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Akron’s housing stock and neighborhoods are important assets for our present and future. It is as important as ever to the stability and character of our neighborhoods to make home improvements possible and to create opportunities for new home construction. Concentrating housing and public improvements in neighborhoods  creates observable impact and motivates others to invest in their properties. With this in mind, the Department of Planning and Urban Development has modified the long standing Neighborhood Development Program to continue investing in our community.

For further information on the programs listed below, Contact the Housing and Community Service Division at 330-375-2050 unless otherwise noted. Refer to the program maps to find the program areas to benefit your home or neighborhood. Program Benefits

• Akron continues to invest in qualified properties to improve its outward appearance (roof, siding, windows, gutters, porches, steps, foundation) and make sure that major interior systems – heating, electrical and plumbing – are in good working order.
• The City invests up to $15,000 in rehabilitation of owner occupied homes in Redevelopment Areas, the Lead Abatement area, and the Neighborhood Initiative areas. Lower income property owners will be eligible for a $7,500 grant and a $7,500 deferred loan (deferred loans are 0% interest and are repaid when the house is sold, refinanced or transferred to heirs). Higher income property owners are eligible for a $5,000 grant and $10,000 deferred loan.
• Low interest loans are available for owners wishing to make greater investment in their property beyond what is necessary to improve the exterior and make the interior of the structure safe.
• Rental owners can receive a dollar for dollar matching grant of $7,500 for single- family properties and $15,000 for 2-4 unit properties. Lower interest loans are available to qualified borrowers to use as match for the grants.
• A rehabilitation specialist will perform a complete evaluation of the house and provide a written summary for free.
• Free bids for construction from three reputable contractors.
• Streets, sidewalks, curbs, sewers, lighting and street trees in the Redevelopment and Initiative Areas are improved where necessary.

Program Areas

Neighborhood Redevelopment Program

In central Akron, the City will promote the development of new residential construction by for-profit and non-profit builders, upgrade public infrastructure, and rehabilitate some existing housing.

Target areas will include up to 100 properties in naturally attractive areas or where additional investment activity by the City's partners is occurring. Existing property owners will be notified of the area's eligibility and invited to help create a Renewal Plan. The City will be aggressive in acquiring blighted properties, removing them and providing the land for new housing construction. Remaining properties will be eligible for the rehabilitation benefits noted above.

Lead Abatement and Rehabilitation

Central Akron has the greatest number of older homes with lead paint problems. Lead paint is a serious health risk for young children. Within this area, Akron will combine housing rehabilitation assistance with lead paint abatement activity by the Akron Health Department. Low and moderate-income homeowners with children under six years old who are at risk for lead poisoning are eligible for this assistance. Rental property owners housing lower income tenants with children under age 6 are eligible for matching grant assistance.

Neighborhood Initiative Areas

Akron’s housing rehabilitation program will be made available to a wide area of the city loosely defined as a middle ring of neighborhoods. The rehabilitation assistance will be awarded to neighborhood homeowners on a petition basis. That is, owners in these areas can circulate a petition among the property owners in areas ranging from two to four blocks and containing 20-80 structures. Petitioners will compete against other neighborhoods in their ward on the basis of the highest percentage of owners signing the petition. The first selection round of the petition program took place in 2004.

Exterior Home Improvement Areas

The City will offer housing improvement support to low and moderate-income households at the outer edges of the city, generally in certain neighborhoods of Northwest Akron, Firestone Park and Ellet. Assistance to repair the outside of homes will be available up to $5,000 as a deferred loan to address items on the exterior of single family structures that would be regarded as housing code violations.

City-Wide Activities

Minor Home Repair – City of Akron

Grants of up to $4,000 are provided to very low income homeowners who are elderly or disabled though Rebuilding Together of Summit County. This will correct one or two emergency problems or housing code violations on a house.

Contact the Housing and Community Service Division at 330-375-2050

Neighborhood Blight Removal

In sound neighborhoods where there are deteriorated residential or non-residential properties, the City is prepared to acquire such properties and seek their removal. The property must be vacant and the owner must be a willing seller. Only fair market value will be offered for the purchase. The remaining lot must of sufficient size for new construction.

Waiver Demolition

The City will demolish a house or garage for free at the request of the owner. The owner retains ownership of the lot.

Contact the Development Services Division at 330-375-2640 to inquire about demolition programs.