Clermont County approves ARPA amendment to move Veterans Village project to Monroe Township

The Clermont County Board of Commissioners on Nov. 3 approved an amendment to the county's ARPA subrecipient agreement with Clermont Housing Corporation to change the location and some design standards for the Veterans Village project.

Desmond Mayotte, the county's community development administrator, said the amendment became necessary after the original site faced local zoning obstacles. "We understand that Clermont Housing Corporation has received their zoning certificate for this property," he said, noting a supporting resolution from the Monroe Township Board of Trustees was included in the meeting packet.

Project details provided at the meeting: the revised phase 1 will consist of 19 units (16 one-bedroom units and 3 two-bedroom units) in small multi-unit buildings (triplexes/quadplexes arranged to meet the new site's zoning) and a community center. Mayotte described the site as 15 acres on State Route 125 with full sewer and water and said ODOT had been consulted.

Commissioner comment and funding update: Commissioners described the new site as centrally located and noted the project recently received an additional $200,000 in funding, which county staff said would go toward the project.

Timing and eligibility: County staff said the housing will target veterans who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or living in substandard housing (including those "couch surfing"). Clermont Housing Corporation estimated construction would begin in spring.

Vote: The board moved, seconded and approved the amendment by roll call vote.

Ending: The amendment leaves the original subrecipient agreement's other terms in force. County staff said the project is phase 1 of a larger plan and will proceed under the revised zoning and design standards approved by Monroe Township.