Public Policy Development

Helpful Links and Documents for Advocates

OCDCA advocates on behalf of CDCs and their communities to create public policies and regulations that will enable CDCs to be successful in their mission of revitalizing communities. OCDCA focuses in particular on housing, micro- and small business development, commercial revitalization, asset-development and community development.

2009 Policy Agenda

"Restoring Ohio's Communities" is OCDCA's advocacy initiative for 2009. This agenda was developed through conversations and meetings with members throughout the state during 2008 and 2009. Restoring Ohio's Communities will focus on the following areas:

  1. Protect homeowners and tenants against foreclosure.   OCDCA supports legislation that would enact such protections as advance notice of foreclosure, registration and regulation of servicers, a moratorium on foreclosure, eviction protection for tenants in foreclosed properties who are in good standing, and a foreclosure filing fee that would support foreclosure counseling services.
  2. Strengthen community-based commercial revitalization efforts.   CDCs have developed many outstanding commercial development projects that bring needed retail and offices to neighborhoods throughout the state. In particular, CDCs have been successful in creating development projects that create opportunities for minority businesses and act as a catalyst for economic development in underserved communities.

    With limited lending available for neighborhood commercial projects, OCDCA has requested legislative approval for CDCs to become eligible borrowers in the state minority business enterprise loan program, with a focus on minority businesses and neighborhoods.
  3. Prevent foreclosed and nuisance vacant properties from destabilizing communities.   Foreclosures and vacant properties are blighting neighborhoods throughout the state. Vacant and nuisance properties are associated with increased crime, and decline in property values. They pose major challenges to CDC redevelopment initiatives.

    OCDCA supports legislation to increase the standard of care by owners of foreclosed, vacant and nuisance properties so that existing property owners and neighborhoods are not negatively impacted by such properties.
  4. Restore vacant and foreclosed properties and vacant land to productive use by strengthening the state's land bank statute.   OCDCA supports reform of Ohio's land bank statute to allow local governments the same authority as was given to Cuyahoga County through Substitute SB 353A in 2008.

    Land bank reform will allow local governments to aggressively address disposition of vacant and nuisance properties and provide a place to hold vacant land for future redevelopment. CDCs look forward to working closely with land banks to identify responsible owners for vacant properties, develop or create green space with vacant land, and demolish hazardous structures.
  5. Provide greater support for affordable housing for future generations by lifting the cap on revenues dedicated to the Ohio Housing Trust Fund.   In 2005, the legislature approved a dedicated revenue source for the Ohio Housing Trust Fund but placed a cap on annual revenues of $50 million.

    OCDCA, in concert with other housing advocacy organization in Ohio, asks that the cap be lifted on the OHTF in the 2010-2011 budget so that all funding can be dedicated in future years to affordable housing.
  6. Increase support for asset-development through Individual Development Accounts and micro-enterprise.   Micro-enterprise programs assist individuals to start or expand small businesses. Such programs provide training, business assistance and loans to help unemployed, underemployed and low-income persons secure employment to support their families.

    IDAs are a proven tool to assist individuals to learning strong savings habits, save towards purchase of a high-value asset, like homeownership, business start-up and education, and repair their credit.

    OCDCA seeks increased state support for asset-development programs to allow more Ohioans the opportunity to experience asset ownership, increased financial stability and employment.