City Marketing New Home Built with Fed Money

In 2009, Kent’s grants and neighborhood programs administrator applied for the city to receive grants under the national Neighborhood Stabilization Program.

Bridget Susel was successful, and Kent has since received $350,000 of funding.

With the money, the city can afford to demolish nine abandoned or dilapidated structures to make way for three newly constructed homes.

The first new home, which will be located at 527 Fairchild Ave., will be 1,300 square feet with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half baths, a finished basement and an attached two-car garage.

“We are looking to break ground here within the next three weeks,” said Nancy Niland, director of property management for , which has partnered with the city on this low-income, affordable housing venture.

As part of the process, the city, in partnership with Family & Community Services, will review applications in search of an owner.

“We have not received any back yet, but we do have four applications out,” Niland said.

Factors such as income and employment will be considered. And applicants are required to go through eight hours of homebuyer’s counseling.

“We also expect the selected family to provide a portion of the down payment,” Susel said.

The occupants of the three houses, which will be completed by the end of 2012, will be encouraged to contribute what they can beyond the minimum 3 percent required by law and they will assume responsibility for property taxes.

“The goal of NSP is to stabilize property values within the neighborhood by creating sustainable homeownership,” Susel said.

The maintenance and stabilization of the neighborhood is Niland’s favorite part about this project.

She said it feels good to be “able to put a new house in an area where you see all these homeowners who are putting a lot of effort into remodeling their property.”

To obtain an application, contact Niland by calling 330-297-7027 or via email at nniland@portagefamilies.org.