Development Announces More Than $2 Million in Additional Support for Improved Housing Access in Ohio

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - The Ohio Department of Development today announced more than $2 million in grants to improve housing access across four Ohio counties.

The funding is part of the second round of the Welcome Home Ohio program, and completes the awards for grant applications received for state fiscal year 2024. In total, $100 million is available through the program for grants to help landbanks purchase, rehabilitate, or build qualifying residential properties for income-eligible Ohioans. Additionally, $25 million in nonrefundable tax credits remains available to landbanks and eligible developers for rehab and new construction projects once a property is sold. 

"As more and more companies look to expand in Ohio or put down new roots here, we must have quality, affordable housing available," said Governor Mike DeWine. "Through this program, we're helping local communities prepare for the future, and we're ensuring that more families have the opportunity to thrive in the heart of it all."

"Affordable, quality housing is high on the priority list when it comes to making Ohio a great place to live, work, and raise a family," said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. "If we want our children and grandchildren to live in Ohio and take advantage of our growing economy, then we need to build new places for them to live."

Today's announcement consists of $2.04 million in grants toward the construction, purchase, or rehabilitation of 44 homes. Since the program's inception, more than $31.5 million in Welcome Home Ohio funding has been awarded to support the creation of 307 owner-occupied, single-family homes in 20 counties.

The Welcome Home Ohio program was created in partnership with the Ohio General Assembly in the biennium budget bill, House Bill 33.

"Homeownership is at the heart of the American Dream, and we're making that dream an undeniable reality for more Ohioans than ever before," said Lydia Mihalik, director of the Department of Development, which administers the program. "It's not just about building neighborhoods; it's about empowering generations of families to lay down roots and contribute to the thriving communities that make Ohio great."

The following organizations have been selected to receive funding in this round:

The Hamilton County Land Reutilization Corporation (Hamilton County), in partnership with the Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority, Working in Neighborhoods, and Homesteading & Urban Redevelopment Corporation, will receive $150,000 in grants to construct five new homes. In partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati, the Hamilton County Land Reutilization Corporation will also receive $420,000 to construct 14 homes in the Madisonville neighborhood of Cincinnati.

The Jefferson County Land Bank (Jefferson County) will receive $660,556 in grants to purchase and rehabilitate three homes.

The Medina County Land Reutilization Corporation (Medina County), in partnership with Medina County Economic Development Corporation and Habitat for Humanity, will receive $300,000 to rehabilitate 10 single-family homes.

The Summit County Land Reutilization Corporation (Summit County) will receive a total of $510,000 in grants to purchase and rehabilitate three homes, build two new homes, and rehabilitate an additional seven properties.

The Ohio Department of Development empowers communities to succeed by investing in Ohio's people, places, and businesses. Learn more about our work at development.ohio.gov.

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