FILE – Through a grant from the Ohio Department of Development’s Welcome Home Ohio program, the Jefferson County Land Bank commissioned the construction of a single-story home at 612 Logan Street in Steubenville.

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Land Bank has been awarded another $301,000 from the Welcome Home Ohio program, money the group will use to construct three new homes.

Funding for the Welcome Home Ohio program was part of the state’s biennium budget bill passed by the Ohio General Assembly and signed by Gov. Mike DeWine last year.

“Whether it’s supporting workforce needs, attracting new residents to Ohio, or helping longtime residents stay in the communities they love, housing matters,” DeWine said. “The projects we support through Welcome Home Ohio create safe and affordable housing options for families today, while building momentum for future generations to live their very best lives.”

The program provides grants for both the purchase of qualifying residential properties at foreclosure sales and for the rehabilitation or construction of homes. Land banks, county land reutilization corporations, electing subdivisions and qualified nonprofit developers are eligible to apply.

Another $20 million in non-refundable tax credits are available through the biennium to help land banks, county land reutilization corporations, electing subdivisions and eligible developers complete qualifying rehabs and new construction once a property is sold. Tax credit applications are currently being accepted on a rolling basis until all funds are expended.

The funding will support the Jefferson County Land Bank’s plans to construct three more affordable, single-family homes in Jefferson County.

The group received $660,556 in 2025 for construction of three single-family homes. Construction of the first one, at 612 Logan St., Steubenville, wrapped up in March 2026. The remaining two houses are under construction at 823 N. Fifth St., Steubenville, and 801 N. Fourth St., Toronto.

With the latest grant announcement, the Jefferson County Land Bank has been awarded a total of $960,557 to build six new family homes in Jefferson County.

“The WHO grant allows us to further our current projects and also helps us to move forward on some of our future endeavors,” JCLB President Brian Scarpone said Thursday. “The Land Bank was very pleased to receive the grant money.”

Since its inception, Welcome Home Ohio has awarded nearly $86 million to support the creation of 727 homes in 63 Ohio counties.

“Every property restored through Welcome Home Ohio represents exciting new potential for a neighborhood and the people who call it home,” said Lydia Mihalic, director of the Ohio Department of Development, which oversees the Welcome Home Ohio program. “These investments are helping our local partners create housing solutions that meet today’s needs while preparing for tomorrow’s growth.”

The Welcome Home Ohio program gives qualifying individuals an opportunity to purchase a newly constructed house at an affordable price. Officials say the program is “giving families the opportunity to own a home who never dreamed they could be homeowners. Where there was once an empty lot will now have a single-family house with a productive family being a part of the community. The new construction will make our communities stronger by attracting new investors to the area.”