Akron's housing stock and neighborhoods are important assets. All types of housing - owner and rental, large and small, modest and expensive - must be available for the various needs of Akron's population, now and in the future.

The City of Akron has a comprehensive housing strategy designed to strengthen neighborhoods and maintain housing affordability. The strategy includes a wide range of activities: large and small scale neighborhood improvements, individual housing rehabilitation, emergency repairs, home ownership, new construction, code enforcement, demolition and homeless shelter assistance.

The City invests its primary efforts in a concentrated and comprehensive approach to neighborhood improvement rather than scattering assistance to individual properties around the City. This combines mandatory housing code enforcement, rehabilitation technical and financial assistance, public improvements, demolition and new construction.

By 1998, 26 neighborhoods have participated in the Neighborhood Improvement Program, affecting over 16,000 homes and apartments. Repair estimates and contractor selection is free. Grants and loans help owners pay for major repairs such as furnace, plumbing, electrical, windows, roof, etc. All streets, sidewalks, curbs, sewers, lighting in the areas are improved where necessary.

How are Neighborhoods Selected?

The City identifies larger neighborhoods (400-700 structures) appropriate for a targeted investment program. These neighborhoods are declining physically but have high owner occupancy levels and resident incomes sufficient to make investment in their housing.

The Neighborhood Housing Petition Program is for smaller neighborhoods (20-80 structures). Residents can secure the program benefits by circulating a petition in their neighborhood. If at least 60% of the property owners sign up, they may be eligible for rehabilitation grants and loans. Since the program's inception in 1995, 31 areas have been selected to receive assistance.

The Rental Rehabilitation Program offers financial assistance to rental property owners for the correction of housing code violations. This assistance is a matching grant of up to $5,000 for a single unit property, and up to $10,000 for a 2-4 unit property.

In Neighborhood Improvement Areas, the Home Purchase Incentive Program enables persons buying homes to use up to $2,000 to match their own down payment funds. Buyers agree to live in their house for at least five years to retain the entire grant amount without a repayment.

There is a need for new affordable housing. The Urban Neighborhood Development Corporation contracts with local builders for construction of quality homes on infill lots, currently priced between $65,900 and $75,900. Each home has three bedrooms, one and a half bathrooms, family room, full basement, two car garage, vinyl siding, landscaping and a concrete drive. These homes blend with the neighborhood architecture and bring new life to old neighborhoods.

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Developed by the City of Akron, MIS division
Last Updated 01/04/10