Advancing Affordable Homeownership in Toledo
The City of Toledo Department of Housing and Community Development is launching a new initiative designed to support the creation of affordable homes for ownership through strategic development partnerships.
UPLIFT is for non-profit and for-profit developers who are building in Toledo but may be facing financial gaps that limit project feasibility.
The program can help:
- bridge funding gaps that make projects difficult to complete
- increase housing production in targeted neighborhoods
- support developers expanding into inner-city markets
- provide quality, bold, and modern housing for first-time home buyers
- promote innocative and cost-effective construction methods
By leveraging public investment to support private development, UPLIFT aims to increase the supply of affordable homeownership opportunities and strengthen neighborhoods across the city.
How the Program Works
The Utilizing Progressive Leveraged Investments to Finance Transformation (UPLIFT) Program supports eligible developers working in the City's Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas (NRSA) to construct new, affordable homes.
Eligible Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Areas
The Englewood NRSA is located in central Toledo, just west of downtown, bounded by I-75, Dorr St, Detroit Ave. and Monroe St.
Learn more about Englewood NRSAFunding
Minimium subsidy: $10,000 per housing unit
Maximum subsidy: $125,000 per housing uni
Eligible Developers
The program is open to all nonprofit and for-profit developers that:
- Have at least 2 years of affordable housing devlopment expertise
- Demonstrate the capacity to complete residential development projects
- Are in good standing with applicable local, state, and federal requirements
- Market completed homes to qualified homebuyers
Eligible Projects
- Located in the Englewood Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area
- NEW residential construction
- At least 1,000 sq. ft. of habitable space per unit
- Meet all applicable building code and program requirements
Note: Future funding may expand to additional NRSAs
Schedule
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Pre-Application Meeting Mandatory meeting for program information for interested applicants. Join meeting here. | Wednesday, June 24, 2026 |
| Application Opens Application is open in ZoomGrants. | Wednesday, July 1, 2026 |
| Office Hours Applicants are welcome to contact ZoomGrants support for application assistance. | TBD |
| Question Submission Deadline Applicants can submit questions on our website. | Wednesday, July 15, 2026 3 p.m. |
| FAQ Posted to Website All answers to question submissions will be available online to review before the application closes. | Friday, July 17, 2026 Noon |
| Application Submission Deadline Full application due. No late applications will be accepted. | Friday, August 14, 2026 5 p.m. |
| Conditional Awards All applicants will receive a decision. Accepted applicants will be scheduled for a pre-project meeting. | Friday, September 18, 2026 |
| Developmental Agreement Deadline The development agreement must be signed before work begins. | TBD |
| Project Completion Deadline All work must be completed, Certificate of Completion or Certificate of Occupancy issued, and reimbursement documentation submitted. | Wednesday, June 30, 2027 |
Scoring Rubric
| Category | Criteria |
|---|---|
Experience, Capacity, and Composition | At least 2 years of affordable housing development experience:
|
| Project Impact | Clear and comprehensive project narrative:
|
| Leveraging Resources | Complete overview of budget:
|
| Readiness to Proceed | Demonstrates project is ready to move forward:
|
| Design Quality | High-quality, well-designed housing product:
|
| Exhibits | Includes all required attachments and supporting documents. |