Up On The Rooftop! 

Hello, Toledo. 

Sometimes we all wonder whether our work is really making a difference in people’s lives. This is true no matter our line of work. I, too, have moments where I wonder about the impact we’re making — or whether we’re making an impact at all.

And then there are days like yesterday.

Yesterday we launched our Rooftops Repair Financial Assistance Program, and I had a chance to meet a homeowner named Martha Castro.

Martha lives on Prouty Avenue and has a roof that is badly in need of repair. Because of the work of so many partners — Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur, the City of Toledo, Maumee Valley Habitat for Humanity, Lucas County Land Bank, the Toledo Urban Federal Credit Union, Premier Bank and Huntington Bank — Martha is getting a new roof.

A new roof can cost a homeowner between $10,000-$15,000, and when Martha learned she was getting a free roof, she was literally brought to tears.

It was an emotional moment that reinforced the good work that we strive to do each day.

The big announcement will help many additional residents -- 650 to be exact -- keep a quality roof over their heads over a three-year period. The City of Toledo Department of Housing and Community Development joined me and a number of community partners at the press conference to make the announcement. 

The 2021 Toledo Survey completed by the Land Bank evaluated six problem conditions for every structure in the City of Toledo. These conditions include exterior paint/siding, roofs, porch foundations, windows, doors, and fire damage.  

This program is an innovative and exciting plan to help residents with roof repair or replacement. It doesn’t solve the whole problem but it is a step in the right direction and something worth celebrating. The rooftops program is another tool in our toolbox to preserve housing in Toledo. It is also part of the ongoing commitment of the City of Toledo to invest in neighborhoods, repair roads, and reduce blight. You can follow other investments being made with Toledo Recovery Plan dollars on our website. 

The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) will prioritize roof repair to prevent further deterioration of owner-occupied residential properties by utilizing $2.6 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, $300,00 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, and private bank partner (s) loan products to establish and administer the City of Toledo Rooftops Financial Assistance Program (Rooftops).  

The first part of the program, launched this week, is a lottery that will select the first 300 roofs to be repaired. You can fill out a basic application to be part of the lottery. If chosen, you will be notified of the next steps to fill out a full application and get your roof repaired! 

Don’t delay. Make your application HERE.

Have a great week, Toledo!

Join us Monday at the West Toledo Library

We have embarked on a six-week plan to meet with residents throughout the community. You can stop by any one of them and hear about all of the projects happening at the Department of Public Utilities, Housing, and Community Development, Forward Toledo, and Engage Toledo.  
Toledo.oh.gov/get-involved

Walking and Shopping: Let's Get Moving!

The Let's Get Moving series of walks with residents is still going strong. Join us this Thursday for a farmers market. Garden Next Door will be open to the public from 5-7 at Bowman Park. Garden Next Door accepts cash, check, Venmo, Senior Coupons (from the AOoA), WIC coupons, TANF coupons, and Produce Perks.

Do You Have Internet Access?

We know that some residents do and some might not. The City of Toledo, along with the Toledo Lucas County Library, Lucas County, and many other partners, want to hear directly from you.
 
Are internet services available at your house? Are they affordable? Do you have a device that can connect to the internet? The more we know, the more we can do to help drive improvement.

Housing Assistance Workshops

We are hosting a series of workshops to assist residents applying for rental assistance, mortgage assistance, and the Rooftops Repair Program. All meetings will be at various Toledo Lucas County Public library locations. There, City of Toledo staff will be available to assist with the application process and answer questions regarding housing or community development.

Officer Brandon Stalker Memorial Highway

This morning I attended the Memorial Highway Dedication for Toledo Police Officer Brandon Stalker who was killed in the line of duty on January 18, 2021.

The ceremony took place at Officer Stalker's alma mater Whitmer High School where he was a student in the criminal justice program. 

Alexis Rd between mile marker 4 and 5 will now be Officer Stalker Memorial Highway in honor of his sacrifice and memory.

The memorial highway will serve as his legacy and a reminder of his heroism and dedication to our community.

His service to Toledo will not be forgotten.

It is Time for Fall...THIS weekend!