Comprehensive Housing Strategy
City of Lorain, OH
Economic Strategy
Located along the shore of Lake Erie between Cleveland and Toledo, Lorain is a small city facing significant housing challenges.
Fourth Economy was engaged to help the city address an aging housing stock, limited rental and affordable housing options, a constrained housing market, and the need to address blighted properties. The city aims to address housing-related issues through an updated housing strategy, which is part of their overall 5-year economic development plan.
Our Approach
Fourth Economy’s approach combined qualitative and quantitative analysis to provide an in-depth understanding of current housing conditions. Input from community engagement informed strategies with high public acceptance. Targeted strategies for addressing gaps and needs were appropriately scaled based on the existing ecosystem of development partners and the 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 facing housing instability, enable aging residents to remain in their homes and community, and grow and diversify the city’s housing stock.
The comprehensive plan resulted in a strategic framework for the city to partner, preserve, support, sustain, and grow. To help the city achieve these housing goals, each strategic area includes an overarching goal, specific action steps, potential implementation partners, available funding and programs, and relevant case studies to guide implementation of recommendations.
Location
Lorain, OH