LOVELAND MAGAZINE

News and Events from the Loveland, Ohio Area

Without fear or favor
Since 2004

Tag: Franklin Township

  • Veteran’s Village planned for Clermont County

    Veteran’s Village planned for Clermont County

    Batavia, Ohio – The Board Clermont County Board of Commissioners and Clermont Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) have announced plans for a Veteran’s Village in Clermont County to address gaps in housing and services for veterans.

    “We know of no other facility like this in the area,” said Bonnie Batchler, President, Board of County Commissioners. “We hope this will serve as an example for others around the county.”

    The facility is to include 28 cottages/houses and a community center offering wrap-around services from the Veteran’s Administration (VA) for county veterans who are homeless or living in substandard housing. There will be 22 one-bedroom units and six two-bedroom units for individuals and families. They will range from 700 to 1,100 square feet. They will be fully furnished, with a washer/dryer, broadband access, patio areas and parking spots.

    A community center will provide on-site clinical services to individuals who need them, on-site management to address issues that arise, a large gathering space, a kitchenette, and a computer/media area.

    Some units will be subsidized, depending on income. Others will be based on “fair market” rent.

    Plans call for the village to open in Franklin Township/Felicity in the spring of 2025.

    On May 17, the Board of County Commissioners gave their support to a proposed Veteran’s Village in Felicity or Franklin Township, reserving $1 million in federal HUD HOME funds for the $4-million project. Commissioners also expressed the board’s support for a Clermont Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) request for $400,000 from the 2024-2025 State of Ohio Budget for the project.

    In Clermont County alone, there are 12,000 veterans, with more than 900 facing significant housing instability. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that veterans account for more than eight percent of all adults experiencing homelessness throughout the country.

    There simply isn’t enough affordable housing – and, besides high costs, veterans can face barriers such as drug and alcohol history, PTSD, and inconsistent rental history. That’s on top of normal barriers to low-income families such as higher rents, a limited landlord pool, and inability to get utilities, transportation, and deposits.

    Plans are being made to address these barriers. The Clermont County Veteran’s Administration has agreed to provide van services to veterans. Twenty-five percent of the units will be wheelchair accessible. Veterans will have the support of nearby VFW membership.

    While the CMHA has an allotment of 40 HUD-VASH vouchers to offer veterans, it has been a struggle to fully utilize them. Nationwide the number of landlords willing to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher (HHCV) program is dwindling, and the number of landlords willing to accept an individual with a poor police background check or without consistent rental history is nearly impossible.

    CMHA Executive Director Alicia Morlatt said plans originated from the mutual frustration shared by staff of the Veteran’s Administration and CMHA.

    “Our veterans have served us,” Batchler said. “Now, it’s our turn to serve them.”

  • Kaisich approves Disaster Relief Program for Clermont jurisdictions impacted by February storms

    Kaisich approves Disaster Relief Program for Clermont jurisdictions impacted by February storms

    Batavia, Ohio – The Clermont County Emergency Agency was notified on July 25 that Gov. John Kasich approved the implementation of the State Disaster Relief Program (SDRP) for local government agencies in Clermont County impacted by the Ohio River flood and tornado that occurred this past February.

    These jurisdictions have the potential to be reimbursed up to an estimated $943,000. Each eligible agency must submit a letter of intent to apply to the Ohio Emergency Management Agency, which is coordinating this effort, by Aug. 24. The Ohio EMA will then get funding approval from the State Controlling Board, which meets on Sept. 10, before distributing any funds.

    These expenses represent local government outlays during the flood and tornado, including debris removal, life-saving emergency protective measures, and the repair, replacement, or restoration of disaster-damaged publicly-owned facilities. This funding is available to the local political subdivisions and non-profit organizations that participated in the damage assessment process.

    The jurisdictions and potential reimbursement amounts are:

    Batavia Township – $104,000

    Clermont County Engineer – $266,139.63

    Clermont County Sheriff – $9,237.95

    Washington Township – $58,719.40

    Village of New Richmond – $124,811.80

    Clermont County Commissioners – $11,351.34

    Franklin Township – $246,277.44

    Monroe Township – $18,081.46

    Pierce Township – $44,601.78

    Village of Moscow – $30,000

    Clermont Municipal Court – $5,089

    Clermont County Park District – $3,500

    Adams-Clermont Solid Waste District – $21,000

    Countywide Total                                            $942,809.80

    Previously, these Clermont County jurisdictions had submitted an application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for disaster relief through its Public Assistance Program. FEMA denied certain expenses that it considered ineligible as FEMA was unable to determine that the damage was caused specifically during the February storms.

    Under the SDRP, the state will reimburse 75% of eligible expenses. Each government agency will be responsible for the balance of the expenses.