County releases Elmwood Place housing plan

23 Spruce Street

The Hamilton County Regional Planning Commission (HCRPC) has released the Elmwood Place Housing Plan. (WARNING: 90 MB PDF file)

The plan is part of a concerted effort by the village to maintain and to promote the rehabilitation of its current housing stock and to reduce the number of vacant and foreclosed properties.

Like other first-ring suburbs, Elmwood Place is plagued by housing that is considered obsolete in size and function, and a population that is aging, becoming poorer, and more transient.

Seventy-five percent of the homes in the village were built prior to 1939, and in 2006 the median sales price for a house was $21,000.

This shift has led to many empty storefronts in the decaying business district along Vine Street.

The Village of Elmwood Place Housing Committee selected two target areas for intensive study and redevelopment: An area bounded by Vine, Township, Highland and Linden; and an area bounded by Elmwood, Spruce, Hasler and Maple. (Maps at end of article)

The plan makes nine key recommendations:

* Conserve and improve the quality of existing single-family housing stock.
* Increase the supply of independent and assisted-living facilities for senior and special needs residents.
* Improve the maintenance of rental properties.
* Conserve and increase the amount of housing affordable for moderate-income households and local employees.
* Improve the environmental assets of the community so the Village will be an attractive place to live.
* Strengthen established neighborhoods by finding new uses for abandoned or under-utilized land. * Increase homeownership.
* Decrease the number of vacant and abandoned properties.
* Improve the visual character in both the residential and commercial areas.

The study also recommended mixed-use redevelopment of the business district, and suggests the use of a streetscape and facade improvement program as a starting point.

In addition to agressive code enforcement measures and spot rehabilitation, Elmwood Place has applied for Exterior Housing Improvement Program grant money and Community Development Block Grant funds.

The housing plan was prepared for the village by the HCRPC and Housing Opportunities Made Equal with a housing grant from the United Way of Greater Cincinnati.


Elmwood Place Survey Area: Click to enlarge


Elmwood Place Housing Plan Target Area 1: Click to enlarge


Elmwood Place Housing Plan Target Area 2: Click to enlarge