Sandusky County, along with Seneca County and Ottawa County, and the Cities of Fostoria, Fremont, and Tiffin intend to apply to the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD) for funding under the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).  The State of Ohio was awarded NSP funds by the United States Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD).  ODOD developed a plan for distribution of its NSP allocation throughout the state, in part through establishment of regional groups of counties and cities.   The above named communities have been designated as Ohio NSP Region 3.  A total of $1,280,387 is available to Region 3.

NSP regions are expected to develop priority Target areas for the use of NSP funds.  NSP is designed to help communities with concentrations of vacant and foreclosed properties.
 

Representatives of the named communities, as well as other local organizations and local governments participated in a process to determine areas of “greatest need.” Consistent with HUD and ODOD guidelines, NSP funds are expected to be targeted to such areas, with need determined by analyzing data related to numbers of foreclosed homes, numbers of vacant homes, numbers of subprime loans, and identification of areas with a majority of household with incomes below 120% of the Area Median Income (which is computed by HUD for each county).
 

As a result of the planning and prioritization process, Region 3 has determined that the following target areas will be designated for NSP activities:
 

1.  City of Fostoria East Side.  . 

Activities:  Demolition of blighted structures, acquisition and redevelopment of foreclosed and vacant properties including sale or rental to households below 120% of Area Median Income.
 

2. City of Port Clinton Conestoga Project/Tree Streets area.

Activities:  Demolition of blighted structures, acquisition and redevelopment of foreclosed and vacant properties including sale or rental to households below 120% of Area Median Income.1
 

3.  Locust Grove (Seneca County).

Activities:  Acquisition and Demolition of blighted structures, and redevelopment of vacant properties into green space.
 

Estimated Total activity costs:

Residential Development (demolition/rehab or redevelopment of sites for housing for households less than 120% AMI ):  $604,348 / 7 units
 

LandBanks/Demolition:  $548,000 / 45 units

Estimated Administrative Costs:  $128,039

A draft copy of the Region 3 NSP application is on file at the following locations from February 12 – 27, 2009 for review by interested citizens: 
 

Sandusky County Commissioners office

622 Croghan Street, 1^st Floor

Fremont, OH 43420

Citizens are encouraged to offer comments on the proposed Region 3 NSP application prior to its Feb. 27^th submission to the Ohio Department of Development.  Comments may be made at the community location listed above.

Comments may also be submitted via e-mail to:   thatcher_terry@co.sandusky.oh.us Or  polter_dan@co.sandusky.oh.us