OHFA Promotes Programs; Honors Sustainable Housing During Homeownership Month
Offering initiatives that help low- to moderate-income families purchase their own home continues to be a high priority for OHFA. National Homeownership Month afforded the perfect occasion to expand efforts to reach those who need the Agency's resources the most. Partnerships with various media outlets across the state allowed OHFA the opportunity to air radio, television and Internet advertisements promoting homebuyer and down payment assistance programs along with foreclosure prevention initiatives. Agency team members connected directly with potential customers by participating in various community events.
As part of this dedicated month, OHFA honored quality programs and initiatives across the affordable housing industry that demonstrated excellence and innovation. Winners of the Sustainable Homeownership Excellence Awards (SHEA) were selected from 13 nominations judged on a variety of factors that exemplify sustainable homeownership, including: innovation, length of program, geographical reach, coordination with local, state and/or national partners, and the ability to be replicated.
Recognized during the June OHFA Board meeting, the four SHEA winners are:
Arbor Village Subdivision – The three-phase single family homeownership project in Washington Court House was developed and coordinated by the Community Action Commission of Fayette County. Homebuyers are able to earn an average of $20,000 in sweat equity in the home, as well as obtain long-term subsidized mortgages based on the household's income. Building on the success of the first two phases of the Arbor Village Subdivision, the CAC of Fayette County is already replicating this program model in two additional counties to help low- to moderate-income families.
Foreclosure Prevention Program – Helping residents keep their homes is vital as the foreclosure crisis continues. Empowering and Strengthening Ohio's People (ESOP) provides mortgage foreclosure prevention counseling and assists in preventing lender foreclosure filings, unnecessary sheriff sales and minimizes other actions that result in vacant, vandalized or deteriorated properties. Since April 2008, over 3,550 Ohio families have been served through this program with nearly 80 percent of those households remaining in their home.
Green View Estates – The first "green" subdivision in Columbus, Green View Estates was developed by MiraCit Development Corporation as part of the city's "Get Green, Columbus" program. Built to meet rigorous environmental standards, each home features durable energy-efficient construction in addition to being equipped with Energy Star-rated appliances. During the development phase, the goal was to convey that high performance, or "green" housing, could be built affordably both in up-front costs and monthly utility bills. An average of 3,900 kilowatt hours of electricity has been saved by homeowners each year.
Homeownership Sustainability Initiative – Through housing counseling programs, participants receive the information they need to improve their financial lives and prepare to purchase their own home. Education is the cornerstone for the Homeownership Sustainability Initiative offered by Columbus Housing Partnership (CHP) and teaches the fundamentals of the homebuying process along with basic homeowner responsibilities. CHP also provides down payment assistance, financial fitness workshops and default prevention assistance to its clients.