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CMHA Offering Bonuses To Property Owners Who Accept Vouchers

This property in Winton Terrace is one of 22 properties owned by the CMHA. The agency contracts with 3,200 private owners who accept vouchers.
CMHA
This property in Winton Terrace is one of 22 properties owned by the CMHA. The agency contracts with 3,200 private owners who accept vouchers.

The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) will pay Hamilton County property owners a signing bonus after they agree to lease to tenants who are voucher holders.

The incentive program, through CARES Act funding, continues through Nov. 30, 2020 and is designed to expand the amount of affordable housing in Hamilton County.

CMHA Spokeswoman Lesley Wardlow says the agency is offering up to $1,200 to property owners within Hamilton County. That is the maximum on a sliding scale explained on CHMA's website. Wardlow says there are varying amounts for each property, beginning at $600.

She says the incentive is an expression of appreciation for new and current property owners that partner with CMHA's Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV).

There is an effort already underway to increase the number of properties for low and middle income residents of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, as WVXU's Jay Hanselman reported in June 2019.

The Greater Cincinnati Coalition for the Homelesshas cited statistics showing Hamilton County has a shortage of more than 40,000 affordable homes.

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With more than 30 years of journalism experience in the Greater Cincinnati market, Ann Thompson brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her reporting. She has reported for WKRC, WCKY, WHIO-TV, Metro Networks and CBS/ABC Radio. Her work has been recognized by the Associated Press and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2019 and 2011 A-P named her “Best Reporter” for large market radio in Ohio. She has won awards from the Association of Women in Communications and the Alliance for Women in Media. Ann reports regularly on science and technology in Focus on Technology.