PURPOSE

The mission of the Housing Network is to assist Medina County public, private and non-profit organizations in the planning, coordination, and development of attainable housing options for at-risk persons and families in Medina County. To achieve this mission the Network will seek to:

• Offer educational and networking opportunities for providers/care givers, community leaders, consumers and the general public;

• Facilitate research and data collection on the local housing needs in Medina County;

• Support the planning, funding and development of services to meet identified needs.

Attainable housing in Medina County is a serious issue.

Did you know?

• In 2007 there were 19 homeless adults and children who were guests of Operation: HOMES for 490 nights of shelter.

• There are 357 people with developmental disabilities on the waiting list for housing and housing services.

• Cathy's House has provided transitional shelter for 400 recovering alcohol and drug addicted males since 1998.

• The "Housing Wage" is the amount a full-time worker must earn per hour in order to afford a two-bedroom unit at the Area's Fair Market Rent (FMR).  The Housing Wage in Ohio is $13.07.  The Housing Wage in Medina County is $13.94.

• A person earning the minimum wage of $7.00 would only be able to afford a monthly rent of $364.

• 43% of renters are unable to afford a two-bedroom unit at FMR of $725.

• An SSI recipient (receiving $623 monthly) can afford monthly rent of no more than $187, while the FMR for a one-bedroom unit is $602.

• Medina Metroplitan Housing Authority currently provides Housing Choice Vouchers for approximately 500 residents whose income is no more than 50% of the county median income.  However, there is almost a two-year waiting list of 1,129 households that qualify.

• The Battered Women's Shelter provided 2,844 nights of protective shelter for 73 women and 41 children in 2006.

• In 2005 there were 604 home foreclosures, a 334% increase since 1995.

Housing Network meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at 1:00 PM at Job and Family Services, lower level, 232 Northland Drive, Medina, Ohio 44256. All meetings are open to the public. 

Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Medina County Commissioner's Office at 330/722-9210 or by email.