Shared Goal

Akron residents have greater access to safe, well-maintained, and affordable housing.

Outcome

More Investment in Homes & Neighborhoods

Context for Proposals 8–12

Proposals 8–12 show different ways Akron could invest housing dollars. Each one helps a different group, works in a different way, and tries to fix a different housing problem. You don’t have to pick just one. Your facilitator will guide your Trust through an activity where you compare these five options and decide which ones matter most for Akron.

The Proposal

This proposal would provide financial assistance and support services to help residents stay in their homes when they face short-term financial setbacks.

Events like a job loss, medical bill, or unexpected expense can quickly lead to missed rent or mortgage payments. For renters, this can result in eviction. For homeowners, it can lead to foreclosure.

In Summit County, there are about 4,700 eviction filings each year, and Akron has one of the highest eviction rates in Ohio. Meanwhile, hundreds of foreclosure cases are active at any given time.

Some existing programs offer support for residents, such as legal assistance for renters facing eviction or payment plans to help homeowners take care of overdue property taxes. However, these programs often come into play only after a crisis has begun.

This proposal focuses on earlier intervention. It could include rental assistance, short-term help with mortgage or tax payments, legal support, and outreach to households at risk. The goal is to stabilize households before a temporary setback becomes a housing crisis.

Possible Benefits

Helps households avoid eviction or foreclosure
Financial assistance and legal support can help renters and homeowners stay in place or make more stable transitions.

Supports early intervention
Reaching people before they fall too far behind can prevent more serious consequences and reduce the need for emergency services.

Reduces disruption for families and neighborhoods
Fewer forced moves can help children stay in the same schools, reduce shelter use, and keep homes occupied and maintained.

Saves money in the long run
Helping a household before a crisis hits is far less expensive than responding to one after the fact. 

Possible Tradeoffs

Some households may need repeated help
Short-term support may not solve ongoing financial challenges.

Help may not arrive in time
Once eviction or foreclosure starts, it can be hard to stop.

Does not fix long-term affordability
This helps in the moment but does not change housing costs or income levels.

Funds go to landlords and lenders
Assistance is paid to the people owed money, not directly kept by residents.

What $100,000 Per Year For 10 Years Could Do

An investment of $100,000 Per Year could help about 240 households stay housed over 10 years, depending on how the funding is used.

A combined approach—including rental assistance, legal help, and foreclosure prevention—could support about 24 households per year (roughly 240 households over 10 years)

If used for a single purpose:

• Rental assistance: about 22 households per year (~220 over 10 years)

• Legal representation: about 40 cases per year (~400 over 10 years)

• Foreclosure prevention: about 15 households per year (~150 over 10 years)

These estimates are based on typical costs:

• About $4,600 per household for rental assistance

• About $2,500 per case for legal representation

• About $6,800 per household for foreclosure prevention

The total number of households reached depends on how funds are divided across these services.

Note: These $100,000 examples are meant to help you compare the options. Actual costs and results will vary based on program design and may be higher due to administrative needs.

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