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State Faces Questions After Ohio Gets $94M to Fight Blight
By: Associated Press
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COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) – Ohio is receiving an additional $94 million to help demolish blighted homes and prevent foreclosures, but some say it missed out on even more funding because of an issue with the state’s application.
The U.S. Treasury Department awarded the Hardest Hit Funds on Wednesday.
The Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio says it urged the Ohio Housing Finance Agency to apply for additional funding using a balanced approach.
The housing agency applied for $250 million last month but asked that 90 percent of the money support vacant housing demolitions.
The federal government wants every dollar spent by 2020, and it apparently reduced the state’s overall award after finding the request unrealistic due to its heavy focus on demolition.
State housing agency officials didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.