Elyria City Council on July 7 held preliminary discussion about a certified notice from The Finch Group (doing business as TFG Housing Resources) that it is applying to the Ohio Housing Finance Authority (OHFA) to finance substantial rehabilitation of Wilkes Villa and convert the property from public housing to Section 8 tax‑credit financing.

Law Director Derry said the notice was sent by certified mail on or about June 18 as required by Ohio law and that council has the opportunity to submit written comments or objections to OHFA within 30 days signed by a majority of voting council members. Derry recommended referring the matter to the joint Community Development and Finance committee on July 14 so the committees can ask the Housing Authority and developer questions and, if appropriate, prepare timely comments.

Council agreed to request that the administration invite the Lorain Metropolitan Housing Authority (LMHA) or the Finch Group to the July 14 joint meeting. Council members requested the clerk’s office send the invitations and copy council on correspondence.

No formal objection was filed during the meeting; council scheduled the July 14 joint meeting to review the proposed conversion, its community impacts, and whether to submit comments to OHFA within the statutory window.