COMMUNITY IMPACT

Beyond the Building Campaign

Service Center Expansion & Renovation

Providing safe, clean and well maintained affordable housing options and supportive resident services are essential to the vision of an inclusive, thriving OTR.

With your support, we can serve 41% (342) more low-income residents by 2020, and even more in the future.

Thanks to the incredible support of our donors, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing has grown significantly throughout our 40-year existence. In 11 years, we’ve grown our staff by 273%!

In order to build OTRCH’s organizational capacity and lay the foundation for expanding programs, we are expanding and renovating our Service Center, located on 14th Street in the heart of OTR. We are raising $2 million to make this possible. Please join us today and support equitable development by contributing to Beyond the Building, the Over-the-Rhine Community Housing Service Center Expansion & Renovation Project!

Click here to download a Pledge Form.

Click here to make a one-time or recurring donation online.

The Need for Affordable Housing

OTR is becoming more diverse; however affordable housing options are dwindling at an increasing rate, directly impacting existing low-income residents. The below table shows the breakdown of housing affordability in 2015.

Affordability of Units

Units Available

Over 100% of AMI

6% of units (253 units)

61-100% of AMI

26% of units (1,054 units)

31-60% of AMI

46% of units (1,864 units)

0-30% of AMI

21% of units (869 units)

*AMI = Area Median Income. In 2015 AMI for a family of four in Hamilton County is $71,500.

*Affordability of units based on principal that at any income level housing should cost no more than 30% of household income.

Between 2002 and 2015, there was a loss of 73% of units in Over-the-Rhine affordable to individuals and families at the 0-30% of area median income level ($15,000).

OTR is at a critical juncture where affordable housing must be prioritized to maintain its community vision. OTRCH is poised to be the lead partner in this effort, but the quality of our services is hindered by our limited capacity.

Over-The-Rhine Community Housing’s Role

For 40 years, OTRCH has been a steadying force throughout the transitions of the neighborhood and its development. We have provided the Property Development, Property Management, Resident Services and Tenant Advocacy that enable the thriving, vibrant, diverse community that we are all a part of today. From providing affordable housing to saving historical buildings to securing employment opportunities for residents, we continue to build and sustain a neighborhood that values low-income residents and benefits all in the community.

OTRCH is a proven partner in OTR, and we are prepared to launch our next phase of development to meet the growing community need for affordable housing. In 2016, OTRCH’s Board of Directors identified issues that will move the dial in the community and achieve the goal of creating long-term economic and racial equity. The Board identified three key strategies for success:

  1. Expand housing opportunities to ensure equitable housing remains a vibrant, accessible aspect of OTR’s future.
  2. Deepen resident impact to expand opportunities and improve quality of life for all residents.
  3. Strengthen and deepen organizational capacity to increase efficiency and further community impact.

Achieving this vision will require building OTRCH’s organizational capacity and laying the foundation for expanding programs, services and impact. We can serve 41% more low-income residents by 2020, and even more in the future.

With this goal, OTRCH is expanding and renovating our Service Center, located on 14th Street in the heart of OTR. Our Service Center is the hub of operations and the heart of resident services; is essential to meet directly with residents and provide critically needed wrap around services; and is operating at maximum spatial capacity which is limiting our ability to expand services to meet this growing need.