ASHLAND — A recently awarded state grant will help rehabilitate or repair 16 homes in Ashland County.
The Ashland County Board of Commissioners accepted a $750,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Development during its meeting March 5.
Those funds — administered by the Ohio Regional Development Corporation — are to be used for the Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program.
Ashland County will rehabilitate seven owner-occupied homes and repair nine homes using grant funding. The county will also include a fair housing component.
According to the commissioner’s office, $435,000 will be spent to rehabilitate the seven owner-occupied homes and $225,000 will be used to repair nine additional homes.
The county also partners with the city of Ashland on this initiative.
There currently is not a particular amount of the grant funds that is specifically set aside for the city, Ashland Mayor Matt Miller said March 5.
“We (the city and county) receive more money by teaming up with the county to administer the program than if we were to apply for the money as separate entities,” the mayor said.
Ashland County, in partnership with the city, received the same grant amount through the CHIP program in 2024.
Who is eligible for funds? How to apply
Any Ashland County resident can apply for CHIP funds awarded to the county. But the program is income based and intended for low income homeowners.
Mindy Shrimplin, a housing specialist with the Ohio Regional Development Corporation, said applicant eligibility is based on income limits and persons in family (number in household).
Below is a table, provided by Shrimplin, breaking down the income limits for Ashland County homeowners interested in applying for funds.
Shrimplin said funds are typically not released until May, but it’s not abnormal to begin receiving applications as early as April.
The program is administered through ORDC. Homeowners interested in applying can contact Shrimplin directly at (740)-622-0529.
Applications can also be picked up in person at the county commissioners’ office, 110 Cottage St., or the city of Ashland Municipal Building, 206 Claremont Ave., she said.
Each amount allocated to an eligible applicant project is determined on a case-by-case basis, Shrimplin said, determined by the scope of work.
More about CHIP
The grant was announced in January as part of $21.6 million in funding to 29 communities statewide. The CHIP program partners with these communities to preserve and improve Ohio’s housing stock through various housing-related initiatives, such as home renovation and repair and rental assistance, among others, according to ODOD.
CHIP program grants in the current cycle are funded by the federal Community Development Block Grant and HOME Investment Partnership programs.
“A safe, stable place to call home is the foundation of strong families and strong communities,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in January.
“Through these grants, we’re helping more communities repair aging homes, expand access to affordable housing, and ensure Ohio’s families — no matter where they live — have the opportunity to put down roots and build a better future,” DeWine said.