[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6574034,"mediaKeyId","3118466-9cb4403e2dc5746cb8b5bf81ba2cc797","parentId",3118466,"title","Fair Housing Center presents action plan, identifies 14 barriers to housing choice in Toledo","audioSeconds",889,"startMs",3414000,"endMs",4303000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3118466-9cb4403e2dc5746cb8b5bf81ba2cc797&start=3414&end=4303","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3118466-9cb4403e2dc5746cb8b5bf81ba2cc797/thumbnail_3414000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6574034/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Fair-Housing-Center-presents-action-plan-identifies-14-barriers-to-housing-choice-in-Toledo","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574034-165b89677fe0722bc0d3e7a5f10c7321/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833190&Signature=iVm~8qJAr9GR9mqYY5jzCOfKKYN-O2Bp1k2jO8d0J8PLa63Ogn4LwKh-VXRN09J29ioL2iJ2q64v9waonoPVPQQeq192bGv3jNE7sZo~MU0~fQiNgnnS24TaQ5Wo49vEOOCNrK0v4CP6t7PQh3UNzUq5XY3OQAanNlIIdayzw~IuGowI8-CUOmVsvFPzrdmfEEmxkrLSGkBMAC7tfq9TWrovXn-nxFgiMvOR5GjorPEvs-y7oQYaOgRir124d1NwVWX6Aa5Zd34hL5YdiRpSwCFhegpGEEg2-qTn0WkfsCmmCdzqZcPnx2UT0XWgI0eInQ-0H2gx3jNqhxN7CCKfeA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Toledo","date","2025-04-24T00:00:00Z","article","George Thomas, CEO and general counsel of the Fair Housing Center, summarized the center’s Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice and asked the public to comment on a community action plan meant to remove local barriers to housing access.

Thomas said the analysis identifies 14 primary barriers affecting housing choice in the Toledo area and emphasized the need for concrete actions the city and partners can take. “We identified 14 main barriers,” he said, and he walked through examples that the action plan targets: criminal‑history screening that disproportionately affects Black and Latino households; restrictions and practical barriers to voucher mobility and source‑of‑income discrimination; housing accessibility shortfalls for people with disabilities; land‑use and zoning rules that limit certain housing types; and lead‑hazard risk concentrated in older housing stock and neighborhoods.

Thomas noted that some barriers have statutory fixes or administrative remedies — for example, a recently enacted state law creating a certificate process to help some people demonstrate housing eligibility despite criminal histories — but he said local implementation requires outreach and supportive services to help eligible people secure those certificates. He also recommended improving enforcement of existing local protections (including local municipal code protections for LGBTQ+ residents) and strengthening public awareness and intake channels so people know how to report discrimination.

The analysis and a proposed action plan are posted on the Fair Housing Center’s website. Thomas asked the public to review the executive summary and action items and to provide feedback during the consolidated‑plan comment period. He also warned that national civil‑rights funding and enforcement is experiencing pressure and said local action will remain important regardless of federal priorities.

Thomas closed by inviting questions and community input, stressing that the analysis is not exhaustive and the center will accept suggestions and additions from residents and stakeholders.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Toledo - SPECIAL RECORDED CONTENT on 2025-04-24 5:30 PM - 2025-2029 Five-Year Consolidated Plan - Apr 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Fair Housing Center summarized an Analysis of Impediments and presented an action plan that names 14 barriers — including criminal‑history screening, source‑of‑income discrimination, lead hazard risk and zoning limits — and invited public feedback.","taxTitle","Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio","taxId",2665,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574038,"Lucas Metropolitan Housing outlines programs, capacity and funding uncertainties at consolidated‑plan hearing",1538,1975000,3513000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3118466-9cb4403e2dc5746cb8b5bf81ba2cc797&start=1975&end=3513","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3118466-9cb4403e2dc5746cb8b5bf81ba2cc797/thumbnail_1975000.jpg","/articles/6574038/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Lucas-Metropolitan-Housing-outlines-programs-capacity-and-funding-uncertainties-at-consolidatedplan-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574038-7dc2a00a4aec28f54b1cd49e74fd79ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833190&Signature=P7f3FJV5KaM8R~g3YJMociBdacyUeond7-MHOB0D40v73zsgDfPG9wuRBhcnl1B1vYUTU45Nn7frExLuRJpdqUKm0osK7eWQ2NFdmLMtX8omqlH4o2W09kRh9z~ryqEDCYyIEbZLWmNg8T-n~AfV9Xz0yhsmj5O0hNSbkpoOv5jiqgJRXW9hqOcyPW7X00~iTmrphVg5LX6EbF1dG54zRfFX4hA75fX~qKRSFc0MBOW9kjudbhx6HQJpWMfu1d7KSzzfD~QCF~-XyBWL3dk-q6NZcsyZYrRuj0okl4r0x-T1edTYNr-1rpkLVXvKaEUyDKgfAgzYyLUx~n-Zq0dxxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sengwar Mans, chief executive officer of Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH), gave an overview of public‑housing programs, LMH capacity and the agency’s financial position during the consolidated‑plan hearing.

“LMH has approximately 2,600 low income public housing units and, at 25 locations, and about 4,500 housing choice vouchers,” Mans said. He described LMH as a locally governed housing authority that administers federal programs and must follow federal rules and an Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) with HUD.

Mans described LMH’s program mix as low‑income public housing, the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program, capital funds and resident services/family self‑sufficiency funds. He cautioned that the agency’s reported net position (presented to the audience as about $56 million) represents fund balances that are restricted by program and cannot be freely repurposed; capital, operating and voucher funds are separated by HUD rules.

Mans warned of federal funding uncertainty and operational constraints: he cited national staff reductions at HUD, the common practice of proration (HUD providing a portion of appropriated funds), a longstanding national deferred‑maintenance backlog and the risk of HUD recapturing unspent funds. Those factors, he said, make long‑term commitments difficult.

On development and homeownership, Mans said LMH is pursuing multiple redevelopment and affordable housing projects (he listed several projects with total development costs in the tens of millions of dollars). Mans also described LMH’s homeownership voucher option, which the agency operates but which “doesn’t get a lot of traction,” and said 65 homes currently participate in that program. Mans said the agency plans to open closed wait lists this year to expand access but did not provide a complete timeline.

Mans outlined LMH’s stated goals: to expand accessible housing opportunities, diversify revenue streams to reduce reliance on federal funding, support pathways to family income growth, invest in residents’ quality of life, and improve portfolio conditions. He urged collaboration with city and nonprofit partners to expand housing production and to protect existing affordable units.","Lucas Metropolitan Housing CEO outlined LMH’s portfolio, programs including homeownership vouchers, development efforts and financial constraints tied to HUD proration, deferred maintenance and potential federal cuts.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574043,"Toledo homelessness board: homelessness rising sharply; calls for expanded shelters, rapid rehousing and coordination",620,1556000,2176000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3118466-9cb4403e2dc5746cb8b5bf81ba2cc797&start=1556&end=2176","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3118466-9cb4403e2dc5746cb8b5bf81ba2cc797/thumbnail_1556000.jpg","/articles/6574043/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Toledo-homelessness-board-homelessness-rising-sharply-calls-for-expanded-shelters-rapid-rehousing-and-coordination","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574043-6cb5ebaf084cd3e63b08d1707c802a2e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833190&Signature=bmeRRQ7ARrbqjJMVKoKkRI4h64yb8yMOmsbg4q9Vp6M5NdZd0hsQvPqJqcdwiZYrspUA6zMl7ikpkHfKBPjlXnjDByadi-KF0RzsBIc1mnWnoF~Eb19lKjJ0U0RBYimo3AWyjdoPOoGCphh9m4-yaJzNv-JptouF9CCz1KGU15o1dYAqYS40fB-p-1EhqgwWyn52-c0QfqhwSTvF2DwPSJfCXoXgbroEbsQYpwmMB5wfJx3ww5ss6m0X1bl8ATdOsFEOthILjWOwu2HzUNO74xRgqvmiovlLigUK92BE3iJEJOa154SzsPVP-UyTryem7TT4hOiGHxxzegabPoMoUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Julie Embry, executive director of the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board, told the public hearing that homelessness in Toledo has increased sharply in recent years and urged the city and community partners to expand prevention and long‑term housing supports.

“Nearly 3,400 individuals experienced homelessness in 2024 alone,” Embry said, and she told listeners that figure represented a roughly 30% increase over the previous four years. She added that more than half of those counted were experiencing homelessness for the first time and that at the time of her remarks the community had an estimated 1,600 people currently homeless, including 322 families with children.

Embry credited existing local work but said gaps remain. She urged expansion of shelters and rapid‑rehousing programs, increased coordination across agencies and stronger data alignment. She said Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) services are “sorely underfunded,” and she highlighted a $4,000,000 HUD grant through a housing production or barrier‑removal program (described by the speaker as a HUD pro‑housing grant) intended to support efforts to identify and remove barriers to affordable housing production.

Embry also noted that Lucas Metropolitan Housing operates more than 2,500 affordable units and that the Home for Everyone continuum of care had issued a strategic plan aimed at improved service coordination. She called for communitywide commitments on prevention, supportive services and enforcement against discriminatory housing practices that limit access for vulnerable groups, and urged residents to attend public meetings and submit comments to the consolidated plan process.

The homelessness board’s priorities, as presented, include expanding no‑barrier shelters, scaling rapid rehousing and prevention programming, improving coordination and data sharing among providers, and pursuing policy changes to expand access to housing choice vouchers and other tools. Embry concluded with a call to action: “Housing is not a privilege. It's a right.”","Julie Embry of the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board told the consolidated‑plan hearing that homelessness rose about 30% over four years, described gaps in shelters and ESG funding, and highlighted a $4 million HUD grant intended to reduce barriers to affordable housing production.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6574048,"Toledo holds second public hearing on 2025–29 consolidated plan, opens 30-day comment period",4256,166000,4422000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3118466-9cb4403e2dc5746cb8b5bf81ba2cc797&start=166&end=4422","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3118466-9cb4403e2dc5746cb8b5bf81ba2cc797/thumbnail_166000.jpg","/articles/6574048/Toledo/Lucas-County/Ohio/Toledo-holds-second-public-hearing-on-202529-consolidated-plan-opens-30-day-comment-period","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6574048-a7f326c52feddedb6f3929c1997ff8dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770833190&Signature=WzIPHYWyeFHh4VE9bK38wQOBOC7jtfMR3bp15xSpp~w3EhG56qGuhJQgaJkJZQ4cAC1kfI3dn3KME7juGJaSxjOYJJU2NGh98N7rbZlmgqyWYKG7tq2CZlK6uPLHpqieD6P0erJAA602ziYkVjO79uoc3IpNKR6myJd~IEMw1hbDxdFUSII6kIh9JzmWzU3FqY~oDKrXh8BWWIfLBwFsMEdvyWcSCUCo9nJVvrLeMpObohOTzNIKvWwpu0LTYvVt9hvevskgni8bnRvwWBbRkVCqRb3vlKVjgRZoGaVmvxPfaGsUZSEur4eC4GROEkBpZx1Xv8X3JTCLPgIbSWIuBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The City of Toledo Department of Housing and Community Development held a second public hearing on its 2025–29 consolidated plan, a five‑year strategy for federal housing and community development funds, and opened a 30‑day public comment period that runs through May 23.

Brian Hall, president of CEW Advisors, described the consolidated plan as “a 5 year strategic plan for the utilization of federal funds through the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.” Hall told attendees the plan draws on data, community meetings, focus groups and consultations to identify priority needs and to guide how the city will allocate limited federal funding over the next five years.

Hall said the plan focuses on affordable housing, homelessness response, public services, infrastructure and economic development. He told the hearing that Toledo expects roughly $9.6 million in HUD funds in a typical year and about $47.3 million over the five‑year period covered by the draft. The draft is posted on the city’s housing department web page, and Hall urged residents to review the executive summary and priority‑needs sections and submit comments.

Monica Brown, grants manager for the Department of Housing and Community Development, opened the hearing and handled logistics for public comments and submissions. City staff said written comments may be emailed to neighborhoodstoledo@oh.gov or mailed to City of Toledo, Department of Housing and Community Development, 1 Government Center, Suite 1800, Toledo, OH 43604.

Hall outlined the three primary HUD funding streams the city expects to use: the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), described as the most flexible and typically the largest annual pot; the HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), intended for affordable housing development and rehabilitation and estimated at about $1.9 million a year; and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), focused on homelessness services and estimated at about $650,000 a year. Hall emphasized that the totals are modest relative to the city’s identified needs and that the plan is intended to target limited funds to priority uses.

City staff and the CEW team said the draft consolidated plan includes an executive summary, a detailed needs assessment (including housing market analysis and lead‑hazard risk), a strategic plan, and an annual action plan for the first program year. Hall said the needs assessment highlighted severe cost burden, aging housing stock and lead hazards, and neighborhood vacancy and blight as leading drivers of demand for city investment.

The hearing concluded after presenters invited oral comments and a final reminder of the May 23 comment deadline. The city will accept oral testimony at later scheduled hearings (the next hearing was announced for May 1) and will incorporate public input into the final plan to be sent to HUD.","City officials and consultants outlined priorities for the five-year HUD-backed consolidated plan — including affordable housing, homelessness response, infrastructure and public services — and opened a 30‑day public comment period through May 23.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Fair Housing Center presents action plan, identifies 14 barriers to housing choice in Toledo

Lucas Metropolitan Housing outlines programs, capacity and funding uncertainties at consolidated‑plan hearing

Toledo homelessness board: homelessness rising sharply; calls for expanded shelters, rapid rehousing and coordination

Toledo holds second public hearing on 2025–29 consolidated plan, opens 30-day comment period