The HIVe is currently rented on a HUD Subsidized Housing Program (section 8/Housing Choice Voucher/Income-Based Scattered Site Projects) contract lease @ $685.00 monthly (water, Sanitation and garbage service included), of which the tenant pays $123.00. The unit comes equipped and the tenant is responsible for Gas & Electric, and any additional Basic Quality of LIFE (BroadBand/Wi-Fiber Optics) Connections. The new Re-Certification and Lease and the terms are effective this Month: MAY!
So why Am I still Here; in this "Project" aka as "Bismarck" in the Inventory: I can walk to Kroger, Walgreens, Economy, SaveALot, Dollar Store, City Hall..., catch a bus a block away, it's Downtown; in a "Historic Village Neighborhood", and it makes more sense to make a purse than look for a prettier pig... I find it perplexing when I read city and community leaders negative comments and disdain for "residential rental property". On one hand, there seems to be too much in certain neighborhoods and the solution is to turn poor tenants into struggling owners. On the other hand, luxury apts, lofts, artists studios, etc are seen as a key to the Covington Renaissance and attracting the "Right" kind of renters to populate the Downtown Core.In either case, it seems to me that the real key is to lower turn-over by improving quality of life.
DEVELOP SUSTAINABLE AND ATTAINABLE HOUSING OPTIONS
PUMA, during its multiple visits and public presentations in Covington, often noted that Covington's bargain real estate prices rank high among the city's strengths. In the CCCAP, the firm recommends capitalizing on that by marketing the affordability of property in the urban core:
Housing that is designed and priced to meet the needs of those groups who are increasingly looking for urban housing options will allow for sustainable growth and stability.
At a meeting earlier this
year with Mainstrasse and Mutter Gottes residents, a representative from one of
PUMA's locally-based partners in developing the CCCAP heard from more than one
vocal resident that code enforcement standards need to be raised and more action
needs to be taken on troublesome properties and their owners. From the
plan:
Establish a “Code Enforcement Blitz”: Neighborhood Enhancement Program – A ninety-day blitz of City services as part of a partnership between the City and the neighborhoods to address blight, crime and other nuisances, to kick-start long-term neighborhood revitalization and reinvestment.And:
Enforce and improve regulations that hold banks and absentee landlords as well as Residential Rental Property Managers, more accountable for property upkeep and maintenance in Center City neighborhoods.
http://therivercitynews.blogspot.com/2012/05/river-city-news-more-covington-news.html
Produced
for:
housing choice voucher program guidebook |
10.1 CHAPTER OVERVIEWThe goal of
the housing choice voucher program is to provide "decent, safe and sanitary"
housing at an affordable cost to low-income families. To accomplish this,
program regulations set forth basic housing quality standards (HQS) which all
units must meet before assistance can be paid on behalf of a family and at least
annually throughout the term of the assisted tenancy. HQS defines "standard
housing" and establishes the minimum criteria necessary for the health and
safety of program participants.
My Rental Dilemma:
SSDI of $892..00/mo, smoker, relies on public transportation, desires to be within walking distance of laundry, major grocery, etc.. I have reached My Golden Years with just my Social Security, Medicare, QMB Medicaid and Federal Benefits for a Household/Family Size and Income of ONE. I have no need or desire to own any property and will be a renter for as long as I have left.
In the recent Internet Discourse I heard the concept of a Housing Strategy as "Life after The Projects". As the current fair market value for a 1 Bedroom apt is i.e.: "I Bdrm Units at The Pulse are advertised as starting at $650.00"
FAIR MARKET RENTS
For Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN to include Boone, Campbell, Kenton county
For Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN to include Boone, Campbell, Kenton county
*Amounts determined annually by the
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Rents generally vary
according to location, quality of unit and amenities to
name a few factors. However; HUD no longer funds or focuses on Projects in the Traditional Sense. http://www.hacov.org/about-us.aspx
Household-Family Size, Income, Source play a part in who can qualify for Residency in Subsidized Rental Housing.
The Creative, Young talent we desire to attract and retain DownTown in the Center City need Housing Choices. Upper floor Housing designed for a Single/Couple just getting started, not ready to buy, no children on the horizon, saddled with Student Loan Debt, seek Basic 1 Bedroom. Same goes for the Seniors & Disabled. Leveraging available HUD Funds, Programs and Grants; Scattered Site Projects in the Center City can re-develop Life on Madison Avenue. http://www.mwcltonline.org/MyBeat.htmlHousehold-Family Size, Income, Source play a part in who can qualify for Residency in Subsidized Rental Housing.
As I recall as an active member of the Lewisberg NA and Central Lewisberg Neighborhood Watch, we participated in the Cathedral Square Medieval Fest on Madison in front of the Basillica that included a Covington Housing Fair...
In the wake
of the hoopla of the recent Covington Housing Fair - where the city attempted to
put its best foot forward in an effort to convince people that it's a great
place to live - it is imperative that I bring to light a major obstacle to an
aspect of this effort that currently exists.
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is a City responsibility and Department that is funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered locally under the umbrella of the Consortium with the Housing Authority of Covington. Participants find their own housing anywhere in Kenton County and it must be code compliant. The family must pay 30% of its monthly adjusted gross income for rent and utilities. The remaining contract rent amount is paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the participating family (as housing subsidy).
"I think Covington required our whole bag of tricks,"
said Segal, who has created similar efforts in other cities large and small
across America. "There's a lot going on in Covington, a lot of moving parts, so
I think Covington was professionally challenging and I say this in a good way.
It was exhilarating for us." Segal said that the unusual number of civic
organizations and stakeholders aiming for a new Downtown is unique in
Covington.
"Covington is a tapestry of commercial districts and
neighborhoods that are knitted tightly together so we came up with a new,
innovative yet pragmatic action plan," he said. "That was exhilarating on the
planning side and I would say that we did well." The plan will emphasize
Covington's need to capitalize on its three potential areas of strength: the
riverfront, Mainstrasse, and the Madison corridor.
In addition to developing the action plan, PUMA was
also charged with exploring the feasibility of a business improvement district
in which certain Downtown commercial property owners would assess a new tax upon
themselves to fund maintenance, clean-up, and marketing of the central business
district. Originally the BID was explored as a combined effort for the Madison
Avenue corridor and Mainstrasse, but on Tuesday Segal's team may recommend two
BIDs, one for each of those parts of town.
"The Mainstrasse groups and hotels (along the
riverfront) have a common interest that they thought could be served through a
BID and the Madison corridor going up to the riverfront felt they had a common
interest that could be served through a BID," Segal said. "Both of those
outcomes surprised us a bit (and the two BIDs) will probably have their own
philosophies and momentum for moving forward."
High hopes for housing in Covington
Mixed-income units designed to appeal to all
by Mike Rutledge (Cincinnati Enquirer)COVINGTON - Apartments that will replace the Jacob Price public housing projects in Covington's Eastside neighborhood will be so attractive that even people who won't need public assistance will want to live in them, city officials believe.
And people who aren't poor will, in fact, be allowed - and invited - to rent some of them.
Cvg Housing Units: 20,053; 8,608 Rental Units per most recent Census. Kentucky Housing Corporation lists 2,240 Units available thru Voucher or Site-Project based programs that they Oversee which includes units administered by both the Housing Authority (963 Units in Site-Project Based Subsidies) and the City's Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
http://www.hacov.org/
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