Columbus, OH, January 22, 2024…A new 60-unit affordable housing community with an onsite early learning center is now open on Columbus’ South Side at 1840 Lockbourne Road.
Co-developers Healthy Homes, affiliated with Community Development for All People and Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families Initiative, and affordable housing company Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. hosted a grand opening and ribbon-cutting today for Lockbourne Greene. This community, which promises to help address housing needs for area residents, was made possible by the support of many key collaborators, including the City of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus & Franklin County, Columbus-Franklin County Finance Authority, Bank of America, and others.
Latyna M. Humphrey, State of Ohio Legislature; Commissioner Erica Crawley, Franklin County; and
Commissioner Kevin L. Boyce, Franklin County.
Lockbourne Greene will transform a vacant Columbus Land Bank property into an amenity-rich, energy-efficient place to live in a neighborhood the city has designated as a key Community Reinvestment Area. “Today marks a milestone for our community as we celebrate the grand opening of Lockbourne Greene—a beacon of hope and progress,” said Mayor Andrew J. Ginther. “With 60 new affordable homes and an onsite early learning center, we are continuing to lay the foundation for shared prosperity and upward mobility. This is more than a housing complex; it’s a testament to our commitment to create a thriving and inclusive future for every resident of Columbus.”
Franklin County Treasurer Cheryl Brooks Sullivan, who grew up in Columbus’ South Side, spearheaded Franklin County’s new $15 million Affordable Housing Linked Deposit Pilot Program which supported funding for Lockbourne Greene at no out-of-pocket cost to taxpayers. The Linked Deposit program places funds into an interest-yielding investment at three private banks – CFBank, Mutual Federal, and Riverside Bank of Dublin – that will re-invest the proceeds in the housing development. The tool offers a unique approach to close a financial gap unavailable through conventional financing methods.
“Franklin County believes in investing in its communities and residents and Lockbourne Greene shows our county’s desire to be part of the solution to address challenges facing our middle- and low-income families struggling to find safe, decent, affordable housing in a location where they want to live and work,” said Treasurer Brooks Sullivan.
Lockbourne Greene is available for workforce families, seniors, and other general occupancy residents who earn 40% to 70% of area median income, or approximately $39,680 to $69,440 annually for a family of four. Rents range from $760 to $999 per month, depending on income category and the size of the apartment.
The three-story, 71,000 square foot building includes 12 one-bedroom, 40 two-bedroom, and eight three-bedroom apartments. Five apartments offer features for people with disabilities, such as lower countertops and accessible bathrooms. The property also has many energy-saving features and was certified LEED Gold by the US Green Building Council.
Community amenities at Lockbourne Greene include an onsite management office, a resident fitness center, and a community room that residents can use for social gatherings. The property is within walking distance of many amenities including Moler Elementary School, a grocery, post office, restaurants, banks, pharmacies, bus stops, and other retail stores and services.
Primary financing for the $16 million community represents a diverse mix of public, private, and nonprofit sources. Equity financing was made possible through the allocation of federal Low Income Housing Tax Credits via the state housing agency Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA). Lockbourne Greene was also a recipient of Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds issued by OHFA.
“Congratulations to Woda Cooper and its partners on the grand opening of Lockbourne Greene,” said OHFA’s Director of Legislative Affairs Guy Ford. “This development provides central Ohio with the affordable housing it needs to support its growth. Families are at the heart of our communities, and providing them safe, affordable housing is essential to their quality of life. Soon families will be moving in, celebrating birthdays and holidays, making memories, and developing friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Bank of America invested $7.3 million in the tax credits and supplied a construction loan. Other funding includes permanent first mortgage from private bank Cedar Rapids Bank & Trust. Healthy Homes provided a second permanent mortgage financed through a grant received from the City of Columbus. The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus & Franklin County provided a bridge loan. Lockbourne Greene also benefits from taxable lease revenue bonds issued by Columbus Franklin County Finance Authority.
Nationwide Children’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families initiative started in 2008 in the South Side neighborhood to improve the overall health of communities by addressing factors including affordable housing through Healthy Homes, education, health and wellness, community enrichment, and economic development.
“Nationwide Children’s knows that child and family health is about more than medical care – one of the most important factors is a high-quality, affordable home,” said Tim Robinson, CEO of Nationwide Children’s. “We have been a proud partner in building healthy residences for our South Side neighbors through our Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families initiative for more than 15 years. Lockbourne Greene is another important milestone in our community’s collective work to improve lives.”
Residents at Lockbourne Greene will benefit from supportive services coordinated by Community Development for All People (C44AP). These services will assist residents in areas such as job skills and placement, financial literacy resources, wellness and nutrition classes, and parenting enrichment resources.
Mike Premo, Executive Director of CD4AP, commented about the value the new development will bring to the South Side. “Lockbourne Greene is a great example of the transformative work that can occur through creative public / private partnerships,” he said. “As well as helping to meet the increasing demand for more affordable housing, it serves as a model for other developments in the future, and helps achieve the work of transforming the South Side into a place where all people can live and thrive. We are grateful to be a partner in creating this incredible asset for the community.”
Lockbourne Greene marks Woda Cooper Companies’ 11th completed affordable housing development in Columbus. “Many workers in the city’s essential jobs have difficulty finding affordable housing that meets their daily living needs and is accessible to jobs, transportation, schools, and services,” said Jeffrey J. Woda, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer for Woda Cooper Companies. “Lockbourne Greene is an example of how strong partnerships can bring together resources to create an affordable, quality housing option for Columbus residents near schools, jobs, and transportation. The added feature of an early childhood center onsite is a big advantage for working families.”
Early learning center an value-added onsite amenity at Lockbourne Greene
The onsite SproutFive early learning center will be geared for children aged six months to five years old. “The opening of Lockbourne Green is a significant milestone in our community’s commitment to enriching early childhood education. As we open the doors of our new SproutFive center at Lockbourne Greene, we are not just opening a childcare center but a beacon of hope and progress for our youngest neighbors and their families,” said Colin Page McGinnis, Chief Executive Officer of SproutFive.
“This collaboration with Woda Cooper Companies exemplifies our commitment to integrating learning and living environments, fostering a seamless experience for our children, their families, and educators,” continued McGinnis. “Together, we are crafting a future where education is a shared community journey, supporting each child to bloom to their fullest potential.”
General contractor for Lockbourne Greene was Woda Construction, Inc. PCI Design Group was architect. Woda Cooper Companies’ management division oversees leasing and maintenance. A second phase is proposed to create seven single family homes developed by Healthy Homes. For more information, contact info@wodagroup.com.
About Healthy Homes
Healthy Homes is a non-profit affordable housing developer dedicated to providing and preserving affordable housing through the provision of homeownership, rental and home repair services in two Columbus communities, the South Side and Linden. Founded in 2008, and in collaboration with Community Development for All People, Healthy Homes is the affordable housing prong of Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families (HNHF) initiative, which seeks to create positive health outcomes in the community. The HNHF initiative targets five impact areas: affordable housing (Healthy Homes), education, health and wellness, community enrichment and economic development.
About Woda Cooper Companies, Inc.
Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. and its affiliates specialize in the development, design, construction, and management of high-quality affordable multi-family communities, senior communities, and single-family homes. The company was founded in 1990 and now has operations in 17 states and a portfolio of more than 300 communities and 15,000 units. Green building is standard with certifications including Passive House, Zero Energy Ready Homes, LEED, Enterprise Green, EarthCraft, and ENERGY STAR. Woda Cooper Companies has offices in Savannah, GA; Indianapolis, IN; Shelbyville, KY; Queenstown, MD; Mackinaw City, MI; Columbus, OH; and Norfolk, VA. Affordable Housing Finance magazine ranked Woda Cooper Companies 7th in nation among Developers and 21st among Owners in 2023.
