LISC reports lead-hazard repairs and loan program progress; loan uptake limited so far

LISC Greater Cincinnati told Hamilton County Commissioners on Sept. 23 that the county—s Lehi Safe program and the Revive & Thrive home-repair loan program are making measurable repairs to aging housing stock but that loan uptake is developing more slowly than planners expected.

Kristen Baker, LISC executive director, said the Lehi Safe Hamilton County program is a $5.3 million investment from the Ohio Department of Development administered for the county by LISC. The grant-funded work focuses on homes built before 1978 and addresses lead-hazard risks by repairing windows, doors, siding, roofing and performing interior and exterior paint work. Baker said the program has reached concentrations of work in St. Bernard, Norwood, Bond Hill, Avondale, North College Hill, Mount Healthy and other parts of the county and that the average investment per home has been "over $50,000." She told the commissioners the program should be completed well within the state—s time frame but flagged that recent state budget decisions have cut some ongoing lead-hazard funding.

Baker also described the Hamilton County Revive and Thrive Home Repair Loan Program, a $2 million loan pool funded with a mix of county ARPA and Community Development Block Grant money and administered by LISC. Partners include United Way 2-1-1 (intake), Habitat for Humanity (construction management), Warsaw Federal (financial partner and minority depository institution) and the Greater Cincinnati Foundation (loan match capital). Key program features Baker highlighted: a minimum credit score of 560 for eligibility, loan-to-value up to 150 percent, flexible debt-to-income limits (loan payments targeted not to exceed 35 percent of income), terms up to 10 years and an interest rate of 2 percent.

Baker laid out recent program statistics: 312 homeowners have cleared basic eligibility screening via 2-1-1; 55 complete applications had been submitted as of two weeks before the presentation; 10 homeowners were in underwriting and LISC reported four loans approved with 22 applications denied at underwriting for reasons such as credit score, debt-to-income ratio, second mortgages or slightly exceeding income limits. Baker said the program was sized to support 90 homeowners with loans and that Warsaw Federal underwrites and refers homeowners back to Working in Neighborhoods for counseling when credit or title problems arise.

The presentation included several operational clarifications: homeowners must be current on property taxes or on an approved payment plan and must have or obtain homeowner's insurance (which can be escrowed into the loan payment); homes built before 1978 require lead inspection and clearance that Hamilton County Public Health helps provide; title issues can be addressed through legal-aid partners for heirs' property matters.

Baker urged more outreach and said LISC has used social media, public-access TV segments and targeted direct mail (planned mailings to ZIP code 45231) in addition to partnering with jurisdictions to distribute flyers and door hangers. She told commissioners, "we would support 90 homeowners with loans," and noted that some homeowners decline loans because they do not want to take on debt. Baker asked commissioners and county staff to help amplify program outreach. The Revive & Thrive program website is hamiltoncountyhome.org and intake begins by calling 2-1-1.

Commissioners asked about remaining capacity; Baker said the loan fund was sized for 90 loans and that current approvals were consistent with national experience for similar programs. She and LISC staff emphasized that Lehi Safe is a one-time grant and that the county should plan for ongoing funding needs to address lead hazards beyond the current award.