COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio is rolling out a major new financial initiative aimed at expanding housing availability in rural communities, as state leaders open applications for a $100 million loan program designed to support single-family home construction across the state.
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Gov. Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Development Director Lydia Mihalik announced that municipalities can now apply for funding through the Residential Development Revolving Loan Fund (RDRLF) Program, which will provide low-interest loans to help cover infrastructure costs tied to new residential development.
The program is intended to address one of the most persistent barriers to home construction in smaller and rural communities: the cost of installing essential infrastructure such as roads, water lines, sewer systems, and utilities. By helping local governments fund those improvements, state officials hope to accelerate the construction of new homes and expand housing options for Ohio residents.
State leaders say the loan program is specifically structured to benefit rural and underserved communities, where housing shortages and infrastructure funding gaps have slowed development despite strong demand.
The $100 million pool of available funding will allow municipalities to move forward with residential projects that may otherwise remain stalled due to limited local budgets. Loans issued through the program are expected to revolve over time, allowing the fund to continue supporting housing growth beyond the initial round of awards.
Rather than financing individual homebuilders, the RDRLF Program focuses on community-level infrastructure investment, recognizing that roads, utilities, and site preparation are often the deciding factors in whether new housing projects can move forward.
By strengthening infrastructure, the state aims to create conditions that attract private investment and support long-term economic development, particularly in areas facing population decline or limited housing supply.
The initiative aligns with broader state efforts to strengthen Ohio’s economy by ensuring workers have access to affordable housing near job centers. Housing availability has increasingly become a workforce issue, particularly in rural regions where employers struggle to attract and retain employees due to limited residential options.
Officials say the loan program will help communities position themselves for growth while maintaining local control over development decisions.
Applications for the Residential Development Revolving Loan Fund are now open, with awards expected to be announced later this year.
Originally reported by Staff Reports in WV News.
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