Comprehensive Housing Strategy
City of Lorain, OH
Economic Strategy
Positioned along the edge of Lake Erie between Cleveland and Toledo, Lorain is a small city with big city housing challenges. An aging housing stock, limited rental and affordable housing options, a constrained housing market, and a need to address blighted properties are just some of the housing-related issues the city is seeking to address through an updated housing strategy, part of their overall 5-year economic development plan.
Our Approach
Fourth Economy’s approach combined a mix of qualitative and quantitative analysis to provide an in-depth picture of current housing conditions. Input from community engagement was used to inform strategies that have high public acceptance. Targeted strategies for addressing gaps and needs were right-sized based on the existing ecosystem of development partners and availability of housing programs, funding, and incentives.
The Results
To address Lorain’s most urgent housing needs while planning for the future, the city will need to partner to build capacity, preserve existing housing stock, support those who face housing instability, sustain aging residents to allow them to remain in their homes and in the community, and grow and diversify the city’s housing stock.
The results of the comprehensive plan was a strategy framework for the city to partner, preserve, support, sustain, and grow. To help the city achieve these housing goals, each strategy area includes an overarching goal, specific action steps, potential partners for implementation, available funding and programs, and relevant case studies to help the city implement recommendations.
Location
Lorain, OH