Rep. Howse applauds Habitat for Humanity's housing efforts, says state and federal inaction have hurt Ohio homeownership

State Rep. Stephanie Howse (D-Cleveland) today applauded the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity for their work with “Buckeye Build,” while saying state and federal inaction has made affordable housing in the Cleveland area and throughout the state hard to come by. Recent reports show that, though the nation as a whole has experienced a decrease in the number of Americans losing their homes, more Ohioans continue to lose their homes to foreclosure.

“Though affordable housing is out of reach for too many Ohioans and our state continues to be a leader in the number of people losing their homes to foreclosure, I am pleased Habitat for Humanity has managed to build over 180 houses over the last 25 years while engaging politicians to raise awareness and get their hands dirty,” said Howse. “As Ohio’s GOP continues to provide tax cuts for the wealthy while Cleveland and many cities across the state are in dire need of assistance, Habitat for Humanity is working hard to offer some of our most vulnerable populations a path towards economic stability.”

Cleveland was among cities hit hard during the Great Recession and the housing crisis, and Howse contends federal inaction – like the inability to reach a federal budget agreement in 2013 – hit area homeowners and prospective homeowners especially hard.

The Buckeye Build Project will take place July 18-20. In addition to rehabbing two full houses, volunteers will assist roughly 15 residents with exterior improvements and install new roofs and attic insulation for five additional homes. The Buckeye Build Project comes a few months after Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity announced their three year initiative to rehabilitate 100 abandoned houses in Cleveland, starting with 10 homes in the Buckeye Neighborhood.