Way Station breaks ground for home

The family's new home will be on James Street.
EAST PALESTINE -- Springtime weather cooperated as The Way Station, city of East Palestine, Titan Construction and a local family recently broke ground on the first of 10 homes for low- to moderate-income families.
The Way Station received a Housing Development Assistance Program grant from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency in 2004. HDAP funds underwrite a portion of the cost of the home, making ownership of a new home an affordable reality for Columbiana County families.
The Way Station is a faith-based, private, nonprofit organization dedicated to healing the addiction, poverty, abuse and related social and spiritual issues faced by county families and individuals. The organization has offices in Columbiana, Lisbon and East Liverpool.
"This is a great program that opens the door for families to build their dream home," states Melinda Holsopple, development director for the Way Station. "It is a great way to enter the world of home ownership and have instant equity."
Making their own choices
The HDAP grant will assist with the construction of 10 new homes on pre-selected lots in East Palestine. There are several home plans from which to choose. Homeowners are able to select colors and styles of the interior and exterior of the home.
Titan Construction of Austintown, builder and developer of Cimarron Homes in Columbiana, will serve as the project's general contractor.
The city has provided additional incentive for new home construction through a property tax abatement program. This incentive, a five-year abatement, is available for all the homes included in the HDAP program.
Adam Sienerth, Debra Reno and their children are the first family to complete the application process to buy one of the homes. Their home will be on a wooded lot off James Street.
"We are so excited. We just can't wait," Reno said. "Our kids are really happy, too." The family expects to move into their home in August.
The family participated in a Columbiana County Community Action Agency program to save for their down payment.
Families interested in participating in the program must meet qualifications established by the state. Qualifying criteria includes an ability to obtain a mortgage. Income qualifications also are required and vary according to family size.
Those interested in learning more about the program can contact Holsopple at The Way Station (330) 482-5072, Ext. 210.