Mahoning Valley nonprofits receive state funding for home repairs, down payments
The Ohio Department of Development announced nearly $4.6 million in grants for nonprofit organizations to help improve housing and provide down payment assistance in communities across the state.
Catholic Charities Housing Opportunities serves Ashtabula, Columbiana, Mahoning, Portage, Stark and Trumbull counties.
They’re set to receive $42,755 to provide down payment assistance and housing counseling to seven households at or below 65% area median income in the counties served.
The Columbiana County Community Action Agency will receive $178,000 to provide 36 home repairs for homeowners at or below 50% area median income.
The funding comes from the Housing Assistance Grant Program, which utilizes Ohio Housing Trust Fund dollars to help non-profit organizations across the state promote more affordable housing opportunities and improve housing conditions.
This includes essential home repairs, renovations for handicap accessibility, limited down payment assistance and homebuyer education.
Lydia Mihalik is the director of the Ohio Department of Development.
“For some Ohioans, the challenges of buying a home do not stop once they get the keys,” she said. “These grants empower our local partners to step in where help is needed most by providing essential repairs and crucial education that makes the ‘American Dream’ more attainable for more families.”
With these grants, nonprofits can contract with local qualified construction companies to complete essential home repairs such as heating systems, water heaters, plumbing systems, severely deteriorated roofs, walls, windows, doors, hazardous electrical systems, and more.
The grants also allow investments of up to $5,000 per home toward down payment assistance and associated out-of-pocket expenses, as well as up to $500 per household for homebuyer education.
Homeowners who think they may qualify for funding through this program can reach out to the city or county that received the grant in their community.
