ASHLAND — The Ashland land bank on Friday approved the partial funding of an independent, comprehensive housing study proposed in February.
Friday’s unanimous approval came despite concerns raised when proponents — board members Tiffany Meyer and Matt Miller — presented it a couple of months ago.
Land bank board members Burton Williams and Angie McQuillen said in February they don’t agree partially funding a housing study fits into the quasi-governmental entity’s mission.
Williams was not present during Friday’s meeting. McQuillen voted in favor on Friday. She said in a separate interview she was comfortable with the decision.
“I just know other counties, and the Ohio Land Bank Association president, they’re all looking for different ways to improve housing,” she said.
The Ohio Land Bank Association acts as an advocate for “shaping policies and legislation related to land banking in Ohio,” according to its website.
The Ashland land bank’s financial obligation for the housing study will amount to around $13,000, depending on an agreed upon price.
Meyer, a broker with Howard Hanna and land bank board member, said the Ashland Board of Realtors applied for a grant to cover the housing study. She’s also part of ABR.
ABR received a total of $11,250 in state and national grants.
DiSalvo Development Advisors will perform the study.
The Dublin, Ohio firm charges a $25,000 rate.
According to a memo sent to the Ashland Board of Realtors, the study will “incorporate a comprehensive market analysis while presenting the findings and opportunities in a way that speaks directly to builders and developers and ultimately will increase the likelihood of development.”
What about affordable housing?
Jerry Strausbaugh, executive director of Appleseed Community Mental Health Center, raised a concern Friday regarding the housing study’s consideration of affordable housing.
Strausbaugh also serves on the Ashland County Homeless Coalition, a group of social service providers, community leaders and others aimed at finding solutions for residents experiencing homelessness.
Specifically, Strausbaugh asked the land bank board if DiSalvo will consider needs for supportive, low-income and subsidized housing.
“I just know we have about 80, 90 on our waiting list,” he said. “So there is certainly a need for housing that could accommodate people that have limited means or fixed income.”
Land bank board members referred Strausbaugh to DDA’s memo, which points to its commitment to conducting a housing survey that considers:
- apartment and single-family rentals
- for-sale housing (homes, townhomes, villas, condominiums)
- senior-care housing
“I’m glad Ashland County’s doing well. I’m glad that there’s high-end properties being built and considered. Boutique hotels — that’s all wonderful,” Strausbaugh said.
“But I just know that the people we work with at Appleseed Community Mental Health Center need a place to live.”
He said he knows of some people that have been living in tents.
Strausbaugh is concerned about the land bank’s role in demolishing homes considered to be “inhabitable” that could be fixed up for those in precarious housing situations.
Miller, who is also Ashland’s mayor, said he understands, but pushed back on the perception the land bank demolishes homes without regard of who might be able to live in them.
“The land bank does not go into the business of tearing down houses that are habitable,” he said.
Strausbaugh said there are people who might have a different idea of habitable and inhabitable.
“There’s a demographic in Ashland that is very low income, were talking about people that make … less than $12,000 a year,” he said.
“They’re here. They’re not mobile … And if we don’t have places for them to live, I am concerned.”
It could take DDA up to four months to complete the study, according to its memo.