Welcome Home Ohio Program

Jefferson County Land Bank has been Awarded $660,556.00
to Help Improve Access to Housing Across Ohio

Second round of Welcome Home Ohio program supports purchase, construction, and rehab of 44 homes in four counties

(COLUMBUS, Ohio) Jefferson County Land Bank represents one of four Ohio counties slated to receive a share of more than $2 million in funding to help improve access to housing across the state.

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 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. The Ohio Department of Development administers the program.

“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 Director Mihalik. “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.”

Today’s award will support the Jefferson County Land Bank and Jefferson Metropolitan Housing Authority with the construction of three new houses in Jefferson County.

The Jefferson County Land Bank would like to thank Governor DeWine, the Ohio Department of Development and its Director Lydia Mihalik for giving Jefferson County the opportunity to construct three new homes in Jefferson County. Two of the three houses will be built in the North End of Steubenville to compliment the City of Steubenville and JMHA’s HUD Choice Neighborhood Planning Grant. The third house will be built in the City of Toronto. The houses will be available for purchase by a low-moderate income family in Jefferson County. These individuals will be given the opportunity to realize the American Dream of Homeownership through the Welcome Home Ohio program. The construction of these houses is a step forward towards the revitalization of neighborhoods in Jefferson County.

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.

The Land Bank’s mission is to stem neighborhood blight, restore abandoned properties to productive use, and provide the community planning and legal authority to champion the revitalization of neighborhoods. As a county wide resource, the Land Bank can assist in region-wide redevelopment efforts.

To learn more visit www.jeffersoncountylandbank.org.

For more information, contact:                                              For New Home Construction information, contact:

Mason Waldvogel                                                                              Tabatha Glover   landbank@jeffersoncountyoh.com

Mason.Waldvogel@development.ohio.gov

REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP)

DESIGN & BUILD SERVICES FOR A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE

The Jefferson County Land Bank is seeking proposals from qualified home construction companies to design and build a single family residence at a specified location. A copy of the RFP can be obtained by contacting Tabatha Glover at 740-283-8655 or landbank@jeffersoncountyoh.com or Michael Thompson at miket@arch-it-tech.com. All proposals must be received by 4:00 p.m. on December 4, 2024.