Below is an article that was posted on the front page of the
Local section in the Dayton Daily News
 on Thursday, January 26th 2012:

By Joanne Huist Smith, Staff Writer Updated 9:16 AM Thursday, January 26, 2012

Fully renovated and affordable homes for middle-income families are hitting Montgomery County’s housing market.

In 2009, The Housing Source, a program of CountyCorp, started buying abandoned or foreclosed properties, mostly single-family homes. The goal is to demolish some, but rehab most using $9 million in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding.

Thus far, 16 homes have been rehabbed and sold. One is under contract. Another 22 are for sale, including 19 in Huber Heights and three in Trotwood. Fourteen more are in the renovation pipeline and will be on the market by year end.

“They’re doing wonderful things with those homes and raising the value of others in the neighborhood,” Huber Heights City Manager Gary Adams said. “I wish they could do 50 more.”

Ken Grisez, Generation Construction, left, looks over blueprints with Badger Plumbing owner Dean South at The Housing Source work site on 6626 Harshmanville Rd. in Huber Heights. Montgomery County families searching for affording housing have a new option if they’re looking to buy. The Housing Source, formerly CountyCorp, has been working on rejuvenation of 83 housing units, including 51 single-family homes.

All of The Housing Source Signature Homes currently available range in price from $90,000 to $125,000.

“Our home sales are averaging about one a month,” said Steve Naas, president of CountyCorp.

The slab homes are brick and were built between 1958 and 1965. All range between 1,000 to 1,700 square feet, most have garages, three to four bedrooms and two full baths. The rehab focuses on energy efficiency and includes low-maintenance systems and fixtures. Each home gets a new roof, windows, kitchen and bathrooms, along with EnergyStar appliances.

Kevin Moseman, left, and Larry Clouser of Badger Plumbing
work on replacing the sewage system at The Housing Source
work site on 6626 Harshmanville Rd. in Huber Heights.

“At the end of the day, we’re trying to build homes that are affordable long-term. That includes utilities,” Adam Blake, CountyCorp’s housing development manager said.

Ten of the Huber Heights homes will be showcased in the 2012 Eco-Rehabarama, a project by The Housing Source in partnership with the Home Builders Association of Dayton. The event takes place May 11 to 13 and May 18 to 20. Each of the homes, located in south Huber Heights, between Ohio 201 and 202, will have a green-related theme.

The neighborhoods selected for the NSP program were some of hardest-hit by the foreclosure crisis in Montgomery County. The Housing Source often targeted the most blighted house on a block for the program.

To qualify for a NSP home, the buyer must meet income qualifications, take eight hours of home-ownership classes and qualify for a loan. Families may earn up to 120 percent of the area’s median income to qualify. For example, a family of four earning $74,900 a year may be eligible to participate in the program, which also includes down payment assistance.

Ben Kendrick of Huber Heights was one of the first to purchase a Signature Home and says he was immediately impressed by the quality of the renovation. Neighbors told him the three-bedroom house had been an eyesore, vacant and rundown.

“The quality of the work is exceptional,” he said. “They look like high-end homes.”

For more information about The Housing Source Signature Homes, contact Blake at (937) 531-7048 or email him at ablake@countycorp.com. Listings of available homes can be found online at thehousingsource.org.

On January 23rd, The Housing Source and the Home Builders Association of Dayton (HBA) announced the first Eco-Rehabarama which will be held in May of 2012 in Huber Heights.  In the nineteen year history of Rehabarama home shows, this is the first time the event has taken place outside the City of Dayton.

Ten nearly historical homes located in one of the original sections of Huber Heights will be rehabilitated to meet or exceed today’s standards for safe, comfortable, efficient and sustainable living.  The work will culminate with a public invited, two weekend home showcase in May 2012.  Seven residential construction professional members of the HBA of Dayton will be performing the transformations. 

The approximately 1,000 to 1,700 square foot homes will be totally reconstructed, taking the homes back to the shell of the originally framed structure with the infamous Huber brick veneer.  The deconstruction process is an environmentally friendly means of selective demolition, proper disposal of solid waste and reuse of the original home’s building materials.  By deconstructing buildings rather than demolishing them, Dayton Works Plus and the Deconstruction Depot are allowing materials to be reused in other building and renovation projects, diverting waste, creating jobs and protecting natural resources.

HBA of Dayton members were encouraged to provide their talents and creativity to the remodeling of these very typical floor plans of the original production built homes.  “These are not your father’s Huber Homes” said Walt Hibner, Executive Director of the HBA of Dayton.  

The incredible enhancements to the very accessible slab-on-grade homes will include new long life roofs and low maintenance exterior siding, high efficiency windows, high density insulation, state-of-the-art mechanical systems including heating, ventilation and air conditioning, new electrical and security systems and water efficient plumbing systems. Some will include alternate energy aspects, rainwater recovery systems, Energy Star appliances, new technology pervious pavement, and resource efficient landscaping.  The homes will be rated to the National Association of Home Builders Green Building Standard providing a comparison between the original home and the Eco-rehabbed home.

View a flyer from one home here: 5075 Lemoyne

Many of the homes will display various “aging in place” features meeting a growing market demand as the large “Baby Boomer” population ages gracefully and prefers to sustain independence in smaller, affordable, low maintenance homes.    

The community of Huber Heights is well suited for this program as today’s housing market and the demographics of today’s home buyer match seamlessly with the City’s community atmosphere, the low maintenance, accessible home styles and the affordability of the area, with close proximity to employment centers. 

The Eco-Rehabarama event will take place May 11-13 & May 18-20, with special events such as green living and eco educational programs at each home.  The homes will be marketed and sold by The Housing Source for occupancy at the conclusion of the show. The homes will sell for $95,000 to $125,000 each. 

2012 ECO-Rehabarama Details

Private Progressive Preview Event – Thursday, May 10 – 5pm to 8pm

Show dates and times:

Friday, May 11 – Noon to 9:00pm

Saturday, May 12 – Noon to 9:00pm

Sunday, May 13 – Noon to 6:00pm

Friday, May 18 – Noon to 9:00pm

Saturday, May 19 – Noon to 9:00pm

Sunday, May 20 – Noon to 6:00pm

Admission: Open to the public and FREE

Map and More info: www.HBADayton.com

Contact Adam Blake, CountyCorp’s Housing Development Manager for sale information at 937-531-7048 or ablake@countycorp.com

The Housing Source, a program of CountyCorp, is announcing revised pricing for 2012 on our 18 beautiful, totally renovated, energy efficient homes for sale right now in Huber Heights under our Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).

CountyCorp is the private non-profit development corporation for Montgomery County.  NSP is a community renewal initiative that utilizes U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds to purchase, renovate and resell formerly vacant and foreclosed homes.  This program is focused in Huber Heights, Trotwood, Ft. McKinley and West Carrollton, all neighborhoods that have been hardest hit by the foreclosure crisis. 

The comprehensive rehab focuses on energy efficient, low maintenance systems and fixtures and includes new roofs, windows, doors, kitchens and bathrooms, EnergyStar appliances and lighting, plumbing, HVAC, electrical and security systems, insulation, flooring, concrete and landscaping.  CountyCorp also provides each buyer with a 5-year comprehensive home warranty and a deluxe homeownership manual. 

Financing for these homes is obtained through a mortgage with Wright-Patt Credit Union, or other lender.  Buyer benefits include:  $1,000 down, downpayment assistance of 10% of purchase price (up to $15,000) in the form of a silent 2^nd mortgage, no PMI, and a 5-year whole house warranty.  Realtors earn a 4% commission and have to do very little to sell the homes.

Fifteen homes have been sold to date, 3 in Trotwood and 12 in Huber.  Two more Huber homes are currently under contract to sell in the next couple weeks. The Housing Source also has 10 more homes in Huber and 3 in Trotwood that just began the rehab process. These 13 houses will be completed in May.

On Thursday, December 8th, the owners of Almond Village held a grand opening of the newly remodeled 60-unit apartment complex which is located at 4701 Casaba Court in West Dayton. The $6.4 million rehabilitation included modifications to accommodate visitability and accessibility, EnergyStar rated appliances and mechanicals, and energy saving front loading washers and dryers in each unit. The square footage of each unit was also increased. The project utilized 9% low-income housing tax credits, HOME and ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funds. The owners are Wallick Companies and HomeStart, Inc. (a division of CountyCorp). Other project partners include OHFA (Ohio Housing Finance Agency), Wallick-Hendy Development Company and the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing. Started in 1966 and based in Columbus, OH, the Wallick Companies are a leader in affordable multi-unit housing development and management throughout the Midwest. This age restricted complex has a waiting list.

On Monday Oct. 31st, more than 100 people joined CountyCorp and community leaders to celebrate the Grand Opening of River Commons II. River Commons II is the Dayton area’s newest permanent supportive housing development. Contributors of the $11 million project include the Federal Home Loan Bank, The Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, and CountyCorp’s HomeStart, Inc. Shortly, the building will fill up with 83 tenants in need of permanent housing. Tenants will each have their own apartment and will share common ammenities including a computer and office area and large meeting rooms with the opportunity of group interaction. Other collaborating businesses include Homeless Solutions Policy Board, Elected officials from the City of Dayton & Montgomery County, Oberer Thompson Companies, McCook Field Neighborhood Association, Northeast Priority Board, City of Dayton, Miami Valley Housing Opportunities, Homefull, Greater Dayton Premier Management, US Bank, Roberta Longfellow, Dayton Corrugated Packing Corp., Lowes, Premier Health Partners, The Foodbank Inc., Miami Valley Random Acts of Kindness, St. George’s Episcopal Church, St. Henry Parish, Can Opener Art Gallery, Economy Linen, and many other local companies that donated household items.

 If you missed the Grand Opening, you still have the opportunity to donate to this amazing cause. You can drop off any of the following donations on site at 144 Helena Street, Dayton, OH 45405. Just call Karen Neiport at 937-559-2284 to ensure that someone is there to accept your donations or call Tina Biggs at 937-263-4449 ext 405 to arrange other times or locations:

BED & BATH
Twin bed sheet sets
Blankets
Pillows
Hangers*
Bath towels
Hand towels
Washcloths
Bath mats
Toilet brush
Toilet bowl cleaner
Toilet paper
Plunger
Personal hygiene items

KITCHEN
Dish towels
Dish rack
Frying pan*
Saucepan*
Serving/mixing bowl*
Cooking utensils*
Knife*
Coffee pot*
Toaster*
Diswasher soap
Trash can

OTHER
Floor lamps*
Clock radio
Floor cleaner
Windex
Laundry detergent

*NOTE: Items marked with an asterisk may be in “gently-used” condition. All others must be new.