State News
DECEMBER 1, 2021
OHFA Releases 2022 AHFA and Additional Application Forms
OHFA has posted the 2022 Affordable Housing Funding Application for the 2022 Competitive Housing Tax Credit Round. Additionally, the Development Team Pre-Approval Form, The Design and Construction Features Form, and the Exception Request form have been posted. The last day to request a pre-application meeting with OHFA is December 1st. Please email QAP@ohiohome.org if you would like to schedule one.
NOVEMBER 8, 2021
Where Ohio’s larger cities stand with local ARPA
The Ohio Capital Journal has summarized where many of Ohio’s larger cities stand on investing their local American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding.
NOVEMBER 4, 2021
Homeowner’s Assistance Fund
Homeowners with gross annual incomes less than 150% of the household area median income who experienced a financial hardship due to a material reduction in income or material increase in living expenses associated with the coronavirus pandemic after January 21, 2020, MAY be eligible to apply for the Homeowners Assistance Fund through the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.
October 28, 2021
OHFA Posts QAP and Draft Multifamily Underwriting Guidelines
OHFA has posted the draft of the 2022 Multifamily Underwriting Guidelines and the draft of the 2022 Design & Architectural Standards. The drafts incorporate feedback received on the 2021 guidelines. The drafts will be posted for comment until November 24th. Comments must be sent to QAP@ohiohome.org.
OHFA has posted the 2022-2023 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). The QAP was approved by OHFA's Board on September 15th.
October 11, 2021
New Loan Programs to Help Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses
The new Women's Business Enterprise Loan Program and Ohio Micro-Enterprise Loan Program were both priority initiatives of the DeWine-Husted Administration included in the 2022-2023 operating budget, which was passed in June by the Ohio General Assembly.
Women’s Business Enterprise Loan Program: These loans will be offered at or below market rate and currently are up to 3%. The minimum loan amount is $45,000 up to a maximum of $500,000. Loans will be repaid within 10 years for equipment and machinery and 15 years for owner-occupied real estate. Businesses must be 51% ownership and control by women or be certified as a Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE).
Ohio Micro-Enterprise Loan Program: These loans will have a 0% interest rate. The minimum loan is $10,000 up to a maximum of $45,000. Loans will be repaid within five years for permanent working capital and seven years for equipment. Businesses must be certified as a Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) or a Women-owned Business Enterprise (WBE).
The loan programs will be administered by the Ohio Department of Development (Development) through the Minority Business Development Division. They join four other capital programs offered by Development: the Ohio Minority Business Bonding Program, the Ohio Minority Business Direct Loan Program, the Collateral Enhancement Program, and the Ohio Capital Access Program.
Information about the loans, including program guidelines and fact sheets, can be found online at Minority.Ohio.Gov.
October 11, 2021
Pandemic Grant Programs Still Available to Businesses
Many small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic still have access to four grant programs initiated by the DeWine-Husted Administration. The Ohio Department of Development is administering the grants. To apply, businesses can visit the For Businesses section at InvestingInOhiosFuture.Ohio.Gov.
The programs are:
Food and Beverage Establishment Grant: This program provides grants of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 to restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and other food and drink businesses. The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses will be determined by the business’ loss of revenue in 2020.
Lodging Grant: This program provides grants of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 to hotels, motels, and bed and breakfast operations. The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses will be determined by the business’ decline in occupancy rate in 2020.
Entertainment Venue Grant: This program provides grants of $10,000, $20,000, or $30,000 to theaters, music venues, spectator sports venues, museums, and other entertainment venues. The amount of individual grants to eligible businesses will be determined by the business’ loss of revenue in 2020.
New Small Business Grant: This program provides grants of $10,000 to small businesses that were established between Jan. 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2020.
Ohio Payday Lending Reform
In 2018, action was taken to combat the fact that Ohio had the highest payday lending interest rates in the country at nearly 600%. There was a citizen's ballot initiative, but the Ohio Legislature voted to approve HB 123. In July 2018, then Governor Kasich signed the bill making it law. Learn more.
Ohio Housing Trust Fund Expanded
June 2019: After nearly four years of working to increase state funding for local homeless and affordable housing programs, working closely with the COHHIO and the Home Matters to Ohio coalition, we finally convinced the legislature to expand the Ohio Housing Trust Fund!
An amendment included in the biennial budget (HB 166) that was signed last week will increase county recorder fees to add approximately $2.5 - $3.5 million per year to the Housing Trust Fund, the primary source of state funding for homeless and housing programs. While it's considerably less than we'd requested, it is significant because of the numerous challenges that were overcome. Additionally, the spending cap was eliminated. Since its inception in 2003 Trust Fund revenue above $50 million went to the state's general fund and not to affordable housing and community development.
It's important to note the numerous members that were especially helpful: Senate President Larry Obhof (R-Medina); Sen. Matt Dolan (R-Chagrin Falls); Sen. Jay Hottinger (R-Newark); Sen. Kirk Schuring (R-Canton); Speaker Larry Householder (R-Glenford); Rep. Bill Seitz (R-Green Twp.); Rep. Scott Oelslager (R-Canton); Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville); Rep. Jack Cera (D-Bellaire); Rep. Louis Blessing (R-Cincinnati). A thank you note/e-mail or an acknowledgement of their support when you see them in district is always appreciated and valued. We witnessed more legislators than in year's past recognize the state's growing affordable housing needs. We are grateful to everyone who pushed their legislators to support expanding the Housing Trust Fund over the last several years.
Thank you for your advocacy! This is a step in the right direction.
Supporters - For a list of supporters, click here.
OHTF Background – Click here for more information on history and programs served by the OHTF.
Economic Impact of the OHTF - In early 2017, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) released a study on the economic impact of the OHTF. To read the 2011 economic and job creation study, click here.