Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing Hosts Professional Housing Delegation from Uzbekistan

(Local government and private sector housing officials meet to discuss development of the housing sector in Uzbekistan as part of a three-week program)

Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing hosted ten professionals from different regions of Uzbekistan, participating in a three-week program in the United States to gather experience and new ideas to support the development of the housing sector in Uzbekistan.  OCCH coordinated the efforts to have the delegation meet with various local government and private sector housing officials.

While in Columbus, the delegation from Uzbekistan met with members of the Ohio legislature and representatives from the following organizations: the Ohio Department of Development, (ODOD); the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, (OHFA); the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, (OCCH); Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM); Habitat for Humanity; and the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio, (COHHIO).   The delegation learned about best practices in property management, partnerships between public and private partners, advocacy, housing policy, financing strategies, and other topics.

In 1999, the Uzbekistan government turned over formerly state-owned and operated housing communities to private Housing Associations.  These Housing Associations have struggled with property management, social services, funding, and other issues related to affordable housing.   The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has tried to assist Uzbekistan in reforming its housing sector. USAID sponsored the delegation on its three week mission to provide the participants with knowledge of a democratic approach to housing management and to provide tools necessary for the Housing Associations to advocate for their communities and to hold local government accountable.
 
“OCCH is excited to host this unique meeting that provides an opportunity to create a professional linkage between our local community and the Uzbekistan community,” said Joe Pimmel, Assistant Chief of Staff at OCCH. “We are pleased to share our collective experiences and knowledge within the housing industry with these delegates who aspire to create positive economic changes.”