Policy proposal · 2024

Ohio Housing Accountability and Revitalization Program

OHARP

Status
Concept proposal
Body of work
Policy & program design
Public format
Authored synopsis

OHARP is a statewide proposal addressing vacant, abandoned, and poorly managed rental property through landlord accountability, vacancy taxation, affordable-housing incentives, community revitalization, and centralized enforcement infrastructure.

Absentee ownership, weak enforcement, prolonged vacancy, and fragmented property records allow housing deterioration to impose costs on tenants and communities while owners remain insulated from local consequences.

  • Requires out-of-area landlords to appoint accountable local agents and register properties annually.
  • Creates an escalating vacancy tax with exemptions for active sale or permitted rehabilitation.
  • Directs revenue toward rental assistance, affordable housing, homelessness prevention, and blight rehabilitation.
  • Supports community land trusts, adaptive reuse, small-business projects, and historic preservation.
  • Proposes a statewide rental registry and stronger enforcement coordination.
  • Developed as a structured statewide housing proposal.
housingvacancylandlord accountabilitycommunity revitalization