Habitat for Humanity Greater Cincinnati is breaking ground on eight new townhomes in Over-the-Rhine’s Brewery District on Friday.
This new development is part of the organization’s goal to assuage the area’s housing affordability crisis.
“We have been working towards this day for several years and are so excited to see this project come to fruition,” said Joe Hansbauer, CEO of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati, in a statement. “At a time when half of Ohio renters are living in unaffordable housing, we are grateful to our partners for making new, affordable homeownership opportunities possible.”
Of the seven townhomes and one standalone, each will feature 3+ bedrooms with brick exteriors to complement the neighborhood’s historic structures. All eight sit alongside the century-old home at 305 Mohawk Street that the organization is currently renovating to be sold later this year.
Buyers have already been identified for each home. Like every home built by HFHGC, the homes are income-restricted to people making 30-80% of the area median income, and sold at a 0% interest mortgage rate.
On these eight homes, the organization collaborated with local firm Kaiker Construction—the first time HFHGC has worked with an external general contractor. In a statement, the organization claimed “utilizing larger developments, prioritizing density and partnering with external experts will… allow more local families to transition into safe, stable, and affordable homeownership.”
Friday’s groundbreaking at 301 Mohawk Street will feature speeches from Hansbauer, city officials, and one of the future homebuyers.
For more information, visit the official Habitat for Humanity Greater Cincinnati website.