Legislative Recap Week 42By OREIA Virtual-Assistant - Monday, October 24, 2022 Ohio Real Estate Investors Association 0Comments Title: Ohio's quest to regulate residential PACE lending. Please see the attached article from Crain’s Cleveland Business on PACE loans in Ohio and where HB 646 currently stands.Title: Landlords offered cash incentives to participate in voucher program. Please see the attached article from The Toledo Blade regarding a new regional initiative focused on addressing Toledo’s housing crisis by enticing landlords to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program through a cash incentive.Title: Columbus plans to fast-track affordable housing, help cover permit fees for small and medium-size developers. Please see the attached article from Columbus Business First regarding comments from Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther on the city’s plans to start fast-tracking affordable housing projects by the end of the year.Title: Ohio's largest business organization outlines blueprint for the state's economic future. Please see the attached article from The Statehouse News Bureau regarding a new report from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce containing several recommendations for Ohio businesses and outlining the group's policy objectives for the coming decade. A copy of the Chamber’s executive summary and the full report are also attached for your review. Leave / View Comments Scroll To Top
Legislative Recap Week 40By OREIA Virtual-Assistant - Monday, October 10, 2022 Ohio Real Estate Investors Association 0Comments Title: New Legislation Introduced - HB 726. We would like to make you aware of the following legislation that was introduced on October 3rd, 2022 in the Ohio House:HB 726 – PROPERTY TAX FREEZE AUTHORIZATION (Patton, T) - To allow certain counties to authorize a property tax freeze for certain owner-occupied homes.Attached you will find a copy of the bill for your review.Title: Ohio meets deadline for COVID-19 rental assistance money, but slow to get money out. Please see the article from The Columbus Dispatch regarding the deadline for Ohio to use its portion of the federal COVID-19 rental assistance money passed on the 30th of September, 2022.Title: Ohio General Election Information - November 8, 2022. Early voting for Ohio’s November 8th General Election will begin on October 12th, and we at Governmental Policy Group, Inc. and RH Resources would like to provide you with a few tools to help you follow the various races throughout the state.Attached you will find a 2022 General Election Guide containing a list of candidates and statewide issues appearing on the ballot this November. This year, Ohio will be voting on several statewide and congressional candidates, all 99 Ohio House and odd-numbered Ohio Senate districts, and two statewide issues. Because of redistricting, new congressional map and state legislative maps (house of representatives districts & senate districts) will be in place for this election, and your current district numbers may have changed. To verify your district numbers, you can enter your address on the Secretary of State’s interactive map here. Below are a few important dates/times to remember regarding the election:~October 11: Deadline to register to vote~October 12: Absentee voting by mail begins>Absentee ballots may be returned by mail or personally delivered to your county board of elections. If returned in-person, absentee ballots must be received by your board of elections by 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 8th. If returned by mail, absentee ballots must be postmarked on or before Nov. 7th.~October 12: Early in-person voting begins~November 5: Deadline to request absentee ballot (noon)~November 7: Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by this date~November 7: Early in-person voting ends~November 8: ELECTION DAY – Polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.Early in-person voting hours:~October 12-14: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.~October 17-21: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.~October 24-28: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.~October 29: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.~October 31: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.~November 1-4: 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.~November 5: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.~November 6: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.~November 7: 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.We also encourage you to visit the Secretary of State’s website for any additional information on the election, voter registration, sample ballots, or voting in Ohio.Please note, we at Governmental Policy Group, Inc. and RH Resources are not endorsing any one specific candidate or party in any of the races. This election guide is designed solely for your convenience, and we encourage you to share it with anyone in your organization who might find this information useful.Title: New bill would help older homeowners with property tax increases. Please see the article from Crain’s Cleveland Business regarding HB 726, which would allow certain counties to authorize a limited property tax freeze.Title: Governor's Appointments for October 7, 2022. Please see the press release here from Gov. DeWine’s office announcing that Elizabeth Sigg has been appointed to the Real Estate Appraiser Board for a term beginning today, October 7, 2022, and ending June 30, 2025. Leave / View Comments Scroll To Top
Legislative Recap Week 38By OREIA Virtual-Assistant - Monday, September 26, 2022 Ohio Real Estate Investors Association 0Comments Title: Report Breaks Down Economic Impact Of Housing Finance Agency Programs. Please see the article below from Gongwer regarding a recent economic impact report from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency showing that the agency's efforts each year generate about $432.2 million in direct and indirect tax revenue while sustaining more than 27,000 jobs. A copy of the full report is also attached for your review.Gongwer Article: The Ohio Housing Finance Agency continues to be an economic generator for the state despite a tumultuous housing industry, according to a new analysis.OHFA's new economic impact report calculated that the agency's efforts each year generate about $432.2 million in direct and indirect tax revenue while sustaining more than 27,000 jobs.All that came as the agency and the state at large navigate the lingering impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has disrupted supply chains and driven up costs for homebuyers and construction firms."The work we're doing here at OHFA to create safe, affordable housing improves the health, education, and economic outcomes for Ohio families," Executive Director Shawn Smith said in a statement. "It also is an economic driver, supporting nearly 7,000 construction jobs, more than 4,800 health care and social assistance jobs and more than 3,000 jobs in the finance and insurance sector."The report, based on data over the last five years, determined the agency is responsible for a $4.5 billion output for the state each year, translating into $1.69 in economic activity for every dollar spent on those programs.The study also identified an added annual $2.6 billion in value added to Ohio's gross state product and $1.7 billion in labor income.Overall, the study identified annually:1. Direct effects of 15,002 jobs, $2.35 billion in output and $205 million in tax revenue.2.Indirect effects of 5,166 jobs, $996 million in output and $99.6 million in tax revenue.3.Induced effects – essentially non-related spending of related labor income – of 6,960 jobs, $1.13 billion in output and $118 million in tax revenue.None of that, the agency suggests, accounts for the "social" value of those programs, which help retain and attract residents and skilled workers."Housing is also a social determinant of health," the report reads, including when it comes to lead exposure."Furthermore, when housing is affordable, low-income families have more money to budget for healthy food, routine doctor visits, and quality childcare, which create pathways out of poverty and reduce dependence on public assistance," the report reads.Lawmakers in the current budget enacted a 20.7% funding increase for the agency for FY 2022, boosting support to $14.8 million. The agency also draws funding from federal sources for various programs.That includes the nascent Homeowners Assistance Fund – a facet of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 – that landed the state $280.8 million. Using that funding, the agency launched the Save the Dream Ohio 2021 initiative to support homeowners struggling to pay bills, property taxes, insurance or other costs.During Fiscal Year 2021, the agency assisted more than 6,400 households through that program, providing more than $26 million in mortgage assistance and more than $8 million in utility and other assistance. Leave / View Comments Scroll To Top
Legislative Recap Week 37By OREIA Virtual-Assistant - Monday, September 19, 2022 Ohio Real Estate Investors Association 0Comments Title: HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge on soaring cost of buying and renting homes. Please see the interview transcript from PBS with Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Marcia Fudge on the rising costs for housing across the U.S. To listen to the audio of the interview, please click here.Title: Controlling Board Agenda - September 19, 2022. We would like to make you aware of the following Department of Health request that has been added to the agenda for the next Ohio Controlling Board meeting, which is scheduled for today Monday, September 19, 2022.73 DOH0105018 – The Department of Health respectfully requests Controlling Board approval for a waiver of competitive selection in the amount of $40,000 from Fund GRF, ALI 440527 (Lead Abatement) in FY 2023 to contract with Ohio Academy of Family Physicians (OAFP), Columbus, Ohio for the Ohio Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program (OHHLPPP).Title: Ohio Launches 'Cut Red Tape' Website. Please see the article below from Gongwer regarding the launch of the new “Cut Red Tape Ohio” website, which allows Ohioans to provide input on how agency rules work in the real world or to ask questions about rules. The website was created as a result of SB 9, which seeks to limit regulatory restrictions and create a more business-friendly environment in Ohio.Gongwer Article: Business owners and citizens can more easily raise concerns about Ohio regulations through a new online tool.The Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review, legislators and the business community on Monday announced the launch of the Cut Red Tape Ohio website, which allows Ohioans to provide input on how agency rules work in the real world or to ask questions about rules.The website's creation was mandated by a new law that seeks to limit regulatory restrictions thereby creating a more business-friendly environment (SB 9).It is the first website of its kind in the nation, JCARR vice chair Rep. Jamie Callender (R-Concord) said during a Monday press conference."This is a big step forward as far as public access to rule making and providing the public the opportunity to get involved, research, understand and learn," Rep. Callender said at the subsequent JCARR meeting. "As members of JCARR we get questions from the public and fellow members of the House and Senate with constituency issues, and this streamlines those folks' ability to answer the questions. It's more efficient for us, and concurrently gives more access to the general public."Rep. Callender said the rule making process is "where the work of government is really done.""It's the pinnacle of balance between the legislative and executive branches," he said.Rick Carfagna, Ohio Chamber of Commerce senior vice president for government affairs, said the rule making process is also where sometimes, "noble intent loses its luster" and it becomes apparent that a legislative concept is cumbersome and prohibitive for regular Ohioans."This is another outlet for the general public, particularly the business community who will be affected, to offer constructive input and have questions answered without partisan filters," the former lawmaker said.Inquiries submitted through the website could result in an earlier than scheduled review of particular rules, JCARR Executive Director Larry Wolpert said."It's highly likely that could happen," he said. "The ORC permits the chair to call a rule back before the five-year review if we believe there is an adverse result."Brittney Kneisel, JCARR rules and technology administrator, explained once someone submits an inquiry, they will receive an automated email of acknowledgement.JCARR's goal is for one of four staff members to personally respond to the individual within 24 hours. Staff will forward inquiries to the relevant agency and start a dialogue about the rule. They will provide ongoing updates to the individual, but the timeframe of a resolution will vary based on the inquiry.The website does not replace JCARR's website, but rather complements it, Ms. Kneisel said.In addition to having a presentation on the website, JCARR approved 26 rule packages and sent back for review two rules from the Department of Developmental Disabilities from its regular agenda, and advanced five rule packages from the no-change agenda. Leave / View Comments Scroll To Top
Legislative Recap Week 36By OREIA Virtual-Assistant - Monday, September 12, 2022 Ohio Real Estate Investors Association 0Comments Title: Housing Group Seeks Funds For Second Study. Please see the article below from Gongwer regarding housing advocates seeking an additional $9 million to expand a pilot program that has shown a positive connection between housing security and infant and maternal health. A copy of the program’s executive summary is also attached for your review. Gongwer Article: Housing advocates are seeking an additional $9 million to expand a pilot program that has shown a positive connection between housing security and infant and maternal health.Launched in 2018, Healthy Beginnings at Home studied 100 families and found those that received interventions had higher rates of babies born at full-term and at a healthy birth weight and spent less time in a neonatal intensive care unit.Those who received housing supports also saw significant Medicaid savings ($4,175 per claim) compared to those who did not ($21,521), Amy Riegel, executive director of the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, told the Infant Mortality Commission Wednesday."Research showed this was a pilot that had all the makings of taking it to the next level for replication and scale," Ms. Riegel said.COHHIO, which is leading the program, has secured $2.25 million from the Department of Health to replicate the pilot program with 30 households in Akron and 60 in Columbus."The funding is greatly appreciated and was championed by many leaders here in the caucus and at the governor's office," Ms. Riegel said. "This gets us started, but an additional $9 million is needed to take it to scale and get enough participants needed to show statistical significance."The $9 million would allow the program to reach 210 additional households in Akron, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton for a second cohort and bring the total to 300.COHHIO has proposed the money come from the state's remaining American Rescue Plan Act funds.The organization, along with the National Low Income Housing Coalition, has been calling on state leaders to invest $308 million in ARPA funds to address the housing shortage.Commission Co-Chair Sen. Stephanie Kunze (R-Hilliard) questioned why Cleveland was not participating.Barbara Poppe, whose firm is serving as the lead consultant, said Cleveland took part in a program to prepare cities to replicate HBAH but "made the decision that they had other priorities and didn't have the bandwidth.""This is a very intensive intervention, and a community has to bring local government and philanthropic dollars and a very committed leadership," Ms. Poppe said.The interventions include 15 months of rental subsidies, followed by a nine-month "step down period" leading to the participant paying full rent, Douglas Argue of COHHIO said. Some participants may continue to receive U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development or other subsidies.Additionally, participants can receive guidance on how to negotiate with landlords, financial literacy and career development. These educational aspects of the program are voluntary.Health Policy Institute of Ohio, the lead researcher, will track the households throughout the program and for three years after the birth to track long-term health and Medicaid spending."The intervention group reduces Medicaid spending because babies are healthier and more on track to succeed," Ms. Riegel said. "That's the path we want to put children on.""What we know is once we can pull all this research together and look at outcomes, it will help us lead conversations on how we can change public policy and really improve that intersection of health and housing," she said. "This is a unique time for us to show what we can bring forward to shape the lives of women and children." Leave / View Comments Scroll To Top
Legislative Recap Week 35By OREIA Virtual-Assistant - Monday, September 5, 2022 Ohio Real Estate Investors Association 0Comments Title: Biz Groups Back Use Of Federal Funds For Affordable Housing. Please see the article below from Gongwer regarding statewide business organizations showing their support behind efforts to steer a portion of Ohio's ARPA funding toward affordable housing initiatives in a letter to Gov. DeWine. A copy of the letter is also attached for your review. Gongwer Article: Several statewide business organizations have thrown their support behind an effort to steer a portion of Ohio's American Rescue Plan Act funding toward affordable housing initiatives.The groups noted in a letter to the DeWine Administration that the U.S. Treasury Department recently updated guidance for the money that clears the way for such uses."This means affordable housing developers can now utilize these funds in full compliance with the proposal to invest $308 million in ARPA funding that was submitted to your office earlier this year by the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio (COHHIO) and over 225 other Ohio-based companies and organizations," the groups wrote.The letter was signed by the Ohio Housing Council, Ohio Chamber of Commerce, Ohio REALTORS, Ohio Bankers' League and Ohio Apartment Association."These groups recognize that affordable housing is the foundation of a strong, healthy and productive workforce," COHHIO Executive Director Amy Riegel said in a statement. "Businesses need a diversity of workers in order to thrive, and those workers need a range of affordable housing options."The push for ARPA housing funds come as Ohio has benefitted from several recent development announcements that promise to attract more workers to the state and thus put more pressure on the housing market.Ms. Riegel noted that a surge in energy jobs a few years ago in southeast Ohio had that effect as rents in Guernsey, Jefferson, and Monroe counties tripled and put many long-time residents in a housing bind."Building the Intel plant will require 7,000 construction workers, and it could be thousands more if Ohio gets Honda's new battery facility. We need to learn from the fracking boom that dislocated many in Eastern Ohio nearly a decade ago," she said.Initiative Funded: In a separate development, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency announced it is providing $75,000 in additional funding to Move to PROSPER to support its Empower 100 initiative to improve outcomes for families with low-wage jobs and their children.Move to PROSPER creates residential and financial stability through temporary rental support and comprehensive life coaching that facilitates successful moves to higher resourced communities, OHFA reported."Our mission at the Ohio Housing Finance Agency closely aligns with the goals of Move to PROSPER and we are proud to be a partner in the Empower 100 initiative," Executive Director Shawn Smith said in a release. "Safe and affordable housing is an essential part of a strong quality of life. The results of the pilot program show that providing quality housing and support services can change the path for at-risk families."OHFA said the funding will help Move to PROSPER provide rental support with life coaching to 100 families over the next three years. The move follows a pilot involving 10 families."Our pilot families saw their incomes rise by an average 58%, or $17,000," co-founder and Move to Prosper President & CEO Amy Klaben stated. "That shows us that our approach works, and we are so grateful to OHFA for investing deeply in our plans to serve more families with this unique approach."OHFA separately reported on data collected under the agency's Save the Dream Ohio program, which provides funding to homeowners who have been financially impacted by the pandemic.The main goal of the initiative, comprised of the Mortgage Assistance program and Utility Assistance Plus, is to prevent mortgage delinquencies, foreclosures, and other negative housing outcomes, according to OHFA."Prior to establishing SDO, the 2021 OHFA Ohio Housing Needs Assessment indicated that 67% of those earning less than 30% of the Area Median Income in Ohio are severely cost burdened. That means they are spending 50% or more of their income on housing-related expenses," the agency reported."This is reflected in the SDO applicant data. Of the applicants making below 30% AMI, 60% are either cost burdened or severely cost burdened, compared to 36% of applicants with an AMI between 30-60%. As of the end of July 2022, more than $17 million in funding has gone to help applicants most at risk for housing cost burden with average assistance amounts of $1,900 for households earning between 0-30% AMI and just over $1,800 for households with AMIs between 30-60%." Leave / View Comments Scroll To Top