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Rural aging agencies, LeadingAge Ohio warn changes to housing‑trust fees would hurt seniors
Summary
Area agencies on aging and LeadingAge Ohio told the Senate Health Committee that House language diverting county recorder fees from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund to counties would reduce pooled funding used for home modifications and service coordination that help seniors age in place.
Representatives of Area Agencies on Aging and LeadingAge Ohio told the Senate Health Committee the House version of HB96 would change how county recorder fees are allocated and could disrupt the Ohio Housing Trust Fund that subsidizes home modifications, accessibility upgrades and service coordination for older adults.
Theresa Reid Powell, Director of Community Services at Area Agency on Aging District 7, described how the Housing Trust Fund supports minor home repairs and ramps that allow seniors in rural counties to remain at home and said their agency matched state dollars with other resources to complete 55 projects during a recent grant period. She warned that county‑level control of recorder fees, as proposed in the House, would reduce the state’s ability to pool modest amounts and match funds for smaller counties.
Susan Wallace of LeadingAge Ohio asked the Senate to preserve the pooled Ohio Housing Trust Fund because it enables coordinated projects and helps rural counties access resources that larger counties generate through recorder fees. LeadingAge Ohio also testified on home‑and‑community‑based services rate review and workforce shortages in personal care and home‑health aides.
Why it matters: Witnesses said the pooled trust fund produces better value for small rural counties and helps older adults remain independent; changing allocation rules would likely reduce service reach and efficiency.
No committee votes were recorded during the hearing.
