Whitehall, OHIO, August 28, 2023 –Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. and co-developer IMPACT Community Action hosted a ceremonial groundbreaking today for the 102-unit affordable housing community called The Enclave on Main to be built at 3540 East Main Street in Whitehall. Today’s event drew officials from the City of Whitehall, representatives of the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, Franklin County Treasurer Cheryl Brooks Sullivan, representatives of the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Alliant Capital, CF Bank, and the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus & Franklin County, plus many other supporters.
“The groundbreaking of The Enclave of Main is a celebration and a symbol of great progress for Whitehall. This collaboration with Woda Cooper Companies will result in 102 quality inclusive housing units, transforming our community,” said Mayor Kim Maggard, City of Whitehall. “The Enclave on Main is more than a housing development; it’s a testament to our commitment to providing homes for a diverse range of individuals – young professionals, families, seniors and more. Congratulations and thank you to all who have made this remarkable effort a reality.”
Units at The Enclave will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts with quality finishes, plenty of storage, and energy efficiency. It is expected to be certified LEED. There will be 16 one-bedroom, 63 two-bedroom apartments, and 23 three-bedroom units, offering affordable rental rates for residents that earn 30% to 80% area median income. There will also be several units adapted for those with mobility challenges and/or sight and hearing disabilities.
Apartments will offer large living spaces; kitchens with ENERGY STAR appliances, including dishwashers and microwaves; and washer/dryer hookups. Interiors feature attractive finishes, quality cabinetry, and luxury vinyl tile flooring. Community amenities include a community room with kitchenette and management office for an onsite community manager. A COTA bus stop is located nearby.
There will also be a dedicated space for assisting residents with supportive services, such as case management, workforce development and employment training, emergency assistance, financial literacy, and more coordinated by co-developer IMPACT Community Action.
“At a time when Central Ohio’s population growth is outpacing housing development and thus creating a deficit of affordable housing, we are excited to be in partnership with Woda Cooper Companies as a co-developer of The Enclave on Main,” said Robert “Bo” Chilton, CEO IMPACT Community Action. “This project will provide 102 units of housing in the Whitehall community, a community that continues to invest, grow and innovate.”
Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) provided a tax-exempt bond issuance and allocated 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and soft funds to the development through its Bond Gap Financing Program.
Alliant Capital invested in the tax credits to provide equity financing. “Alliant Capital has partnered with Woda Cooper Companies over the past 15 years to develop and preserve affordable housing,” said Jennifer Erixon, the firm’s Managing Director, Originations. “We are honored to be a part of The Enclave, our twelfth investment with Woda Cooper Companies, which will provide high-quality housing opportunities for the residents of Whitehall for many years to come.”
A permanent mortgage and construction loan, through the purchase of the tax-exempt bonds issued by OHFA, will be provided by CF Bank.
An additional soft mortgage is being provided by Franklin County through its Magnet Fund program. “The shortage of affordable places for our residents to live is one of the greatest challenges facing our community today,” said Board of County Commissioners President John O’Grady. “Woda Cooper has been a great partner in the work to increase the affordable housing options in Central Ohio, and The Enclave on Main is sure to be a great home to many Franklin County families for decades to come as they work their way up the economic ladder.”
Support from the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus & Franklin County (AHT) was also critical in the development of The Enclave. “AHT is proud to support projects like The Enclave on Main that provide housing units that retail workers, teachers, nurses and paralegals can afford,” said AHT’s President and CEO Lark T. Mallory, Esq. “Recognizing that these developments require a combination of many tools and resources, AHT financed this project through our Housing Action Fund (HAF) combined with other AHT loan products. The HAF provides a flexible source of dollars that expands the resources available for investment in affordable housing development in Franklin County. When possible, like in the case of the Enclave, the HAF will enhance its own affordability requirements by aligning with public funds, philanthropic grants, and other resources to increase the affordability of housing.”
The Enclave on Main will also benefit from a linked deposit fund created by the Franklin County Treasurer, financing from the Brownfield Redevelopment Fund, and a property tax abatement provided by the City of Whitehall.
The Enclave on Main represents Woda Cooper’s first property co-developed with IMPACT Community Action, first in Whitehall, and second to be supported by a linked deposit fund from Franklin County. “We appreciate the excellent collaboration with the City of Whitehall leaders and our partners in The Enclave,” said Jeffrey J. Woda, Founder of Woda Cooper Companies, Inc. “Affordable housing is a critical need identified by Whitehall’s leaders to contribute to the next level of the community’s growth and development and we are happy to help them address that need with The Enclave.”
Architecture and structural engineering are being performed by New Avenue Architects & Engineers. American Structure Point is civil engineer and sustainability consultant is Sol Design + Consulting. Woda Construction Inc. is general contractor and Woda Cooper’s management division, Woda Management & Real Estate, will oversee leasing and property management. For more information about leasing, visit wodagroup.com or call 380-258-5262
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. In the spring of 2023, Affordable Housing Finance magazine ranked Woda Cooper Companies 7th in nation among Developers and 21st among Owners.
