While the 2017 housing market was marked by renewed optimism fueled by stock market strength, higher wages and a competitive environment for home sales, 2018 maintained the competitive housing market amid less than stellar stock market performance and rising interest rates while housing affordability dipped to a ten-year low.

Communities in Northwest Ohio received more than $51 million in low-interest rate funding from Ohio EPA to improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and make other water quality improvements. The loans were approved between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2018

Communities in Southeast Ohio are receiving a total of $12.2 million in low-interest and principal forgiveness funding from Ohio EPA to improve wastewater and drinking water infrastructure and make other water quality improvements. The loans were approved between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 2018.

U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) and Congressman Steve Stivers (OH-15) reintroduced the Housing Our Military Servicemembers (HOMeS) Act, H.R. 715, to help ensure veterans are not condemned to homelessness.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently awarded $30 million to public housing authorities, including more than $458,311 for the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority, to assist young people at risk of homelessness and their families obtain affordable housing.

Congressman Tim Ryan (OH-13) met with a delegation of Youngstown elected officials and community leaders to congratulate them on receiving a $10.8 million BUILD grant (formally known as TIGER Grant). The delegation was in town for meetings with officials at the Department of Transportation regarding their award, and included Youngstown Mayor Tito Brown, 1st Ward City Councilman Julius Oliver

The following can be attributed to Congressman Steve Stivers (R-OH) regarding the Conference Report of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: “During the Conference process, I have fought for what I know is important to the families in the 15th District

U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary David Shulkin urging him to fully reverse a plan to shift funding for VA programs that support homeless veterans. Earlier this month, the VA announced its intent to redirect the funding into a larger pool used by local VA hospitals at their discretion, risking a misuse of funds intended for homeless veterans.

U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) today announced his support for the Lead-Safe Housing for Kids Act – legislation to protect children in affordable housing from lead poisoning. Lead poisoning disproportionally impacts minority children that live in federally subsidized housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) outdated lead standards and regulations place countless families with children at risk of lead poisoning.

The preferred plan to address the former Cooper Tire and Rubber Company property in Bowling Green will be the subject of an Ohio EPA public meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017, at Ohio EPA’s Northwest District Office, 347 North Dunbridge Road, Bowling Green.

There were 2760 homes and condos sold during the month of October, which is a 4.4 percent increase over the same month a year ago, although a decline of 2.4 percent from September. This is the highest number of sales on record for the month of October, according to the Columbus REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service.

Ohio Department of Insurance Director Jillian Froment today announced that the average rate changes in 2016 for the top 10 homeowners and private passenger auto insurance groups in Ohio increased 1.9 percent and 3.1 percent, respectively. Ohioans pay among the lowest average insurance premiums for homeowners and auto insurance.

Purchasing a home or business property is a time of joy, excitement and inevitably stress generated by the work and by the unfamiliarity buyers have with the layers of demands from loan calculations to insurance commitments being thrust at them. The Ohio Department of Insurance (ODI) may help by providing information about the various insurance types and also through its rigorous regulation of insurance agents, Jillian Froment, ODI director, said.

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) this week urged the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to release funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps Ohio’s low-income households and seniors pay energy bills during the cold winter and hot summer months

U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, Chaired by U.S. Senator Rob Portman. Cutting Through the Red Tape: Oversight of Federal Permitting and the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council

Central Ohio housing inventory continued to increase during the month of July to 5,498, an 8.3 percent increase over June, although still down 14.1 percent from July 2016. This left central Ohio with a 2.0 months supply of inventory at the current sales pace, according to the Columbus REALTORS® Multiple Listing Service.

MCI Service Parts, Inc. has received a covenant not to sue under Ohio EPA’s Voluntary Action Program (VAP) after the company investigated and remediated the former Grumman-Flxible property in Loudonville.

The city of Cincinnati has received an amended covenant not to sue for the MetroWest Commerce Park property under Ohio EPA’s Voluntary Action Program (VAP) after extending the area around the property where ground water use is restricted.