Oxford to consider affordable housing proposals, grant application for tenant supports

After plans for an affordable housing development on Hester Road fell through late last year, Oxford has received three viable proposals for a new development at the same location.

Oxford put out a request for proposals for an affordable housing project on 2.1 acres of city-owned land this year. During a Housing Advisory Commission (HAC) meeting on March 6, Assistant City Manager Jessica Greene shared that four organizations responded: Empower Me Living, Gay and Usher, LLC, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati, and Homeful. Green will work with three HAC members to review and score the proposals this month.

The city had been working with Community Development Professionals of Hamilton since 2017 to develop a 12-unit cottage community on Hester Road. Oxford City Council ultimately voted to terminate the lease agreement last December after learning that the units could cost more than $900 per month, a cost which didn’t align with the vision of affordable housing for very low-income people.

The HAC also focused on code enforcement and rental inspections during its March meeting. The city conducted more than 4,000 rental inspections in 2024 and responded to roughly 200 code enforcement calls for service last year. 

Every rental property is inspected once every two years, Greene said. However, this requires consent from property managers and tenants, which most give. Property managers and tenants can deny interior inspections. Greene said they would rarely obtain a search warrant and only if the situation required it.

“We are, I will say, one of the few cities in Ohio who has a rental inspection program,” Greene said. “They tend to be university towns, and they're being challenged in the courts, so stay tuned, but right now, ours is still allowed and will be taken very seriously.”

One thing Greene said they might improve on when it comes to code enforcement is how they deal with repeat offenders. During the HAC meeting, members discussed the potential for creating fee escalations or taking legal action in extreme circumstances.

HAC members also raised concerns about tenants with mental health disabilities and addiction issues. Currently, the Oxford Police Department’s social service liaison only follows up on cases that are brought to her attention by police. Greene said if they believe that role should be expanded, then she recommends a third-party nonprofit grant program to help with direct case management. 

“We're not saying that we don't need to do more,” Greene said. “We're just saying a nonprofit should do it, and we should help them do it.”

Mobile homes are currently exempt from code enforcement inspections. However, this is something Greene said HAC may look into changing since the homes used to be privately owned but are now being rented out. 

After answering all the questions from the last meeting, Greene turned to presenting an outline of a proposed application for an Interact for Health housing grant. If HAC was awarded the grant, it could be anywhere between $75,000 to $250,000 for 18 to 36 months. 

Her current proposed plan has four parts. Part one would have HAC and Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS) partnering to create a new housing stability staff role. The person in this position would be responsible for helping tenants know their rights and providing resources as needed. 

Part two would include setting aside legal funds at TOPSS to provide legal assistance to tenants whose property managers or owners are not following the law. 

Part three of the plan includes partnering with Home City, a fair housing rights organization, twice a year for a tenants' rights and eviction diversion efforts education program for the Oxford community. 

Lastly, Greene said she would want to reevaluate the existing housing policies and clarify any gaps in its current language. 

Green asked HAC for support in the grant application process. HAC approved, and Greene will now take the proposed plan to the next City Council meeting for its approval as well.