Partnership with HURC Crucial to the Lincoln Heights Revitalization
Partnership with HURC Crucial to the Lincoln Heights Revitalization.
The Village of Lincoln Heights has a strategic plan, a housing plan and a land use plan. We have interested residents, dedicated elected officials and a top-notch staff. But tying it all together into for a revitalization effort that is long overdue requires partners. And we have been fortunate that so many companies and organizations have stepped up.
Hamilton County has provided a million-dollar grant for roads, demolition and remediation and the rebirth of Memorial Field and has played a leading role in moving the gun range. The Cincinnati Reds and its partners – including GE, P&G, Cincinnati Zoo and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital – selected the Village for its 2022 Community Makeover, which made a transformational and sustainable impact in Lincoln Heights. Local Initiatives Support Corporation has helped with our housing plan. The Port of Greater Cincinnati Development Authority is managing the remediation and demolition of the old Lincoln Heights High School, which will free up land for the Village’s signature development while removing a long-standing Village eyesore.
Today we’d like to focus on another valuable Village partner – the Homesteading and Urban Redevelopment Corporation, also known as HURC. Managed by The Port after years as a separate entity, HURC is dedicated to improving the quality of housing throughout Hamilton County.
HURC is working with the Village to facilitate ownership of vacant properties and the development and implementation of the Lincoln Heights housing plan.
But its work in the Village extends beyond planning. Last year, HURC built and sold four new homes on Jackson Street which included an investment of more than $1.2 million. HURC was able to utilize HOME Investment Partnerships Funds from Hamilton County in order to help cover the gap in construction costs. Plans are in place to build four additional affordable homes in the Village.
Housing – both affordable and market-rate – is a critical need in the Village. In addition to bringing in new residents, these homes will help reverse a decline in home values and add to the Village’s tax base. They are proof-positive to residents that the long-awaited revitalization of the Village is underway and add to the momentum and hope so evident throughout Lincoln Heights.
We appreciate the partnership with HURC and look forward to more successes in the months and years ahead.