Homes On The Hill - CDC Association Award

CDC Association 2006 CDC of the year Award

Homes on the Hill, CDC, a neighborhood based non profit founded in 1992 serving the Greater Hilltop area of Columbus and Southwester Franklin County received the Ohio Association of Community Development Corporations 2006 CDC of the year award in the mature CDC category. The award was presented to Executive Director Stephen Torsell at the close of the 22nd Annual Ohio CDC Conference held this year in Cincinnati . A mature CDC is one that has been in business for at least five years.

HOTH received the award in recognition of their various accomplishments in housing development, homebuyer counseling and education, and for a record of innovative and collaborative programs developed in housing. The mission of Homes on the Hill is to “provide decent, affordable housing for low and moderate income individuals and families and to help to strengthen their neighborhoods.” Homes on the Hill started with one full time staff member in one room of the Hilltop Lutheran Church .

Highlights of Accomplishments

HOTH is certified as a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) by the State of Ohio , Franklin County , and the City of Columbus. HOTH is one a few small CDCs approved by HUD as a non profit housing developer and the only one in Franklin County. HOTH has developed a record of innovative funding and currently has fifteen separate entities providing program support.

HOTH has developed more than 60 single family homes for homeownership during its tenure with an additional 10 currently under production. Most of these homes have been scattered site rehab projects, a very complex type of housing production. HOTH has also developed fifteen new builds, many in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. This affordable housing development has leveraged nearly $4,000,000 in public and private funds for the west side of Columbus and Southwestern Franklin County.

Homes on the Hill has developed a full service, HUD certified Homeownership Education Program, which is staffed by three bilingual employees who provide program activities in English and Spanish. HOTH recently affiliated with the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), a national advocacy organization for Spanish speaking individuals.

In the past nine years, more than 1,300 individuals have been served through homeownership education workshops, one-on-one credit counseling, foreclosure counseling, and down payment assistance. HOTH was awarded a grant through the Ohio CCD Association in 2006 to provide foreclosure counseling in Franklin and surrounding counties. HOTH has administered more than $300,000 in down payment assistance to individuals who have become homeowners.

A talented and generous Board of Trustees guides the activities of Homes on the Hill. Most members of the Board are residents of Homes on the Hill’s service area. Each Board member brings important experience and expertise to the organization.

Homes on the Hill continues to distinguish itself as a mission driven organization serving its service area with commitment and dedication. The organization has been recognized by Columbus City Council, Mayor Coleman, the Franklin County Commissioners, and the Ohio General Assembly for its contributions to Columbus and Franklin County . HOTH received a program excellence award from the Ohio Association of Non Profit Organizations in 2006 and was a finalist for the Better Business Bureau Non Profit Integrity Award.