NEW MIDDLETOWN Springfield Township residents raise concerns over low-income housing

The housing development is expected to begin in December.
BY MARY GRZEBIENIAK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW MIDDLETOWN -- Some Springfield Township residents told New Middletown Village Council on Monday they are worried that a government-subsidized housing development may lower their property values.
About 15 residents, all from the Carousel Corners housing development, questioned council about a 12-home development to be built on nine acres at the end of Sandy Court. The proposed development borders their neighborhood.
Last month, Allan and Carol Forsythe of the National Housing Association, a private nonprofit organization in Columbus, told council they have received an assurance of funding from the Ohio Department of Development's Housing Assistance Program for the development which is called New Middletown Homes.
Under the program, buyers who could qualify for a $90,000 mortgage would be able to build $120,000 single-family homes, with the government paying the additional $30,000. Qualifying incomes for a family of four would range from $25,335 to $40,533.
The residents said they think it is unfair for the government to help residents buy a home which would normally be out of their price range.
One resident, Steve Ranelli said, "We've all worked very hard to get where we're at."
He and other residents questioned whether a person qualifying for a $90,000 home will be able to afford the upkeep on a $120,000 home, whether the homes could eventually become rental units, whether second owners on the homes would have to pay full price, and whether HUD housing will bring down their property value.
Mayor Robert Carson and council members replied that the development exceeds zoning requirements and does not need council's permission to go ahead. They added that any home in the village could be a rental unit, and that second owners would have to qualify for the full amount of the loan.
Ground for the development is expected to be broken in December.
Other council news
Council also did the following:
UApproved a three-year contract with police Chief Bill Morvay effective Sept. 1. His salary will be $43,000 the first year, with 3 percent raises in each of the next two years. His current salary was not available Monday night.
UApproved raises in monthly salary for the mayor and for Clerk Carl Flitcraft Jr. The mayor's will rise from $225 to $400 and Flitcraft's from $340 to $500.
UWere told by Morvay that Mahoning County Recycling has awarded the village $6,682 for additional park equipment including a pirate ship for the playground, two handicapped accessible picnic tables, speed bumps and an outdoor message board. The village will have to pay an additional 20 percent as its share.