MANSFIELD — It’s been nearly 18 months since the Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority (MMHA) closed its Section 8 voucher waiting list. Now, MMHA director Steve Andrews sees a reopening date on the horizon. “In the next three to four months, we should be down to a number where we might be ready to reopen the […]
Housing
News on housing developments, affordability and efforts to address housing insecurity and shortages in Richland County and beyond.
Posted inCommunity Development
Kaleidoscope Speaker Series: What you need to know about poverty and housing inequality in Richland County
Local organizations discuss relevancy of upcoming Kaleidoscope Speaker Series event — which will focus on poverty and housing inequality.
Posted inHousing
Couple restoring historic home finds lead in an unexpected place
MANSFIELD — Jordon and Talon Baker weren’t sure if they wanted to stay in Mansfield when they got married eight years ago. The young couple joked that if they did stay in their hometown, they wanted to live somewhere special. “I always wanted a Victorian on Park Avenue,” Talon said. “That was the thing — if […]
Posted inSolutions
From Marshfield to Mansfield: How a renter education course could lower barriers to housing
WOOD COUNTY, Wisc. — Brittney Brock’s favorite thing about her home is the neighborhood. Her street is quiet and safe. Her sons can play freely in the yard. That’s not something she takes for granted. “I have a pretty nasty charge that makes people a little more reluctant to rent to me,” she said. Brock moved […]
Posted inNews
Housing authority: Marijuana use at home still illegal for tenants with vouchers
MANSFIELD — It’s now legal to use recreational marijuana in Ohio, but if you live in publicly-funded housing, things get a little more complicated. That’s because both recreational and medicinal marijuana use are illegal under federal law. Housing choice vouchers (Section 8) and other types of housing assistance are funded through the U.S. Department of Housing […]
Posted inNews
Emergent wetland causes slight delay to affordable housing project
MANSFIELD — Muddy conditions caused by rain and snowmelt have put a temporary damper on the county’s newest affordable project. The Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority (MMHA) is undergoing an extension project at Turtle Creek Apartments. The project will add 120 new affordable housing units adjacent to the existing senior complex. Last month, Executive Director Steve […]
Posted inNews
Rent Smart: housing authority looks to add tenant training
MANSFIELD — Finding a place to rent is hard enough. For tenants who receive government assistance, it can be even more challenging. Section 8 voucher holders may face stigmas from landlords who don’t want to deal with a government agency or fear tenants won’t hold up their end of the bargain. That’s why Steve Andrews, […]
Posted inNews
Housing authority flooded with emergency housing payments applications
MANSFIELD — Steve Andrews knows there is a need for emergency housing assistance in Mansfield. But when the Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority (MMHA) received funds for an emergency aid program, even he was surprised at how quickly applications arrived. The Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority (MMHA) recently received approximately $35,000 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds […]
Posted inCommunity Development, Housing
Richland County Foundation funds housing projects
MANSFIELD – The Richland County Foundation Board of Trustees approved $1,527,817 in grants to nonprofit organizations during its December meeting. Projects at area nonprofit organizations that received grants from a combination of unrestricted, and field of interest funds include: Area Agency on Aging A grant was awarded to the Area Agency on Aging for increased […]
Posted inNews
Mansfield housing authority pulling names from Section 8 waitlist
MANSFIELD — The Mansfield Metropolitan Housing Authority (MMHA) has begun pulling names from its waitlist for the first time in almost 13 months. The waiting list remains closed, but MMHA executive director Steve Andrews said Section 8 voucher use has dropped enough to begin contacting people at the top of the list. “We still have […]