Van Wert Housing Services
Van Wert Housing Services was established in 1992. According to its’ Articles of Incorporation, the entity was created for the following purposes:
- Provide lifetime affordable housing to individuals in Van Wert County, with an emphasis on serving citizens with developmental disabilities;
- Foster and develop a favorable working relationship with the Van Wert Board of Developmental Disabilities or any other federal, state, or local government agency, commission, organization, or entity that is engaged in providing services or other benefits to persons with developmental disabilities;
- Lessen the burdens of federal, state, or local governments by providing safe, accessible and affordable housing for persons with developmental disabilities and others;
- Develop, erect, construct, build, repair, improve, restore, renovate, or rehabilitate homes, apartments, or other dwellings in Van Wert County for occupancy by individuals with developmental disabilities and others;
- Purchase, acquire, or as lessee, invest in, hold, lease as lessor, encumber, sell, exchange, transfer, dispose of, receive, and take by grant, gift, devise, bequest or otherwise, property of any description or any interest therein, wherever situated;
- Borrow and raise money from public and private sources;
- Issue, sell, and pledge its notes, bonds, and other evidences of indebtedness, and secure any of its obligations by mortgage, pledge, or deed of trust of all or any of its property. Be a partner, member, associate, or participant on other enterprises or ventures;
- Provide ongoing community education, advocacy and technical assistance to support the development of integrated housing alternatives in scattered areas to maximize opportunities for people with developmental disabilities;
- Develop model housing alternatives, both homeownership and rental, that will provide long-term affordability;
- Develop creative financing alternatives using a combination of private, public and charitable resources.
Since 1992 the Board has acquired 11 homes through money received from A State of Ohio Community Capital Assistance Fund, Federal Neighborhood Stabilization Grant, and bequest.