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Land bank seeks direct transfer of two lots so Welcome Home Ohio houses can be built
Summary
The Jefferson County Land Bank asked Steubenville City Council to allow two vacant lots on N. Fifth Street to be conveyed directly to the land bank so three houses funded by a $660,556 Welcome Home Ohio grant can be completed; the program carries income and occupancy restrictions and a Sept. 1, 2026 completion deadline.
Tabitha Glover, director of the Jefferson County Land Bank, told Steubenville City Council the land bank was awarded $660,556 through the Welcome Home Ohio program and is building three single-family homes in Jefferson County, including one already under construction at 612 Logan Street in Steubenville.
Glover said $570,556 of the award is for property purchases and $90,000 is for rehab/construction items such as a storage shed, driveway and appliances. She described program eligibility: buyers must be at or below 80% of area median income (example figures cited: family of four $68,150; one-person household $47,750), must occupy the home as primary residence for five years, and the properties carry a 20-year deed restriction. She added, “we were awarded $660,556 to help improve access to housing in Jefferson County,” and said the grant requires all three houses be built by Sept. 1, 2026.
Robert Naylor, who introduced Glover, explained that two lots on North Fifth Street were previously conveyed through the Port Authority and Habitat for Humanity and that the land bank seeks a direct conveyance to avoid additional transfers. Council members asked procedural and title-clarification questions; Law Director Costa Mastros indicated the council can declare an emergency if needed. Council did not take a final vote on a transfer at this meeting.
