SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—On Monday, October 26, Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and County Council passed legislation authorizing $600,000 in federal HOME funds for Grace House and I Promise Housing; each project is receiving $300,000. Every year, Summit County is given federal HOME grants to implement local housing strategies designed to increase homeownership and affordable housing opportunities for low and very low-income residents. County Executive Shapiro’s Department of Community and Economic Development works closely with community partners to allocate these funds to local housing projects.
Grace House, a nonprofit organization founded in 2016, recently broke ground on North Howard Street in Akron, the future location of its care home for indigent Summit County residents. In addition to hospice services and end of life care, Grace will provide pet therapy, music and art therapy, therapeutic massage, spiritual care, vigil companions, 24-hour care and self-care for families and staff. The facility will feature outdoor garden spaces for quiet meditation and a comfortable environment. The City of Akron will also invest HOME funds for this project.
“Grace House was born from the idea that every person should experience dignity, compassion, and care at the end of life. When completed, Grace House will serve our most vulnerable residents and provide them with the high quality end of life care,” said County Executive Shapiro. “As we so often do, our community has rallied together to support this organization and those it will help.”
The I Promise Housing Development, a East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation and The Lebron James Family Foundation project, will consist of 50 apartment units on South Maple Street in Akron. In addition to standard apartment amenities, the housing complex will provide families with resources, services and reliable technology to support their growth and independence. Using County and City of Akron HOME funds, eleven apartments will be designated HOME units for low to moderate-income individuals.
“This partnership between the East Akron Neighborhood Development Corporation, The Lebron James Family Foundation, and many other organizations demonstrates the amazing collaboration that makes Summit County so special,” said County Executive Shapiro. “This housing facility will provide much needed affordable housing to families, and connect them with the services and resources they need to grow and prosper.”
