Despite some uncertainty surrounding the tax credit program that is funding the project, Homeport is moving ahead with plans to build 33 new single family homes in Milo-Grogan.
The homes will be lease-purchase, meaning that qualified residents will be eligible to purchase the homes after a 15-year rental period. To qualify to rent the homes, residents would need to make less than 60 percent of the average median income.
All but one of the parcels that the new houses will be built on are being purchased from either the City of Columbus or the Franklin County land banks. The sites are scattered throughout the residential portion of the neighborhood; between Cleveland and St Clair avenues, both north and south of East Fifth Avenue.
Steve Nichols, Manager of Public Relations for Homeport, said that the plan is to start construction in June, meaning the first homes could be completed by October, with all 33 homes finished by some time next summer.
Homeport’s President and CEO, Bruce Luecke, said that this project is likely only the beginning of the organization’s efforts in the neighborhood.
“We hope to do more…we’ve been working very closely with the Area Commission and others in the neighborhood,” said Luecke. “We’re still working on the details, but we hope to do even more for homes and for home owners that live in that area.”
All renderings via Berardi+Partners. Map provided by Homeport.