Building Stability: Home Repair & Healthy Housing in Hamilton County

Season 5, Episode 3 of Heart and Hustle in Hamilton County dives into how repairing and preserving homes strengthens entire communities. Hamilton County Administrator Jeff Aluotto and Media & Engagement Director Bridget Doherty talk with LaChé Roach of LISC Greater Cincinnati about Lead Safe Hamilton County and the Revive + Thrive Home Repair Loan Program. Together, these efforts are tackling urgent health and safety needs, keeping families in their homes, and protecting Hamilton County’s vital housing stock — a key step toward stabilizing neighborhoods and securing generational wealth.

To learn more about Hamilton County, Ohio, our services and job openings, visit hamiltoncountyohio.gov.

Transcript

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Welcome to Heart and Hustle in Hamilton County, a podcast dedicated to the people, policies and passion that power our local government. Each episode is a behind the scenes look at the heart and hustle that define Hamilton County's 49 unique communities. We explore creative solutions to public challenges and highlight how departments across the county step up to serve. I'm Jeff Aledo, county administrator, and I'm Bridget Doherty, media and engagement director. Bridget, we've been looking forward to this episode for a really long time. We've got a fantastic guest in studio. List. Greater Cincinnati is a nonprofit that partners with local leaders to build stronger and healthier neighborhoods in our community. Here in Hamilton County, list powers programs like lead Save Hamilton County, revive and thrive to keep families safe in their homes and preserve our housing stock. Lashay Roach is the senior program officer with Lisk and is joining us today. Is also a former Hamilton County alumni. So Lashay, welcome back. Thank you. Thank you very much. It's good to be here. It feels like home, so I appreciate the opportunity. We're always happy when alumni come back to Hamilton County and happier when they're doing great things out in the community. And taking their experience here in and leveraging out in other organizations. Absolutely. Lashay. Can you give our two listeners a quick overview of this Greater Cincinnati and how you partner with greater since with with Hamilton County specifically? Absolutely. So with Lisk, we have the opportunity to serve as a funding intermediary of sorts, but also, assist with public policy matters, specifically that of the housing staff. So we work closely with the Community Development Division. And more recently now the Hamilton County Board of Commissioners to leverage public and private dollars and reinvest them into the community, particularly when it comes to the housing staff. So we know that there is an affordable housing problem, not just in our community, but in our country right now. You can't turn over a newspaper or look at in social media or watch the news without hearing more and more about the challenges of our affordable housing problem. So help us understand why programs like Lead, Save Hamilton County and Revive and Thrive are so critical right now in that context. So they support the homeowners and the stock that we currently have. So if we keep our homes in good order, we manage our repairs. We do, a good job that reinvesting in our homeowners feels more safe and secure in the place that they're in. That gives us an opportunity to reduce long term costs. So this is an approach to preserve, like I said, what we have, here in our community, we have a an aging housing stock, a great portion of our homes are built before 1978, and even earlier than that. But as we talk more, I can give you more information about, some of the challenges that come along with these older homes. That sounds great. We're going to touch on the two programs. One LED safe. We'll start off with that one, and then we'll dive deeper into the one that's currently active. And, is taking applicants right now. So, let's safe can you kind of give us an idea of what kind of repairs you're making through this lead safe program and, and how are they impacting residents? Absolutely. So there was a $5.3 million investment from the Ohio Department of Development, which trickled through here to Hamilton County. We were able to leverage that funding to serve on those 90 or so homes that were, considered to be eligible. And, not only did we focus on lid repairs, this was also an opportunity to do supportive repairs to preserve any other actions that had taken place. So homes built before 1978. We're looking at new windows, doors, roof replacement soffit and fascia. We're looking at baseboards and trim, interior and exterior painting. And not only does this help with lid safety in the repair portion of this, but it also helps with energy efficiency and reducing those, electric bills hopefully, over time. So lots of repairs came out of this program. Tell us about the Forest Park woman that you were mentioning earlier. Yes. So we had a lovely homeowner who resided and or who currently resides in Forest Park. Up to 30 years. She has never received an an award. And following her led safe repair, she received her first beautification award this past year. So we are delighted by, the opportunity to be recognized for a beautiful home, but also a safe home so that the Shay. For those who have not heard about it, can you give us a quick overview of the Revive and Thrive Repair program, which differs from LED safe? Correct. Yes, there are some major differences here. So the LED Safe Hamilton County program was a grant program which has now been fully subscribed. So we are not taking any new applicants here. But with the Revive and Thrive program, it is actually a low interest loan program. So it has a fixed interest rate of 2%. Up to $25,000 can be borrowed by the homeowner based on their eligibility to repay. And we have an opportunity to not only help with, the home repair part of this, but the financial counseling, the credit counseling. This puts our homeowners in a better position to have access to financing that they may not have had opportunities to access before. And so you mentioned some, but, about the home repair is what type of repairs qualify for the for the program in which you are prioritized. Yes. So we have three areas that we prioritize. First is going to be health and safety. So think your mold lead is best. Is any safety concerns faulty wiring that sort of thing will be prioritized first. Then existing code violations. And many of our community leaders, as they're making sure our homes are in good order and the community is preserved, those code violations do tend to come out. We get an opportunity to support homeowners once they're sighted and then, immediately after general improvements. So non cosmetic. So if you have some paint chipping around your cabinets and you have water damage to the cabinets, we can get those repaired for you. But non cosmetic repairs are not or cosmetic repairs I'm sorry are not eligible for this program. So I read that you guys modeled this after Memphis and Detroit programs there. So what kind of lessons did you take from that? From those cities to bring here that it actually works? It's a model that does, support our homeowners not only in this community, but regionally. So in Detroit, this program has been going for ten years. And then Memphis has recently launched here. Followed by the Cincinnati market. And then Cleveland will soon on board here as, regional partner for the loan program model. That's fantastic. So it's kind of a bit of a, test case for, like, the whole state, like learning from other cities and then bringing it around Ohio. Yes. And understanding that our markets are very unique. While we have some of the same challenges, the aging housing stock, the, lack of investment into homes for repairs for many, many years. We get an opportunity to know what our residents, what our neighbors truly need. And that, is definitely, I would say here, locally modeled, by our supportive service approach to this program. One of the things I really love about this program, and in particular, having Lisk, be a part of it and managing for the county, is the ability to leverage partnerships with other entities and agencies. And I know in this particular program we've got habitat for humanity managing the repairs we've got working in neighborhoods, doing the some of the financial counseling that you had mentioned before, managing applications. Talk to us a little bit about those partnerships and the importance of those in making this a successful program of death. So we, one those partners, and their resources, we try to leverage those two. So I want to I want to make that point that if a homeowner chooses to engage with our program in, they're ineligible, our partners might have an opportunity to service those homeowners through another program. So that one is very important. 211, the United Way of Greater Cincinnati's help line, is the point of access for all homeowners 24 seven so that homeowner is laying there and we have a leaky ceiling at 2 a.m. that's keeping them awake. They can pick up the phone and call 211 in the moment. They will get, just a few questions as through our prescreening process and if they are deemed pre eligible, they will get access to the full application in that moment. Following that, working in neighborhoods then supports the homeowner with documentation collection. Ensuring that they have their title, all of their up to date pay stubs. And then from there we move forward to Warsaw federal. So that is, Cincinnati's first minority depository institution, but also has, very, elaborate footprint in community and economic development. So Warsaw Federal does our underwriting and then habitat for humanity of greater Cincinnati manages all the repairs. And the great part is our homeowners do not have to seek their own subcontractors. Habitat for humanity will do that for them. So a full service opportunity. Yeah. And we know how transformative and just life changing this can be on an individual basis for an individual homeowner who gets some of these repairs done. I think we've heard some of the anecdotal that that have come through. But let's talk a little bit about the impact of this on a community wide basis. When you think about just the the bigger goals of helping to stabilize our community, etc.. It's great for individuals and that's fantastic. And that's that's really a lot of the joy, I'm sure, that you personally take out of this. But there are bigger, broader goals too, from a community impact perspective. Talk about what you find. So rewarding from that perspective, I think it creates a chain reaction, right? That our neighbors, when they see us doing well, that they want to do well and progressed to. So we've gotten a lot of word of mouth referrals, in this program. And I think that that speaks volumes. People want their homes to be in good order, but they want their communities to look good, too. And housing is the epicenter of our wellness. So, it gives us an opportunity to advance safety. Those windows locked properly. Now, they're not raggedy, but we and then we also have that LED preservation. So there's safety components here for our neighbors. But we also have the economic development portion of this where we have safe and healthy homes, we have thriving businesses. And so there is a ripple effect here. I believe once we, get to, to start like at home so that it and it continues is not only just our neighbors and communities, but those jurisdictions next door that also feel the impact. Now, do we talk about who is eligible to apply for this and in what communities do you have to live in? All right. No, we have not talked about eligibility. So, I referenced that this program seeks out homeowners who would not have access to traditional financing. So in order to qualify for the program as it stands today, you must be a homeowner in a single family home located within Hamilton County, outside of the city of Cincinnati. Next, we are focused on, and sorry, homeowners who fall between the low to moderate income range. So 80% of the area median income or lower, if that's a household of one, we're looking at about roughly $60,000 or less is an earner, household of three, a little, over 80,000 or lower. And our credit score requirement is a 565 go score. So between between the poor and fair range. This gives us an opportunity, again, to service those homeowners who would not be looked at by your traditional bank, especially with the interest rate offered with this program. You get this low interest rate, and then you also get that wraparound service to help make sure that you're you're paying on time and all your, finances are in order. Yes. So if if someone is listening out there and they want to apply to the program, what steps should they take to do that? Pick up the phone and call 211. We make it that easy and find their our homeowners, our neighbors, their hand is held the entire way. We want to make sure that our homeowners are successful, that they're not taking on debt, that they can, manage on their own. We are truly in this process together, not only today, but there's up to ten years repayment or soft federal services the loan along after the program is over. That's awesome. And and, Bridget, I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge the fact that we have a special treat today. We are joined today by Deputy Assistant County Administrator Anson Turley, who on behalf of the county, has been shepherding this program since it got off the ground to answer. We are not going to let you off the hook today. I know you don't wear short a pair of headphones. So you're in here just, you know, barebones. But you do have access to a mic. So talk to us a little bit about you. You have watched this program grow from its inception. I remember our one on one meetings where we were talking about, well, it's it's just getting off the ground. There are some, you know, issues here, issues there. But it has really taken off. Now, both of these programs talk to us a little bit about what you find, so rewarding about seeing these programs launch in the community and what you are seeing in terms of the benefits from your perspective. You know, thank you very much, Jeff. But before I do that, I want to talk about how great a partner Lisk has been. But also Lashay I mean, you can't see us because it's a podcast, obviously, but Lashay answered all those questions without notes because she knows this program, these programs so well. I can't read my questions without notes. So that's very impressive. Yeah, exactly. And she has been responsive. I mean, there's never been a time that I haven't sent her a text or I had a question or called her that she has not responded immediately. She's just been just right there. You know, she's been working hard for the, the residents of Hamilton County and, she really wants to see these programs succeed. And one of the things that we talk about when we talk about the housing crisis is we never we talk about houses that need to be built. We need to build more affordable housing. Well, if we don't maintain the housing that we have, it doesn't do any good to build more houses and our elderly population, our population who are at risk, property taxes are rising, things like that, but they need to maintain those homes to make them livable, to make them safe. As Lashay has has pointed out on numerous times in this podcast, in order for that house to be of a benefit to them. And that's exactly what these programs do. Lead Safe is a wonderful program because it was a grant program, and we saw a lot of people who could take advantage of those, and it would help neighborhoods, help individual houses, but also communities revive and thrive. It's a little bit harder because, you know, it is a loan, but it's a low interest loan, and you can get those repairs that you need done so that your family can live in a safe and affordable place. And that's kind of the foundation of a community. You need to have safety, you need a place to live. And then from there you can build, you know, on other things like bring in economic development. So I just can't say how much I've enjoyed working with, with Lisk, with Lashay, with when, with Warsaw Federal, with all of them. They've they've just been great partners. And this has been a really successful project due to their efforts. So I, Anson sent me one of the voicemail that he got, thanking the county and thanking Lisk for the program, and it was possibly one of my favorites. And so we're going to take out this woman's name. But, if you could indulge for just a minute here. calling to say thank you so, so very much for sending such a respectable crew of young men to help me get my house back into the 21st century. It was such a good group of people. My God, they transformed my house into, a viable commodity in this community. I just want to say thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. They are such hard working people. So conscientious gentleman. So polite, so kind. Always trying to ensure that everything is doing exactly as, one it to be. And, they did everything. And then even more than, Well, that even I knew that could be done. They are just very knowledgeable, very intelligent, very respectable. Just an impressive group of young men. And just. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Always good to have not only respectable gentlemen, but also a good group of handsome young men to. That's always good to see. God is good. And he really performed a miracle with me, this time with this group. And thank you so very much for everything that you've done. God bless. That's awesome. Yeah. And made all the more But I don't remember making that particular run, but evidently she remembered me, so, I don't know that. That is awesome. Bridget, thank you for putting that out, because I think it it just shows. Then again, like we talked about earlier, the impact these can have, the community benefit is fantastic. But the individual impact, I think really just comes through in that particular voice message. So thanks for sharing that with us. Any lashay anything else that you would have that when you think about this particular program? Something that you would say, I know this is working because I know this is working because of messages like the one Bridget just shared, that home owners feel supported, they feel safe. They feel empowered. Those individual opportunities are what truly, I think make these programs go, We don't think about what home feels like and looks like for other individuals, but we know what it feels like for us. And what we expect in our own area. So, I appreciate hearing that over, especially outside of the office. It it empowers me to continue to do the work. Awesome, fantastic. And such a great group of folks at Lisk. I mean, when this airs, we also had Liz come in to a commission meeting today, Kristen Baker to talk about the partnership so far and the successes that we've seen with Love Safe and and the continued success of Revive and Thrive. And so we're going to put all this information also on our website. So if you look at Hamilton County, ohio.gov, you can put in the word list in the search bar, Revive and Thrive. And this program will come up with the toolkit and what you need to know. What are the parameters. And who are the partners and what you can expect to get out of this program. Also, as Lashay said, two and one, it's been a fantastic resource. So again, you can call 211 or go to our website, Hamilton County, ohio.gov for more information on the program. So there's a really cool book out right now I'm just starting to read. It's called Who Is Government and it's about, the people doing the work of government actually focusing more on the federal sector. But the reason I love this podcast is because if you listen to this podcast, you learn about who is government in Hamilton County and the impressive work that they're doing to make our communities better, our residents safer, and just the entire county, a better place to live, work and play. So, let's Jay Roach and center Turley. Thank you, thank you, thank you. To repeat the words of our caller, for everything that you've done to make this program working to make Hamilton County a better place. And thanks to you for listening to episode three of season five of Heart and Hustle and Hamilton County. Thanks to Bridget Doherty, my co-host. And to learn more about Lisk, check out our website at Hamilton County, ohio.gov and type in revive or Lisk in the search bar. And don't forget, as always, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other providers. You can find the podcast on our website. Hamilton County, ohio.gov on the County administrators page. And until next time, keep living your best life in Hamilton County and we will see you next time on Heart and Hustle.