The Local Lineup: 6/17 Housing Policy Brief

Cuyahoga County

Cleveland Heights, OH

Cleveland Heights is adopting a Comprehensive Plan for Affordable Housing and a Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Program, as required by Ohio Revised Code Section 176. The plan establishes a five-year policy framework for preserving and expanding affordable housing using local tax dollars. The DPA program targets households earning up to 120% of Area Median Income who are ready for homeownership but lack the savings to close. The ordinance was declared an emergency measure to take effect immediately.

Ordinance No. 125-2026 establishes a new Municipal Property Development and Disposition Committee to oversee what happens to city-owned vacant, unused, or underutilized properties. The five-member advisory committee will review these parcels and make recommendations on redevelopment, sale, or reuse in ways that support housing, neighborhood stabilization, and blight elimination.

Strongsville, OH

Ordinance No. 2026-037 amends the city’s zoning rules around accessory buildings (detached garages, sheds) and overhangs on open structures like pergolas or covered patios — clarifying how close these can sit to property lines in residential yards.

Summit County

Silver Lake, OH

Ordinance No. 29-2026 creates a new short-term rental chapter (Chapter 711) in the Village’s zoning code. Council noted that Silver Lake is a small residential community with no known active short-term rentals, though inquiries have been made. The ordinance is focused on regulating short-term occupancy of residential properties.

Twinsburg, OH

Ordinance 2026-085 amends Twinsburg’s Point of Sale Exterior Inspection Program, which currently requires a property inspection before a home can be sold. Details on the specific changes are pending, but any updates to this program could affect transaction timelines and seller requirements.