The Cuyahoga County Housing Plan guides the County’s approach to affordable housing and Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) initiatives. As the County is in the early stages of plan implementation, the Department of Development expects to identify trends and patterns as it progresses and collects data for analysis. However, overall, the plan has been effective in assisting with Tax Collection procedures and identifying payment methods to assist owners with paying early and/or arranging payment plans. The County has received more revenue from this activity and decreased delinquency rates by raising awareness of the dilemma and providing the public with information to help bring their properties current. Enhanced oversight of policy and enforcement has also added to the increase in payments. 

Access to Capital from Housing Enhancement Loan Program (HELP) and Heritage Home Loan Program loans through Huntington Bank and KeyBank, as well as rehabilitation loans through Neighborhood Housing Services of Greater Cleveland, has provided funds at low interest rates for owners to utilize for home repair projects. Loans provided in an Opportunity Zone, Low-Mod Income Census Tract (LMI), or Investment Tract Area (ITA) may have an increased impact on the overall community as it directly effects areas and/or families that may be below 60-80% of Area Median Income (AMI). 

Housing Insecurity is being addressed with initiatives in foreclosure prevention, homeowner/buyer counseling, tax counseling, and homelessness prevention and assistance. These projects are in place to create more confidence in the housing market for future investment and revitalization. 

Confidence in the Housing Market is created by supporting repair and rehabilitation initiatives and the continued demolition of blighted/vacant structures within Cuyahoga County and seeking to enhance and include housing, transit, and employment to developed sites.

Some Special Populations are addressed through the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) to assist with mental health, at-risk, and homelessness prevention. 

Fair housing outreach and initiatives continue to identify, test, and monitor complaints for protected classes while Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH). In 2019, protections for persons considered LGBTQ were enhanced and outlined as they relate to affordable housing. 

The Cuyahoga County Housing Plan was approved by County Council as Ordinance O2019-001 on February 26, 2019. The approved Plan will have three components: Home Renovation and Housing Market, to be administered by the Cuyahoga County Landbank, and Homeowner Assistance, which will be administered by the Department of Development. All funding for these three components will be provided to and/or by the Landbank in accordance with the scheduled identified in the ordinance. All three components of the approved plan will commence in 2020.