Homes On The Hill Community Development Corporation

STRENGTHENING NEIGHBORHOODS BY PROVIDING QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES OF PRIMARILY LOW/MODERATE INCOMES.

HOUSING & FINANCIAL CAPABILITIES COUNSELING: HOTH PREPARES PEOPLE TO BE SUCCESSFUL HOMEOWNERS AND RENTERS THROUGH ITS FREE HUD-APPROVED HOUSING AND FINANCIAL COUNSELING PROGRAMS. IN MARCH 2020, HOTH BEGAN TO PROVIDE THESE SERVICES BY TELEPHONE OR VIDEO CONFERENCING AS A RESULT OF THE CDC GUIDELINES RELATED TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. DURING THE YEAR, HOTH PROVIDED FINANCIAL COUNSELING AND EDUCATION TO 395 CENTRAL OHIO HOUSEHOLDS. PARTICIPANTS SET THEIR OWN FINANCIAL GOALS, TRACKED THEIR PROGRESS, AND DEVELOPED SMART MONEY HABITS. AS RESULT: 289 HOUSEHOLDS DEVELOPED A SUSTAINABLE HOUSEHOLD BUDGET, 34 HOUSEHOLDS WORKED TO PREVENT FORECLOSURE; AND 11 HOUSEHOLDS WORKED TO IMPROVE THEIR RENTAL SITUATION. HOTH ALSO PROVIDED HOMEBUYER EDUCATION VIA THE TELEPHONE TO OHIO HOME BUYERS WHO HAD ACCESSED PROGRAMS OF THE OHIO HOUSING FINANCE AGENCY. HOTH ALSO ASSISTED HOUSEHOLDS APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FROM IMPACT CAC. HOTH PROMOTED FAIR HOUSING TO 290 HOUSEHOLDS BY PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT FAIR HOUSING, FAIR LENDING, AND/OR ACCESSIBILITY RIGHTS. THE LANDLORD ENGAGEMENT ACTION NETWORK (LEAN) PROVIDES EDUCATION AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR LANDLORDS OWNING PROPERTIES IN THE HILLTOP NEIGHBORHOOD. THROUGH LEAN, HOTH WORKS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF RENTAL HOUSING IN THE AREA.

HOUSING DEVELOPMENT: WORKING PRIMARILY IN THE HILLTOP NEIGHBORHOOD AND PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP, HOTH PROVIDES LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE OR TO RENT A HOME THAT IS SAFE, DECENT, AND AFFORDABLE. HOTH USES TWO STRATEGIES TO PROVIDE FOR AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP: COMPLETING COMPREHENSIVE REHABS OF EXISTING HOUSES AND BUILDING NEW IN FILL HOUSES ON VACANT LOTS. DURING 2020, HOTH SOLD 3 REHABBED HOUSES AND 1 NEW BUILD HOUSE. IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHERS, HOTH ALSO COMPLETED CONSTRUCTION OF 6 SINGLE FAMILY HOMES FOR RENT ALL OF WHICH WERE FULLY LEASED IN OCTOBER 2020. AT DECEMBER 31, 2020, HOTH WAS COMPLETING CONSTRUCTION ON 3 HOUSES FOR SALE. HOUSES GENERALLY INCLUDE FEATURES THAT IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY, SUSTAINABILITY, AND ACCESSIBILITY. CONSTRUCTION COSTS ARE SUBSIDIZED TO MAKE THE HOUSES AFFORDABLE TO LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS: HOTHS COMMUNITY PROGRAMS SEEK TO IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN THE HILLTOP. HOTH COORDINATES THE BELVIDERE HEALTHY LIVING GARDEN. IN 2020, HOTHS VISTA VOLUNTEER OBTAINED DONATED PLANTS AND ENGAGED WITH YOUNG ADULT VOLUNTEERS TO MAINTAIN THE GARDEN. HOTH SUPPORTS NEIGHBORHOOD GROUPS WITH THEIR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE HILLTOP BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS BEAN DINNER, SOUTH CENTRAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT, SUMMAR JAM WEST, AND THE WESTLAND AREA BUSINESS ASSOCIATIONS ANNUAL AUCTION EVENT; THESE WERE SUSPENDED IN 2020 BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.