![]() Older DeSoto Bass Courts residents have fond memories of the sense of community they once had in their neighborhood. ![]() At its peak, DeSoto Bass Courts contained more than 524 units today it has less than 350. Over the years, one third of the buildings have been demolished to reduce density. ![]() Great care was given to its development Aerial photo of DeSoto Bass as is noted most specifically in the naming of the housing complex and the streets that surround it, which honor prominent African-American leaders. As it re-turned to traditional public housing, for many years it was the only public housing complex that would rent to black tenants, providing a much-needed resource for low-income residents and young families who were unable to rent in affordable neighborhoods. Originally intended for low-in-come families, during World War II, it was expanded to provide housing for industrial war workers and then again for military housing for returning veterans. “This is going to be a good place for a family,” he said.Built in 1945 as the first public housing development in Dayton, DeSoto Bass Courts is in the Miami Chapel neighborhood and has gone through several development phases. Naas said that will take cooperation with all the neighbors around Count圜orp’s new properties and ensuring all the homes return to good condition. “We plan to really bring all of our energy to bear to make it better for the immediate neighborhoods,” he said. Naas hopes 15 to 20% of the tenants undertake the process, on par with national lease-to-purchase programs, but for the remaining tenants, he said Count圜orp plans to help them make their neighborhood a safe, desirable, and affordable place to live. We’re looking to be a better homeowner and landlord than what the tenants have had to deal with.” “We’re not looking to change their housing at all. “We’re not looking to force anyone into homeownership,” he said. For those interested in continuing to rent, Naas said Count圜orp will help there too. “We don’t expect 100 of the tenants to become homeowners but they’re at zero right now,” he said.įor those who are willing, Naas said he’ll direct them to Count圜orp’s Homeownership Center which provides guidance and connects them with services to assist with down payments. Naas is working with Mason-based property management company Nelson & Associates to bring the homes back up to standard, then he said he’ll get to work helping the tenants determine if they want to make these homes their own. Naas walks through a unit with John Nelson from Nelson & Associates. Naas said these rental homes, scattered throughout a few neighborhoods in West Dayton, were on the market for a few years, and many of the tenants reported the former owners offered limited maintenance and support to the properties. “That creates a real problem for the community.” “When the rental unit price goes from $1200 a month to $1500 in a one-year time frame, with no substantive improvement in the structure,” he said. They estimate the county will need 20,000 more affordable units over the next five years to meet rising demand. The Miami Valley Housing Collaborative estimates more than 40% of renters are cost-burdened, paying more than 30% of their income on housing. This 100-home investment is the largest Count圜orp has ever undertaken, more than doubling the number of properties in its inventories, but Naas said it represents only a fraction of the affordable homes Dayton needs on the market. It’s been Count圜orp’s mission for the past 40 years, serving as a developer for affordable rentals, and running a homeownership center to help buyers and homeowners across Montgomery County buy and maintain their homes. “We want to improve homeownership equity in our community,” Naas said. Interested tenants will receive help through the Homeownership Center.Count圜orp plans to offer tenants the opportunity to transition into homeowners.Most of the 100 homes were occupied, many need significant maintenance. ![]() Count圜orp purchased $2.5 million worth of homes in West Dayton. ![]()
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