Public Relations Guide for Rural Housing Organizations (manual

Fact Sheet Sample #1COMMUNITY ACTION COMMISSIONOF FAYETTE COUNTY324 E. Court StreetWashington Court House, OH 43160(740) 335-7282/ (740) 335-6802 (fax)MISSION STATEMENT:PROGRAMS:HOMEOWNERSHIP:To develop and implement programs to improve the quality of life fordisadvantaged people in Fayette County. The development of affordablehousing is a specific purpose in Community Action Commission (CAC) ofFayette County’s Constitution. CAC is a private, nonprofit corporationgoverned by a 15-member board of directors of public officials, privateorganizations and residents.Among CAC’s programs are homeownership, home repair services for theelderly, Head Start, home weatherization, emergency services, a countywidetransportation system, pediatric clinic, prenatal clinic and visiting nurseservices. CAC also oversees 16 transitional housing units, three apartmentcomplexes, two homeless shelters and single-room-occupancy housing forthe homeless.Homeownership is CAC’s fastest growing program. More than 109 homesfor ownership by low-income families have been built since the programbegan in 1993, an additional 15 homes are under construction and land for 65lots for future development has been purchased.The program began as scattered sites with construction in several locations.A private developer, Darrell Krupul, helped CAC build its first subdivision,Logtown, in 1996. A second subdivision, Village Green in Bloomingburg,nears completion. Plans for Arbor Village in Washington Court House areunderway.Self-Help Housing Program: This USDA program has provided more than$1.6 million in technical assistance grants to help build 11 homes in the pasteight years. About $650,000 in Self-Help Homeownership OpportunityProgram (SHOP) grants, distributed through the Housing Assistance Council,was used to purchase 75 lots for construction. Client Equity averages$10,000 per household.Other Funding Sources: Local lenders using interest rate buy-down andsubsidies have helped CAC complete 22 single-family, new constructionhomes. The Office of Housing and Community Partnerships providedadditional assistance, through the Ohio Housing Trust Fund, using “sweatequity” to help maintain affordability.ACCOMPLISHMENTS:CAC owns Glennview Apartments (56 units), Woodsview Square (40 units),Fayette Inn (17 apartments), Summer Tree Terrace (24 apartments). Morethan 3,500 children have been enrolled in Head Start since 1966. More than100 seniors have benefitted from the home repair program since 1977 andmore than 157 low-income families have a place to call home each yearthrough CAC housing programs.(Enterprise Foundation 2002)54 Public Relations Guide