The Homesteading Program began in the Fall of 2015. Price Hill Will works in partnership with several social service agencies – LISC, SC Ministry Foundation, Catholic Charities of SW Ohio, WIN, Santa Maria Community Services, the Hamilton County Land Reutilization Corporation and Legal Aid – to provide families that would otherwise be unable to purchase a home with access to homeownership opportunity.

 

• Price Hill Will identifies homes that are solid and stable, some with fully intact building systems, some houses are donated to Price Hill Will, and others can be purchased for a minimal price from the Hamilton County Land Bank or an existing owner. Once acquired, the homes are brought up to code and any building systems that are in need of repair are addressed.

 

Part of the criteria for selecting the families involves screening the applicants for home improvement skills.

 

• The prospective homeowners enter a land contract with Price Hill Will. There is a list of requirements for further home improvement over the course of the contract. Their work progress is regularly observed by Price Hill Will. The work that the families perform instills a sense of pride in home ownership and a sense of belonging contrast to renting an overpriced home or apartment with a potentially predatory landlord.