Partnership Creates New Affordable Homeownership Opportunities for Residents
(COLUMBUS) October 29, 2024—The Central Ohio Community Land Trust (COCLT) and Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families (HNHF) initiative today announced the completion and sale of 28 new affordable homes in Linden. The homes are part of a five-year commitment to bring homeownership opportunities to Linden residents.
The COCLT and Healthy Homes, the affordable housing arm of Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families, have also sold 14 new homes on the South Side. This joint effort began in 2019 and has resulted in affordable homes for working individuals and families with an average annual income of $50,000. Currently, 85% of residents are first-time homebuyers, and 85% are minority heads of household.
“Franklin County, like much of the U.S., is facing an affordable housing crisis. Addressing this situation in the near term will require strong partnerships like this one,” said Curtiss L. Williams, Sr., president/CEO of Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation (COCIC). “Together, we’re able to bring the dream of homeownership and the health and wellness benefits that come with it to our neighbors in Linden and the South Side.”
The partnership is preparing for its next phase of new homes in both neighborhoods.
COCIC, through the COCLT, has received national attention for creating a unique and meaningful solution to permanently affordable housing. By taking ownership of and rebuilding upon previously abandoned, foreclosed and blighted properties, COCIC is working to turn unsafe or unproductive properties back into NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 29, 2024 Contacts: Curtiss L. Williams, Sr. President/CEO COCIC: The Franklin County Land Bank (614) 724-4938 [email protected] vibrant, tax-contributing homes in the community. The result is a net positive for individuals, families and neighborhoods.
“Health begins at home and in the neighborhood,” said Gretchen West, executive director of Healthy Homesat Nationwide Children’s. “Families need access to stable and affordable housing to lead healthy lives. This partnership has made home ownership possible for families in Linden to help them build a better future.”
About the COCLT
The Central Ohio Community Land Trust, a subsidiary of COCIC, is committed to creating more affordable housing options for individuals in underserved and transitioning neighborhoods, bridging the affordability and racial homeownership gaps that exist today in Franklin County. You can learn more about the Central Ohio Community Land Trust and view our homes at www.coclt.org.
About COCIC: Franklin County Land Bank
COCIC is a non-profit organization formed by the Franklin County Commissioners in 2012 to improve the quality of neighborhoods and communities within Franklin County. More information about COCIC can be found at www.cocic.org.
About Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families
Nationwide Children’s Hospital began a comprehensive initiative — Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families (HNHF) — more than 15 years ago to improve community health and wellness with increased access to affordable housing and economic and employment opportunities for residents of two Columbus, Ohio neighborhoods. HNHF launched in 2008 on the South Side, and was expanded to include the Linden neighborhood in 2019. Healthy Homes, the affordable housing arm of HNHF, has impacted nearly 900 homes through home ownership or rentals below market rates and home repair grants – more than 600 of those homes are on the South Side. For more information, visit healthyhomescolumbus.org.
