By: Jesse Davis
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
jesse@thevillagereporter.com
The Delta Village Council voted during a special meeting in late December to partner with the Maumee Valley Planning Organization on a grant application for the Delta Acres development.
A total of $10 million of funding is available through the Ohio Department of Development’s Residential Economic Development District Program for individual counties, townships, or municipal corporations located at least partially within such a district and for parcels within a 20-mile radius of a major economic development project.
MVPO Executive Director Dennis Miller and Economic Development/RLF Director Nikki Reese – joined by Bill Rufenacht on behalf of Delta Acres – addressed the council about the opportunity, breaking down the program requirements.
According to Miller, the intent of the program is to expand the availability of affordable housing throughout the state. He said the village is encouraged to adopt pro-housing policies that will promote affordable housing.
Miller said examples were smaller lots in zoning ordinances, speeding up the permitting process so the developer can create housing in less time, smaller setback requirements, reducing or having lesser open space requirements, and reducing tap rates for developers.
“It’s your choice, we’re just gonna give you options,” Miller said.
He said each grant application will be graded using a policy scoring matrix, where points are assigned based on the number and type of zoning policies implemented. Applicants with the highest score, he said, will be selected.
In addition, homes in the project area have to be affordable by a buyer who makes less than 120 percent of the median household income, or roughly $83,600.
The grant application is due January 16, with a subsequent 90 days to resolve any policy issues.