"Ohio Senate approves abandoned-homes bill" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Ohio Senate approves abandoned-homes bill
Jim Siegel
The Columbus Dispatch
May 29, 2008

More than 4,100 vacant residential properties stain the landscape across Columbus, but city officials hope a bill passed by the Ohio Senate today will help them get those buildings into the hands of new owners.

The bill was part of another active legislative day. But lawmakers aren't done yet. Leaders plan to return on June 10 to handle the new, $1.3 billion state construction budget and budget correction bill...

...“This bill will be helpful to urban centers that have these vacant properties that have been orphaned,” said Columbus City Attorney Richard C. Pfeiffer Jr. “It's not a panacea. But it's one of those things that sure would be nice if we had the ability to do this.”...

"Housing Partnership Showcases Solutions" nbc4i.com

Link: Housing Partnership Showcases Solutions
Ashley Brown
nbc4i.com
May 21, 2008

...The Columbus Housing Partnership (CHP) showed off some solutions Wednesday.

Public officials, public-housing representatives and business representatives boarded a bus for a tour of homes.

What they saw wasn't always pretty. Some homes were boarded up, and there were unkept properties -- the result of foreclosure.

"Over the last four years, over 30,000 people in our community and Franklin County have had foreclosures filed against them," CHP's Amy Klaben said...

"Too few homes for low-income renters" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Too few homes for low-income renters
Mark Ferenchik
The Columbus Dispatch
May 21, 2008

...“There's a huge gap between the number of affordable housing units and the need,” said Amy Klaben, the Housing Partnership's president, who says the county needs 17,000 more units for families making less than $15,000 a year.

Poor people often spend 55 percent of their income on housing, Klaben said.

The nonprofit partnership has been taking government officials, lenders, board members and others on similar tours the past few years. But this tour was designed to also drive by boarded-up, foreclosed homes on the way to partnership sites...

"Columbus housing authority discusses demolition plan" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Columbus housing authority discusses demolition plan
Rita Price
The Columbus Dispatch
May 21, 2008

Where will they go?

If the federal government approves a plan to tear down half of the city's public housing, then approximately 2,700 low-income residents must find answers to that question.

For young families, the task should not prove too hard, the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority thinks.

“For senior citizens, it's going to be a little more difficult,” Dennis Guest, CMHA executive director, said tonight. “We've got to get more units developed for seniors. The boomers are coming along.”...

"Public housing might be halved" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Public housing might be halved
Rita Price
The Columbus Dispatch
May 12, 2008

...The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority wants to tear down six of its largest and oldest public-housing communities and give the residents Section 8 vouchers so they can rent privately owned places...

...Maplewood Heights and Bollinger Towers, both senior public-housing complexes with a total of 171 units, probably would be sold to a CMHA nonprofit affiliate and converted to Section 8. Residents would not be affected.

The city supports the restructuring, according to a letter from Mayor Michael B. Coleman to Guest.

"We know there are going to be long and hard discussions, and the city of Columbus will be sitting at the table," said Boyce Safford, city development director. "But I think deconcentration has good economic benefits for the community."...

"Councilwoman's housing plan calls for land trusts" Business First of Columbus

Link: Councilwoman's housing plan calls for land trusts
[account required]
Jeff Bell
Business First of Columbus
April 11, 2008

City Councilwoman Charleta Tavares is all for reviving Columbus' struggling neighborhoods, but she doesn't want to see long-time residents driven out in the process.

With that in mind, Tavares is trying to bring together government, neighborhood and business groups to discuss creating community land trusts in Columbus. The effort could ensure affordable housing is available in neighborhoods on the rebound and head off the sort of gentrification that has been seen in areas such as Victorian and Italian villages, she said.

Otherwise, much of the work force in revitalized areas, even those with moderate or middle incomes, may find themselves priced out of home ownership.

"The goal," Tavares said, "is to have affordable housing where price points are moving up quickly, particularly in neighborhoods with long-standing residents. I don't want them pushed out because they can't pay (higher property) taxes or afford to live in their community any more."

Tavares and Catherine Girves, director of the University Area Enrichment Association, have been working on details for a community land trust for more than a year. They recently met with leaders of neighborhood groups in the Ohio State University and Weinland Park areas, and with officials from city government and nonprofit groups with a focus on affordable housing...

"Washington’s Grand Experiment to Rehouse the Poor" New York Times

Link: Washington’s Grand Experiment to Rehouse the Poor
Eric Eckholm
New York Times
March 21, 2008

...Bucking national trends and citing what they call “a moral goal,” District of Columbia officials have pledged to preserve and even expand low-income housing, replacing dangerous projects with new communities that keep both poor and “work force” residents — firefighters, teachers and laborers — in the mix.

The redevelopment of the Arthur Capper and Carrollsburg projects, where Ms. Jackson lived, is the first in the country to promise replacement of all low-income units within the same neighborhood, said Michael Kelly, director of the city Housing Authority.

“Mr. Kelly is undertaking a great experiment to see if he can turn around distressed neighborhoods and keep the original residents there to benefit,” said Sue Popkin, a housing expert at the Urban Institute. “It’s a gamble. We don’t know how to take a terrible neighborhood and make it nice while keeping the same people there.”

The federal government no longer pays to build housing projects, which in Washington, Chicago and other cities became symbols of concentrated poverty...

Enterprise Makes New Markets Tax Credits Investment to Create up to 700 Affordable Homes in Columbus, Ohio

press release
COLUMBUS, Ohio – February 7, 2008 – Enterprise Community Investment, Inc., (Enterprise) announced today a strategic investment of $9.5 million using New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC) to assist Columbus Housing Partnership in financing the construction or rehabilitation of up to 700 affordable homes in Columbus, Ohio, over seven years. Investing with Enterprise in the project are national corporate partners Nationwide, Huntington Bank and World Financial Network National Bank, a subsidiary of Alliance Data, along with the City of Columbus and the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County.

“Columbus Housing Partnership is a long-time partner of Enterprise and we look forward to partnering with CHP to create these affordable homes for local families earning less than 80 percent of area median income,” said Charles R. Werhane, vice chairman and chief operating officer at Enterprise Community Investment, Inc. “In addition to homes, this project creates construction and service jobs that will help boost the local economy.”

The homes will be developed by the Columbus Housing Partnership (CHP) and its Homeport division, and the Central Ohio Housing Development Organization over a seven-year period and will include targeted communities in central city neighborhoods. Total development costs could exceed $80 million. Other sources of financing include local subsidies, which are critical to making the project feasible.

This development will partner with the City of Columbus’ Home Again initiative to improve city neighborhoods and increase homeownership opportunities. With more than 4,100 vacant homes, the Home Again program seeks to rehabilitate vacant properties for productive use, facilitate homeownership and prevent the decline and disinvestment in city communities.

“With committed, visionary partners like Enterprise, Columbus Housing Partnership and the City of Columbus, the decision to invest was a sound choice,” said Tom Hoaglin, chairman and CEO of Huntington Bank. “Housing is such a critical building block of great neighborhoods and great cities but, more importantly, a strong foundation for families to grow strong.”

“Building up neighborhoods starts with quality, affordable housing, and it takes partnerships like this to get the job done,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman. “We’re bringing together public and private investment in ways that will greatly impact the quality of life for families as they step into their new homes.”

The $9.5 million investment utilizing new markets tax credits will be loaned to Homeport and the Central Ohio Housing Development Organization to be “recycled” throughout the seven-year NMTC compliance period, during which up to 700 homes will be constructed or rehabilitated over seven years. Proceeds from home sales will be used to finance the next set of homes until loan maturity.

“Proactively meeting the needs of our community is at the very heart of our corporate values,” said Dan Groomes, president of World Financial Network National Bank. “We are deeply committed to making our communities better places to live and work and we are proud to build on our long-term relationship with steadfast partners like Columbus Housing Partnership.”

“Nationwide is proud to work with Columbus Housing Partnership, Enterprise, the City of Columbus and the corporate community on this critical initiative to revitalize Columbus neighborhoods,” said Robert Maloney, vice president of Nationwide’s commercial real estate investments. “It is vitally important for our community to ensure that all families have access to affordable and quality housing.”

The NMTC program is administered by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Community Development Financial Institutions Fund (CDFI) to attract private capital investment into the nation’s low-income communities to help finance development projects, stimulate economic growth and create jobs. Enterprise is a national leader in affordable housing and community development, investing its $515 million in NMTC allocations in projects nationwide.

“Without private investment, providing Columbus residents with affordable housing in centrally located neighborhoods would not be possible at a large-scale,” said Amy D. Klaben, president and CEO of Columbus Housing Partnership. “Columbus Housing Partnership is looking forward to the work ahead in creating new opportunities for safe, decent and affordable housing for our community.”
Columbus Housing Partnership

Established in 1987, CHP is a private, nonprofit organization that provides quality, affordable housing and related services to low- and moderate- income households in Columbus and the surrounding area. Founded on the belief that a decent and affordable home is the cornerstone of family life and a healthy community, CHP has developed 4,000 single- and multifamily affordable homes to serve 23,000 people. CHP also offers homeownership and foreclosure counseling, community health clinics and operates a large community safety program with more than 30 AmeriCorps volunteers. For more information, visit www.chpcolumbus.org.

Enterprise is a leading provider of the development capital and expertise it takes to create decent, affordable homes and rebuild communities. For 25 years, Enterprise has pioneered neighborhood solutions through public-private partnerships with financial institutions, governments, community organizations and others that share our vision. Enterprise has raised and invested $8 billion in equity, grants and loans to help build or preserve 225,000 affordable rental and for-sale homes to create vital communities. Enterprise is currently investing in communities at a rate of $1 billion a year. Visit www.enterprisecommunity.org and www.enterprisecommunity.com to learn more about Enterprise's efforts to build communities and opportunity.

"Columbus tackles vacant houses" The Columbus Dispatch

Link: Columbus tackles vacant houses
Mark Ferenchik
The Columbus Dispatch
December 23, 2007

..."When somebody abandons their property, they need to understand they've given up their ownership," Stivers said. "We get cities stuck with cleaning up properties that are in a long process for foreclosure.

"The process shouldn't take three years."

Pfeiffer said the city would marshal all the liens against a property -- back taxes, mortgages, etc. -- to file for foreclosure.

"What is the goal? To get dilapidated, neglected property in the hands of productive owners," said Pfeiffer, the former Franklin County environmental judge.

Any money collected after the foreclosure would go to the creditors, he said. "We don't want your money."...

"Rising Use of 'Impact' Fees Rankles New-Home Buyers" RealEstateJournal.com

Link: Rising Use of 'Impact' Fees Rankles New-Home Buyers
Kris Hudson
RealEstateJournal.com
November 26, 2007

...While few rocket into six figures, impact fees such as those faced by Ms. Banzon and Mr. Ahmad are popping up in a rapidly expanding number of cash-strapped U.S. municipalities scrounging for new revenue sources while federal funding for local infrastructure has become more difficult to obtain. The one-time fees, imposed on builders and often folded into home prices and passed on to buyers, are used by cities to fund construction of infrastructure such as roads, sidewalks, parks and even fire stations for rapidly growing neighborhoods. A 2006 Kansas State University survey found that 39% of the 292 U.S. cities responding imposed impact fees on new construction last year, up from 25% in 2002...

"Gahanna TIFs rank tops among community financing tools in U.S." Business First of Columbus

Tax Increment Financing (TIF) has been the premier local governemnt tool for funding new infrastrucutre as part of revitalization efforts throughout Columbus and even our suburbs. This is a great example of a TIF in Gahanna that actually won national recognition:

Link: Gahanna TIFs rank tops among community financing tools in U.S.
CIndy Bent Findlay
Business First of Columbus
November 2, 2007

..."When you look at TIF or tax increment financing, it's without a doubt the most popular financing tool in the U.S. right now, no question. For Gahanna to be recognized as the best, that's saying a lot," says council Executive Director Toby Rittner.

Tax increment financing is a tool increasingly used by communities around the country to make community infrastructure improvements in specific, delineated districts using funds borrowed against projected tax gains spurred by those improvements.

The programs divert real property taxes over a specified period, often lasting, as in the case of Gahanna's programs, 30 years...

..."First, the financing package itself is very good. Also, Gahanna redeveloped its downtown - bringing hundreds of jobs - in a smart growth way; not building new homes in cornfields but redeveloping what it has, in a great creative program that showed success. That's largely why they won," says Rittner...

"A Big Push for Affordable Housing" US News and World Report

With all the hopes and dreams of afforable housing in the downtown area and surrounding urban neighborhoods, I thought this was an interesting find on the topic. Affordable housing is a constant piece of the housing puzzle that finds its way into various projects throughout the country in various forms:

Link: A Big Push for Affordable Housing
Kent Garber
US News and World Report
September 22, 2007

...It has supported a housing bill first proposed in 1987 and re-energized this fall that would create a national housing trust fund: a dedicated source of money to build affordable new houses and rehabilitate old ones. Unlike existing housing programs, which are subject to the whims of congressional appropriations, the trust fund would be politically immune. It would be financed, in part, by diverting revenue from Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored mortgage giants...

...Not since 1992 has Congress approved a major overhaul of housing laws. The renewed interest reflects not only the new Democratic leadership but also two unsettling trends: Housing costs are growing, and federal funding isn't. According to a study published by the Joint Center for Housing Studies, nearly 1 in 7 American households is "severely housing cost-burdened," spending more than half of its income on housing...

Grandview for example, introduced the topic of integrated inclusionarly housing last year to combat dwindling supplies of low-to-moderate income housing. I'm not sure if it made in into legislation but the idea was to recommend that new residential projects include a certain percentage of affordably priced units.

Columbus has yet to see any of our existing affordable housing strategies get mainstream attention in conjunction with the downtown housing market or any of the condo project that are underway

"Grant designed to create more housing opportunities" Business First of Columbus

Link: Grant designed to create more housing opportunities
Business First of Columbus
July 19, 2007

One of the biggest challenges for Columbus-based nonprofit developer Homes on the Hill has been closing the gap between housing rehabilitation costs and the selling price to local families.

A $500,000 grant from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency will do just that. The funding plus state and county aid will let Homes on the Hill maintain existing sale prices for 12 homes it is expected to build over the next 30 months...

"Key to attainable housing? Combining multiple elements" CoolTown Studios

Link: CoolTown Studios: Key to attainable housing? Combining multiple elements.

Nowadays, one affordable housing strategy isn't enough to make a difference. You need several all at once, and the Urban Land Institute illustrates just that in their article, Housing the Masses. Here are some of the programs that need to be combined:...

"Mayor's affordable-housing plan passes" Chicago Tribune

Link: Mayor's affordable-housing plan passes
Mickey Ciokajlo
Chicago Tribune
May 15, 2007

...Daley's plan will require developers to set aside 10 percent of homes in projects of 10 units or more where city land is sold, where a zoning change increases density or alters the designation to residential, or where special city approval is otherwise needed.

The city estimates that the new requirement will affect about half of the new projects of that size each year, creating more than 1,000 homes annually.

The ordinance requires the homes to be affordable for families that don't earn more than the Chicago metropolitan area's median income, or about $75,000 for a family of four. The city says that comes out to about $183,000 for a two-bedroom home.

Developers can opt out of the requirement by paying $100,000 per unit into a city fund used to create more affordable housing, including rental units targeted at lower income levels...

"Coleman reviews initiatives with Columbus Associates" ThisWeek Newspapers

I just came across another neighborhood / city organization that I hadn't heard of before:

Link: Coleman reviews initiatives with Columbus Associates
Thursday, June 1, 2006
By RANDY NAVAROLI
ThisWeek Newspapers

Columbus Mayor Michael Coleman reviewed the city's various initiatives to improve neighborhoods at the Columbus Associates meeting May 25 at the Columbus Development Department.

Columbus Associates are civic association and area commission leaders who meet monthly to share information and to discuss issues affecting their neighborhoods.Coleman called blighted housing the most pressing issue facing the city's neighborhoods and their residents...

Mayor and residents kick off Home Again

Abandoned homes in Franklinton first on list to be demolished
Dedication of first new home in Franklinton in 40 years

(Columbus)  The City is stepping up to tackle vacant and abandoned houses through HOME AGAIN, a promise made by Mayor Michael B. Coleman during his 2006 State of the City Address, along with the commitment of $25 million over six years to buy, fix up or tear down the first 1,000 blighted properties.  The program started today, as residents joined Mayor Coleman, City Attorney Rick Pfeiffer and housing advocates to demolish 258 S. Yale Avenue in Franklinton.  This is the first of eight properties currently owned by the City that cannot be saved.  The City plans to spend a total of $575,000 this year to demolish 72 properties.

“Home Again is a $25 million priority and we are starting today to remove these blighted homes from our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Coleman.  “For too long we have nibbled around the edges in this fight, as vacant homes got worse, attracting crime and vandalism, and hurting the quality of life for responsible families who live nearby.”

The City Attorney’s Office, code enforcement and the Division of Police have partnered to expedite the process of declaring a property a public nuisance that would reduce the foreclosure process by 3 to 6 months.  Police officers also have the ability to arrest anyone who is found on the property that has been declared a nuisance.  These measures are designed to reduce crimes that can take place in vacant houses.

“It is encouraging to see that we have concerns for all of our neighborhoods,” said the City Attorney.  “From the neighborhoods to the courts, we will be there with citizen to help address this important issue.”

The Home Again Program has a five point plan of action:  prevention, enforcement, acquisition, rehabilitation, and demolition.  Home Again engages partners like the Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County to manage the acquisition of properties.  Legislation will be forwarded June 19 to City Council for the transfer of $300,000 to the Trust, to begin purchasing and rehabbing properties.

“This is the largest commitment the City has ever made to revitalizing neighborhoods and creating homeownership opportunities.  When you transform boarded-up houses to homes that working families can afford to own, the benefits are compelling.  Houses become homes again, streets get safer, and neighborhoods have restored pride.  That’s an excellent value proposition for the funds being committed by the Mayor and Council,” said Mark Milligan, president of Housing Trust Columbus.

It has been more than 40 years since the Franklinton neighborhood has seen significant new housing construction, but that too is changing, as Mayor Coleman, officials from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Habitat for Humanity-Greater Columbus (HFHGC) and the Columbus Board of REALTORSâ kicked off National Homeownership Month by dedicating a new home at 49 Schultz Ave. 

"We are thankful that the city is tearing down houses that are beyond rehabilitation.  The four houses in Franklinton are on the top of the list to be demolished.  We have been working hard to get the houses rehabbed and now that the floodwall is finished, we're looking forward to a bright future," said Carol Stewart, Chair of the Franklinton Area Commission.

The City requested foreclosure on the 258 South Yale Avenue property in 2003, and the City obtained title to it in August, 2004, placing it in the land bank.   In the four years prior to the City taking ownership, the property was vacant and caught fire on two occasions.  After completion of the demolition on Yale Avenue, the City will tear down the following vacant properties:

391 S. Brehl Avenue
446 S. Central Avenue
273 S. Grubb Street
706 Lock Avenue
1594 Tiffin Street
653 Stambaugh Avenue
1405 E. 23rd

Additional Contacts: 
Carol Stewart, Chair of the Franklinton Area Commission, 279-9382
Mark Milligan, President Affordable Housing Trust, 228-6488
Nicole Hypes, 364-7032, Habitat for Humanity-Greater Columbus

MAYOR COLEMAN KICKS OFF HOME AGAIN IN FRANKLINTON WITH DEMOLITION & CONSTRUCTION

Joins HUD and Habitat for Humanity to launch National Homeownership Month

(Columbus)  Launching his promised $25 million HOME AGAIN initiative and pushing to help revitalization efforts in Franklinton, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and officials from the City, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Habitat for Humanity-Greater Columbus, the Columbus Board of REALTORSâ and residents will be on hand for the demolition of an abandoned, blighted house at 258 South Yale Avenue and the dedication of a new home at 49 Schultz Avenue. 

What:
Home Again Program kick off DEMOLITION

Habitat for Humanity-Greater Columbus
House Dedication

When:
May 31, 2006

Where:
10:30 a.m. Demolition
258 S. Yale Avenue

11 a.m. House dedication
49 Schultz Avenue

A small City bus will be available to help transport people between the sites.

"Thousands line up for new Section 8 waiting list" The Columbus Dispatch

As a follow up to my posting about the Section 8 housing assistance program application boon from the other day, by the looks of these numbers we may have a growing problem to turn our attention to.

Urban revitalization does have effects on the available affordable housing stock and issues of gentrification can also push the problem along too. If we take up all the housing stock as neighborhoods are revitalized and don't have an aggressive plan to provide an affordable alternative, the numbers below just might point to a potential problem in the not-to-far-off future:

Link: Thousands line up for new Section 8 waiting list
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Matt Tullis
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

..."It shows there is quite a demand for subsidized housing," he said, adding that a vast majority of the applicants are spending more than 60 percent of their income on monthly rent.

People typically shouldn’t spend more than 30 percent of their income on rent, Guest said.

The housing authority has about 11,000 units, he said. Every year, between 800 and 1,000 become available for approved Section 8 applicants...

...The large turnout surprised him. He had thought between 4,000 and 5,000 applications would be handed out.

"Now it looks like we’ll go well past 8,000," he said...

Mayor and Council Announce First Round of HOME AGAIN Demos

Part of $25 million committed for Acquisition, Rehab and Demolition of Problem Properties

(Columbus)  Kicking off the $25 million HOME AGAIN plan to acquire, clean-up, fix-up or demolish some of Columbus’ worst vacant and abandoned properties, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and City Councilmembers Maryellen O’Shaughnessy and Patsy Thomas are introducing legislation (#0879-2006) for Monday, May 8th, allowing for the demolition of the first round of properties identified as unsafe, public nuisances.

“For too long, too many properties have been allowed to sit vacant, bringing down neighborhoods, attracting crime and frustrating neighbors, that’s why we announced Home Again during the State of the City Address to tackle this problem,” said Mayor Michael B. Coleman.  “We’ve listened to residents’ concerns, and we are moving forward to make a difference starting this year.  I look forward to joining residents as these first houses come down.”

"We sent a letter requesting these properties be torn down in April and we are pleased with the very rapid response by the City.  We are so glad these neighborhood eyesores are coming down," stated Carol Stewart, Chair of the Franklinton Area Commission.

The City will focus the first round of demolition on eight properties it currently controls in its Land Bank.  Four of those properties, 273 N. Grubb Street, 391 Brehl Avenue, 446 S. Central Avenue and 258 S. Yale Avenue, are on the City’s “worst of the worst” list for vacant properties and are located in Franklinton.  The other four properties to be demolished in coming weeks are 706 Lock Avenue, 1405 E. 23rd, 1594 Tiffin Street and 653 Stambaugh Avenue.

“Vacant and abandoned houses can single-handedly destroy the morale of a neighborhood,” said Council Member O’Shaughnessy. “After the City has done a careful review and heard from residents, we need to move forward.  I look forward to assisting the hard-working residents of Franklinton and other neighborhoods with the removal of these eyesores from their community.”

The legislation allows the City to enter into a $100,000 contact with Ransom Demolition. On average, a demolition costs the City $8,000. In 2005 the City spent $219,000 demolishing vacant properties and has demolished over 110 dangerous, blighted properties since 2000.  The legislation follows a two month contracting (Request for Proposal or RFP) process which began on March 15.

"City Council remains committed to finding and budgeting new ways to target nuisance properties that bring our neighborhoods down," said Councilmember Patsy Thomas. "Over the past few years, this Council has worked in partnership with the Mayor and our City Attorney to hold accountable the owners of these neglected and vacant properties. But more must be done, if we are to be successful."

In February, Mayor Coleman announced the HOME AGAIN initiative in an effort to affect the estimated 3,200 vacant homes in the City and is working with the City Attorney, City Council and private sector partners to put forth a comprehensive strategy for the community.  By comparison, Cleveland has more than 25,000 vacant properties, Baltimore has more than 42,000, and Indianapolis has more than 8,000.  Through HOME AGAIN, Mayor Coleman committed $25 million over six years with a goal of putting 1,000 of the worst vacant properties back into productive use by 2012.  HOME AGAIN is a five point plan of action that includes prevention, enforcement, acquisition, rehabilitation and demolition. This plan will include funding to help families keep up their homes, to secure vacant buildings, and to tear down those that can’t be saved.

To contact Carol Stewart, Chair of the Franklinton Area Commission, 279-9382.

For immediate release   
May 5, 2006                                        

Contact: Mike Brown, 645-6428
Greg Davies, 645-5630
Council, Scott Varner, 645-6798

"City Council to demolish vacant properties" Business First of Columbus

From a jab at the city last week to more appropriate media coverage this week, we see the first signs of Mayor Coleman's Home Again initiative go live this week with legislation that made its way to City Council tonight to start dealing with one piece of Columbus' vacant and blighted homes issue:

Link: City Council to demolish vacant properties
Business First of Columbus
May 8, 2006

...Pending approval by council in its meeting later Monday, the city's Home Again initiative will begin the first phase of a six-year plan to acquire, rehabilitate or demolish vacant properties. The legislation proposes a withdrawal of $100,000 from the $25 million allotted over six years for the city's Home Again program to demolish eight properties located in downtown, south of Grandview Heights, German Village, and the Bexley-area...

"Thousands Turn Out for Section 8 Applications" WBNS-10TV

While we may not hear of too many issues with gentrification as of yet, it appears that the need for affordable housing is larger than what even some public officials expected:

Link: Thousands Turn Out for Section 8 Applications.
WBNS-10TV

..."It clearly indicates that we have a continuing issue of low income families, working poor families that try to make ends meet and along with the work they have, they need some help in paying housing," said CMHA Deputy Director John Hahn...

There is going to be some point in time in the near future that as our urban neighborhoods continue to be renovated and home values continue to rise, that we will significantly eat into the amount of affordable housing that is or was available in these areas.

That does put those in lower-income families between a rock and a hard place.

As neighborhoods gentrify and once affordable housing stocks begins to disappear, the only direction to go is back to the neighborhoods that really need the most investment in order to be livable. The folks who need housing assistance can't get those blighted and vacant areas back up to par on their own.

A pinch and a problem is on the way, but hopefully so is the solution in the Mayor Coleman's Home Again initiative which is aimed at working on Columbus' blighted and vacant home issue.

We really need to see more effort being put into the affordable housing programs within the city from the private side.

"Researchers call spending-limits proposal ‘flawed’" The Columbus Dispatch

Here is another update on the proposed Ohio constitutional amendment, name the Tax Expenditure Limitation, which is on the ballot for November. If it passes if could potentially have significant effects on a few of our urban revitalization projects such as the new Hall of Justice and the new Clippers Stadium. It could also cut local government funds, essentially resulting in compromised level of public service.

I'll be keeping an eye on the issue and any potential local ramifications that may come along with it as things develop:

Link: Researchers call spending-limits proposal ‘flawed’
Economy, schools would suffer, study says
Thursday, March 16, 2006
Mark Niquette
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

...The Tax Expenditure Limitation amendment, or TEL, already is certified for the November ballot. Its goal: controlling state and local spending to ease the burden on taxpayers and help stimulate the economy.

But similar measures have hurt economies in other states, and the TEL would create serious budget problems for local governments and school districts, says the study released yesterday by Cleveland State University researchers.

The study also says the TEL is poorly drafted and would invite court challenges...

View assoicated graphic

"City partners with county to create finance authority" Business First of Columbus

Looks like there are some more political tools on the way to help spur local and regional development initiatives in a joint effort by the City of Columbus and Franklin County with the formation of the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority.

Essentially, this "financing port authority" gives the city and the county more ways to get additional development deals going with some new financing tools. A couple of the potential benefactors of these new tools could be the Clippers Stadium, Huntington Park, and possibly even City Center if and when the time comes:

Link: City partners with county to create finance authority
Business First of Columbus
Kevin Kemper
March 14th, 2006

Looking to expand the region's economic development opportunities, the City of Columbus approved a plan to establish a new financing port authority in conjunction with Franklin County.

Columbus City Council unanimously approved the creation of the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority at its meeting Monday night. Franklin County Commissioners are expected to approve the joint authority at their meeting today...

...Varner said the Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority will likely be involved in projects such as the new Columbus Clippers baseball park slated for downtown's Arena District, potential redevelopment of the City Center mall and other projects...

"Getting tough on government spending" Business First of Columbus

There are a couple of issues on the way this year that take the shape of possible amendments that I thought I'd get out in front of you that could boil down to some cuts and restrictions for the county and the city if one of them goes through.

This is the first I've come across them but you'll want to keep your eyes open. The first potential amendment for Ohio's constitution is Secretary of State Kenneth Blackwell's Tax Expenditure Limitation (TEL) amendment. Then there is Attorney General Jim Petro's counterproposal which takes form in his Citizens' Amendment for Prosperity or CAP amendment.

Read on to understand what the amendments are proposing to do and a few potential outcomes for us here in Columbus:

Link: Getting tough on government spending
Proposed government spending caps worrying economic development officers
Business First of Columbus
March 3, 2006
by Kevin Kemper

Economic development officials are sweating over two proposed amendments to Ohio's Constitution that they fear could curtail development plans and services...

...Such restrictions could prevent the city from funding projects such as the redevelopment of the Whittier peninsula and Northland Mall.

Milbourne said he worries development of Huntington Park, the baseball stadium planned for the city's Arena District, could be jeopardized.

Franklin County is planning to build a multimillion-dollar courthouse in downtown's RiverSouth area. If passed, the TEL amendment could cancel those plans, Wilson said...

"HUD gives Central Ohio homeless grants" Columbus Business First

While urban revitalization is what we are after, the other side of the issue is the displacement (in some cases) of the lower income individuals and families that once lived in areas that are seeing redevelopment. In some cases this process of gentrification also effects the homeless and affordable housing.

This topic typically flies under the radar but you can catch glimpses of it in the news, typically attached to changes in funding, as in the following article:

Link: HUD gives Central Ohio homeless grants
December 21st, 2005
Columbus Business First

The 2005 grants include:

• $3.2 million to Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority.
• $717,155 to Community Housing Network.
• $250,092 for National Church Residences.
• $105,000 for Maryhaven.
• $42,772 for Community Shelter Board.
• $260,680 for Friends of the Homeless Inc.