Creating Revitalized & Sustainable Neighborhoods
The Ohio Revitalization Steering Committee (RSC) is an advisory group organized to provide advice and input to the Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC) on policies that will mitigate vacant and abandoned properties and generate marketable properties. These properties are the backbone for revitalized and sustainable neighborhoods, particularly neighborhoods that were redlined and limited opportunities for low- and moderate-income Ohioans.
The RSC is comprised of bankers, non-profit leaders, and public sector officials. The RSC convenes quarterly to inform GOPC’s understanding of the range of challenges and obstacles facing the public, private and non-profit sectors that deal with no- and low-value properties on a daily basis.
Together, GOPC and RSC Members:
Research, develop, vet, and prioritize new state-level policies that improve the ability of communities, investors, and responsible end-users to manage the impact of no- and low-value properties and turn these liabilities into assets for Ohio’s neighborhoods.
Collaborate to undertake research and educate policymakers and key constituents to advance winnable policy priorities addressing the goals of blight mitigation and market regrowth.
Provide a vehicle for coalition-building and linking with the wider business, nonprofit, government, and policy communities to support and advance policies that ultimately generate strong, vibrant neighborhoods.
POLICY PRIORITIES
Members of the RSC are critical in achieving a revitalized Ohio and are in a strong position to work together on a comprehensive slate of revitalization policies.
Make forfeited land sales (i.e. land forfeited to the state through the failure to sell at sheriffs sales) permissive, not required of county auditors.
Establish resources and incentives for residential rehab and redevelopment.
Increase resources and incentive tools for environmentally remediating contaminated commercial and industrial sites.
Help weak-market communities close the appraisal gap on housing intended for 80-120% AMI residents, and 120%+ AMI residents. In these neighborhoods and cities, the cost of building new market-rate housing can outstrip the asking prices the market can bear.
Establish protections for long-term property owners residing in their homes who face sudden and rapid increases in property value as a result of neighborhood revitalization.
Address issues related to the increase in the conversion of single-family homes throughout Ohio from owner-occupied to renter-occupied properties, which can destabilize neighborhoods and hinder community revitalization efforts.