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Community Development Division
Quarterly Newsletter
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November 2024
Featured In This Quarter's Newsletter:
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The Future of Community Development | |
Community Development's RFPs / NOFAs | |
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Pitch & Empower for Small Businesses | |
The Future of Community Development in Hamilton County | |
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Hamilton County's Planning and Development Department is in the process of preparing the County's Consolidated Plan for the upcoming five programmatic years (2025-2029).
Every five years, Hamilton County is required to complete and submit a Consolidated Plan to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Consolidated Plan is designed to help Hamilton County assess its affordable housing and community development needs and market conditions, and to make data-driven, place-based investment decisions.
The consolidated planning process serves as the framework for a community-wide dialogue to identify housing and community development priorities that align with and focus funding from the Office of Community Planning and Development (CPD) formula block grant programs:
Overall, the Consolidated Plan will inform the County's community and economic development needs, strategies, and priorities.
| We Would Like to Hear from You! | |
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The Consolidated Plan affects many communities and organizations across the County, and input from the county's stakeholders and residents are essential to identifying needs and allocating resources.
Hamilton County's Community Development Division plans to hold multiple public hearings to gain the input of our communities' residents and stakeholders.
Please join us for our first public hearing:
Date: Thursday, November 21st, 2024
Time: 1pm ET
Location: Todd B. Portune Center for County Government,138 E Court Street, 6th Floor, Cincinnati, OH 45202
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Community Development's RFPs and NOFAs | |
HOME Investment Partnerships Program | |
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The Community Development Division is soon soliciting applications to award HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) funds to affordable housing development projects. HOME is the largest Federal block grant to state and local governments designed exclusively to create affordable housing for low-income households.
The County has available approximately $1.7 million to award in this program year for affordable housing projects. Through this HOME RFP, the Community Development Division will support development projects that will construct new affordable housing units in participating local governments in Hamilton County, outside the City of Cincinnati. Affordable housing development projects within the City of Cincinnati that address a special housing need such as permanent supportive housing (PSH) will be considered. The 2024 programmatic year HOME RFP will follow the below timeline:
More information regarding this program and RFP can be found on Community Development's website:
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Pilot Façade Improvement Program | |
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Hamilton County Community Development has rolled out a new pilot program in our 2024 programmatic year! The Countywide Façade Improvement Program (CFIP) is a resource to strengthen economic development throughout the County. Increasing the street appeal of properties can positively affect surrounding neighborhoods and boost the economy on a local level.
With a total of $50,000 available for 2024, the Community Development Division will utilize CDBG federal funding to support local for-profit businesses by offering up to $25,000 per grant to improve their commercial façades. The pilot program will initially prioritize the following communities:
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| Addyston | Arlington Heights | | Cheviot | Colerain Township | | Elmwood Place | Golf Manor | | Lincoln Heights | Lockland | | Mt. Healthy | North College Hill | | Norwood |
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Applications are accessible on the Community Development Division's webpage, as well as program guidelines. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis as of July 1, 2024, and will close once allocated funding has been awarded. | |
Nonprofit Services 2024 Awardees | |
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Hamilton County receives funding from HUD's CDBG Program each year to benefit low to moderate-income households and areas, create economic opportunities, provide safe and secure housing, and improve living environments for communities and residents. A portion of this is set aside each year for social services.
Each Spring, an RFP process is begun to award these funds to nonprofit social service providers that meet the objectives in the County’s Consolidated Plan. In previous RFPs, the County elected to accept proposals for eligible public services, such as: healthcare; childcare; workforce development; services for seniors; food access; foreclosure assistance; legal services; and more!
Our 2024 nonprofit services awardees include the following:
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| Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center | Food pantry services | | Immigrant and Refugee Law Center | Immigration legal services | | Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati | Construction training program | | CincySmiles Foundation | Maternal and early childhood oral health care program | | St. Vincent de Paul Charitable Pharmacy | Charitable Pharmacy - free pharmaceutical care | | Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati | Rental assistance / eviction and foreclosure prevention services | | Freestore Foodbank | Workforce development programs | | IKRON Corporation | Achieving Self-Sufficiency through Employment, Training, and Support (ASSETS) workforce development program | | |
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The 2025 Nonprofit Services RFP will be released in Spring of 2025. More details will be available in the coming months.
Please email Program Manager Gaines Brown, III, at gaines.brown@hamilton-co.org with any questions regarding this program and / or RFP.
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National Community Development Week | |
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We are already looking forward to celebrating National Community Development Week this coming spring!
National Community Development Week will take place April 21-25, 2025.
National Community Development Week was created in the 1980s to raise awareness about the National Community Development Association (NCDA) and the many services it provides to local governments, most notably the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program. You can explore more about the impact and importance of CDBG to community advancement and success by clicking the image above to access a recent report by the CDBG Coalition.
The NCDA has appointed the week of April 21-25, 2025, to honor, support, and educate communities about the unparalleled value and successes of these programs. Stay tuned for ideas on how you can celebrate with us this coming year!
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Revive + Thrive Home Repair Loan Program | |
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The Revive +Thrive Home Repair Loan Program is an initiative designed to help homeowners in Hamilton County, Ohio, make essential home repairs. The program provides affordable loans at a low 2% interest rate, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000, to cover the costs of necessary repairs.
The program is powered by LISC Greater Cincinnati and backed by a $2 million investment from the Hamilton County Commission through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG). The Greater Cincinnati Foundation provides additional support, and financing is handled by Warsaw Federal Bank. Trusted local partners like 211, Working in Neighborhoods (WIN), and Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati assist with the application process and oversee the construction and repairs, ensuring the work meets high standards.
The program is open to homeowners in Hamilton County, Ohio, outside of the City of Cincinnati who need to make essential home repairs. The program is particularly geared toward those who may struggle to qualify for traditional loans. The home must be the primary residence of the homeowner.
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The loan can be used for a wide range of urgent repairs that improve living conditions and add long-term value to the home. The following categories of repairs will be prioritized:
- Health and safety (lead, mold, asbestos);
- Existing code violations; and
- General improvements (non-cosmetic) such as roof repairs, plumbing, electrical work, heating and cooling systems, and other essential structural repairs.
To apply, homeowners can call the United Way of Greater Cincinnati 211 Helpline. The trained staff members will guide applicants through the screening and application process. Homeowners will have the opportunity to have one-on-one support through to navigate the process of collecting all required documentation for program participation.
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HUD Section 4 Capacity Building Grants
for CDCs and CHDOs
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As part of their commitment to community development and the development and preservation of affordable housing in underserved communities, Enterprise has pleased to announce an open call for Section 4 Capacity Building grant funding.
The purpose of the Section 4 program is to develop the capacity and technical capabilities of Community Development Corporations (CDCs) and Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) to carry out community development and affordable housing activities that benefit individuals and families with low incomes.
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Enterprise is now accepting applications from CDCs and CHDOs working in urban communities. The deadline to apply is December 6th, 2024.
Funding is made available through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 4 grant program. The purpose of this grant funding is to support CDCs and CHDOs with resources to promote organizational stability and increased capacity to carry out community development and affordable housing programs and business operations. You can watch the Q&A session below.
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Pitch & Empower - Celebrating
Small Businesses in Hamilton County
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After a countywide search, eight small businesses competed in Hamilton County’s Pitch & Empower event on October 22nd. All were welcome to witness the entrepreneurial talent from Hamilton County's thriving small business community as they pitched their ideas for growth. Each finalist was given three minutes to pitch their business to a panel of judges and a live audience to receive grants up to $5,000.
This unique opportunity was created under the direction of Hamilton County Commissioners, and advanced with the partnership of Hamilton County Office of Small Business, Alloy Development Co., The African American Chamber of Commerce, Main Street Ventures, and MORTAR.
Congratulations to the inaugural Pitch & Empower winners:
The STEM Lab - 1st place $5,000 grant recipient
Storms Secured Services - 2nd place $3,000 grant recipient
ART The Nail Shop - 3rd place $1,000 grant recipient AND Audience Vote $1,000 grant recipient
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Stay tuned to Hamilton County's Office of Small Business to learn about the steps to apply for next year’s competition and how you can bring your business to the spotlight.
By participating in Hamilton County's next Pitch + Empower event, you can be part of an evening that celebrates local entrepreneurship, demonstrate your support for small businesses shaping Hamilton County’s future, and take part in an “Idea Exchange” that opens doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and insights.
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Contact Us
Hamilton County Community Development Division
Telephone: 513-946-8236
Website
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