable homes in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood help boost the community by repopulating it, filling vacant lots and keeping a variety of competitive housing options accessible to longtime residents of the neighborhood (Google).
“Cuyahoga Land Bank has consistently worked to improve housing conditions across our communities” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “We are grateful for this partnership and look forward to seeing increased housing opportunities for county residents that are most in need.”
Cleveland-based CHN Housing Partners will work with the Land Bank to create homeownership opportunities through the rehabilitation and renovation of existing homes, which CHN will complement with its existing homebuyer education and lending platforms.
“We are thrilled to again partner with the Land Bank to increase the affordable housing stock and make homeownership within reach for Cuyahoga County residents,” said Kevin Nowak, president and CEO of CHN Housing Partners.
Near West Land Trust Acting Director Ben Trimble notes that this award will have a resounding impact on both Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. Ohio City Inc. and Tremont West Development Corporation teamed up four years ago to form the Near West Land Trust to build or renovate up 10 affordable homes per year in the city’s gentrifying near-West Side.
“We’re excited for the opportunity to partner with Cuyahoga Land Bank to continue building much needed affordable homeownership opportunities for
our community in a new, innovative way,” Trimble said.
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