COLUMBUS, Ohio — Four duplexes were recently built in south Columbus to provide a more affordable place to live.
The homes built on Reeb Avenue were part of a $2.35 million project with collaboration from the City of Columbus grant funding and the South Side Renaissance Fund.
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Teresa Core is a tenant at one of the properties.
"I've been trying to get in here for years now," Core said.
Years ago, Nationwide Children's Hospital planned to turn the South Side Learning and Development Center into affordable homes as part of its Healthy Homes initiative.
“The south side like most communities across the country is going through a housing crisis and in particular an affordable housing crisis,” said Nick Jones, Vice President of Community Wellness for Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Now, all four duplexes are filled. Rent for the tenants is around $920 a month. The average cost of a similar property is $1,400, according to NCH.
"It just fits my financial stability right now," Core said.
“The average renter that we have throughout our portfolio is a single mom, with two kids and a household income of $37,000,” said Jones. "These units are intentionally priced to the market for families that are low to moderate income."
For Core, she plans to one day own her own house, but she's grateful for the duplex now.
The Reeb Center, a resource for the community, is across the street from the affordable homes. NCH hopes those who live in the homes take advantage of all the resources near them.