Resident Impact Emergency Fund

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the social and economic well-being of low-income renters. With an eviction crisis looming, OCCH and its investors created the Resident Impact Emergency Fund (RIEF) to assist our partners and their residents in rent payments to lessen the financial burdens caused by the pandemic. Contributions benefitted organizations aiding those in need and households struggling to pay rent. Rent assistance payments were made to project owners who agreed to forgive nonpayment of rent and forgo evictions. Watch the video here.

• In the spring of 2020, OCCH and its investment partners set aside $1.8 million for the RIEF Program.

• We helped over 500 households avoid eviction.

• 14 different housing partners and 38 properties received RIEF grants.

• Funding will continue into 2021 to help fund programs and services to meet residents’ needs. The rent assistance program is retired now that other sources have become available, but the needs of residents will still be met through our funding.

“Thank you so much for all your help! You don’t know how much it means to me, and how much stress it takes off my shoulders knowing that I don’t have to worry about finding a place for the children and I. It has definitely been a trying time. It has been such a blessing. My family and I appreciate it so much.”

– Carrie, Resident at Cottages of Mechanicsville

Summer Camp

As a signature program within OCIC, summer camp helps kids expand their vision and allows them to dream bigger. These camps afford kids the opportunity to learn, explore, play, and form positive social relationships in structured, yet flexible and fun ways that complement their regular classroom learning experiences.

• Over $580,000 awarded as summer camps grants

• 24 Summer Camps, including 3 virtual summer camps

• Over 500 students served

• Various day camps focused on socio-emotional health and academic success, literacy, and the arts, as well as sports and recreation

• Summer camps located throughout Ohio and Kentucky
(Akron, Cadiz, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton, Fairborn, Sardinia, Tiffin, and Youngstown, Ohio; Lexington, KY)

Huntington Digital Inclusion Fund

Huntington CDC made a $2.5 million multi-year investment to encourage innovation in digital inclusivity. Funds help support hardware and technical assistance to improve digital access. Hardware may include computers, Wi-Fi hot spots, tablets, and other personal devices. Funding can also be used to further digital literacy training and economic empowerment.

• In 2020 the Fund successfully awarded over $400,000 to 15 partners, helping reduce the digital divide.

“The single most remarkable accomplishment of this grant was truly the excitement in the faces of the children when they received their own and personal tablet. Students were more motivated to read on their tablets than they were with a book.”

– Jon Adkins, Director of Resident Services, Housing Authority of Covington

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