YWCA Hamilton seeks $400,000 in HOME funds for 45-unit supportive-housing project

Butler County commissioners on April 12 heard a presentation from the YWCA Hamilton asking the board to authorize a contract of up to $400,000 in federal HOME funds to support development of 45 permanent supportive-housing rental units and an expanded domestic-violence shelter.

"It is a transformational moment in the YWCA's history as we will build a brand new campus," said Wendy Waters Knoell, executive director and CEO of YWCA Hamilton. She told the board the development will include 45 permanent supportive-housing units, a domestic-violence shelter that will double the size of the YWCA's current shelter, and that the overall development will total more than $13,000,000. Knoell said the deal is scheduled to close April 21 and that the organization will host a virtual groundbreaking this week.

County staff asked the board to approve the HOME and Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 2021 action plan and to authorize execution of a contract with the YWCA Hamilton consistent with Resolution 20-0801065. Staff noted the HOME funds in question would be the last public funding source committed to the project; state, city and other funding are expected to be used first.

The request was presented during the community development portion of the consent agenda and drew expressions of support from the YWCA and a public commenter who praised local block-grant investments tied to neighborhood projects. The board did not record a separate, on-the-record roll-call vote specifically on the YWCA contract in the audible record; staff presented the item for approval as part of routine agenda items.