PORT CLINTON – Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County has been awarded $410,000 through the state’s Welcome Home Ohio program to create and preserve affordable housing for working families in the county.
The award includes $210,000 for new home construction and $200,000 for the acquisition and rehabilitation of existing homes. The funding will support Habitat’s efforts to increase the supply of affordable housing while helping local families achieve the dream of homeownership.
The Welcome Home Ohio program was established by the Ohio General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Mike DeWine to support the creation and preservation of affordable housing.
Habitat to build four new homes, rehab existing houses
Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County plans to use the money for four new affordable homes in Port Clinton as well and rehab existing housing to return safe, affordable homes to the market.
“Affordable housing development involves much more than constructing a house,” said Debi Heiks, executive director for Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County.
For Habitat’s current four-home development, infrastructure costs alone are approaching $250,000 before construction begins. Those costs include road construction, water and sewer infrastructure, storm drainage improvements, engineering, surveying, permitting and utility tap fees. Even with the award, Habitat will continue to rely on local donations, volunteer labor, community partnerships and other grant funding to finish the project.
Habitat works to keep home prices affordable
The actual cost of developing and constructing a home often exceeds what a low- to moderate-income working family can reasonably afford to purchase.
Programs such as Welcome Home Ohio offsets rising development and construction costs, allowing more families to achieve sustainable homeownership. “The reality is that affordable housing has become increasingly expensive to create,” said Valerie Winterfield, community engagement director for Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County.
Since 1994, Habitat for Humanity of Ottawa County has helped more than 50 local families through affordable homeownership and critical home repair programs. For more information, visit HabitatOttawaCounty.org or call 419-734-7074.
The News-Messenger/News Herald
This article originally appeared on Port Clinton News Herald: Ottawa County Habitat receives $410,000 state award
Reporting by USA Today Network / Port Clinton News Herald
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By USA Today Network | USA TODAY Network
