OCCH Partners Recognized at 20th Anniversary Luncheon

Partners Receive Awards of Excellence and Resident Development Fund Awards

With more the 600 partners in attendance at the annual Partner Luncheon, OCCH celebrated its 20th anniversary serving affordable housing as a financial intermediary of low income housing tax credits.  During the luncheon, Hal Keller, OCCH President; Jack Kukura, Chief of Acquisitions; and Tony DiBlasi, Chief of Asset Management recognized the following partners for their contributions to affordable housing.  Those organizations receiving an Award of Excellence were:

Park National Bank—Special Investor Recognition



Park National Bank has invested in all 20 Ohio Equity Funds. Park National Corporation is a $7.1 billion enterprise based in Newark, Ohio with 12 affiliated banks around the state. It is respected as the model community bank by its peers and has a long tradition of its leaders serving as heads of the Ohio Bankers League and national bank trade associations.

Edgewood Village—Excellence in Neighborhood Revitalization



In 2007, the dilapidated, troubled Edgewood public housing project on Akron’s near west side was demolished as part of a comprehensive plan to revitalize the neighborhood.  Edgewood Village is the first rental phase of the larger Edgewood Village HOPE VI project revitalizing the area and improving the quality of available affordable rental housing options for the citizens of Akron. Edgewood Village will provide affordable family and elderly housing, along with market rate homeownership opportunities.

Opportunity House—Excellence in Special Needs Housing



Daybreak is a 24-hour, regional youth residential resource center in Dayton, Ohio.  The agency opened an emergency shelter in 1975 and its supportive housing program in 1989.  In 2008, Daybreak opened the doors of Opportunity House.  Opportunity House is a 50,000 sq. ft. facility which offers 24 efficiency style permanent supportive housing units and 16 units of emergency shelter housing.  Opportunity House also offers counseling services, educational and life skills training programs, recreation facilities, and serves as the corporate offices and main outreach center for Daybreak, Inc.  The housing program is designed to help homeless youth, ages 18 through 21 achieve greater levels of self-sufficiency and independence by providing affordable housing with intensive support services

Frank Cook Senior Housing—Excellence in Senior Housing



Frank Cook Senior Housing is a result of the collaboration of PIRHL, Zanesville Metropolitan Housing Authority, and Buckeye Community Hope Foundation. This uniquely designed aesthetically pleasing project

had significant challenges topographically, but the developers used these challenges to their advantage and created a beautiful community in Zanesville, Ohio . A third floor outside balcony offers views that go on for miles and the blending of the kitchen with the living room allows for the kitchen to become part of the living space. 

Michelle Chiefo—Excellence in Compliance



Michelle Chieffo, the compliance manager at Columbus’ YWCA, was faced with significant challenges when she joined the organization 3 years ago – as there were substantial compliance issues in need of attention. She established robust systems and smart management practices to help her monitor and manage the heavy compliance workload at this 102-unit project. Today, the YWCA achieves ‘excellent’ file reviews from both OFHA and OCCH.

Cheryl Bodi—Excellence in Site Management



Concord Apartments is a 40-unit senior project located in Port Clinton, Ohio – currently in its 12th year of operation.  This project is part of a larger ‘campus’ offering a variety of housing options for the elderly, operated by Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services. Cheryl Bodi, Site Manager, received an award of excellence for maintaining superb curb appeal, pursuing outstanding management practices and for achieving the highest levels of performance.

MV Residential Property Management, Inc.—Excellence in Marketing