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Oxford approves subgrant for TOPS facility; local nonprofit announces $136,000 eviction-diversion award
Summary
Council approved a subgrant agreement to release ARPA construction funds for Tallawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPS). During public comment TOPS representatives announced a separate $136,000 eviction diversion and housing-stability grant to support hiring and tenant-rights work over 18 months.
Oxford City Council on May 20 approved a subgrant agreement to release federal ARPA construction funds to Tallawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPS) as the nonprofit nears building-permit stage for a new community service facility.
The grant is part of earlier ARPA awards: Butler County awarded $1.5 million for construction and the city previously authorized $300,000 in ARPA funds to cover design and engineering costs, Assistant City Manager Jessica Green said. "In 02/2023 ... we applied for $1,500,000 from Butler County Commissioners for ARPA funds," Green told council, adding the city and TOPS have been preparing the project for two years.
At the start of the meeting Susie Hummel, speaking on behalf of TOPS, told the council the nonprofit had two recent community successes: a large food drive and a newly awarded eviction-diversion and housing-stability grant. "We were awarded the grant ... we'll receive a $136,000. We have 18 months to run our proposed program," Hummel said during public comment. She said the funding — combined between the city and TOPS — will support hiring a full-time housing-stability staff person, provide legal assistance for people facing potential discrimination or unfair housing practices, and fund a tenant-rights communications campaign in partnership with HOME in Cincinnati.
Council members expressed congratulations and asked administrative questions about project timing and features. Green said the project is close to a building permit and discussed previously considered optional features that are not funded in the current budget, including a tornado shelter and rooftop solar; she said the shelter idea "just ran out of money." Council noted the ARPA construction deadline: work must be completed and funds spent by September 2026.
The council adopted the resolution authorizing the subgrant; the resolution passed by voice vote. The record shows no amendments to the agreement during the meeting.
The city will disburse funds according to the subgrant agreement and TOPS is expected to proceed to construction once permits are in hand. Additional details about the eviction-diversion program and the TOPS construction schedule were flagged for later reporting by staff and TOPS representatives.
