These Springfield groups are making new houses available for those who need them most

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“This home was made possible with the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, NSP funds through the City of Springfield,” Koumoutsos said recently while on the site of a home that is nearly completed and for which a family has been chosen.

The groups are close to finishing that project, in the 800 block of Clifton Avenue. The one-story home has an estimated value of about $100,000, and the majority of the work is being done by volunteers.

“ They are from construction backgrounds, a lot of them are retired and they just want to give back here in the Springfield and Clark County community,” said Dave Clem, executive director of the Clark County Fuller Center for Housing.

“(Soon) we are going to go ahead and have everything all nicely landscaped with the lawn and everything is going to be taken care of and we will put down new grass seed and make it beautiful.”

These homes are available to people who currently live in substandard housing in the Springfield community. They must meet income qualifications to be considered for one of the news homes, and some funds can be used to fix homes as well, he said.

“With our funding and our development, our home ownership counseling and credit counseling, all of our resources combined with the Fuller Center and their volunteer resources … we can create a really nice affordable home for someone,” Koumoutsos said.

The organizations hope to make housing more available in the city during a time when there is growth in some areas.

Topre America Corp. will create 204 jobs and invest $73 million as part of an expansion to its plant in the Champion City Business Park. Topre made its first move in Springfield in December 2016, when the Japanese auto parts firm announced plans to invest $10 million in a new 20,000-square-foot stamping facility that would create 20 jobs.

Then in March of last year, Topre increased its investment to $55 million in a 177,000-square-foot site and adding 85 jobs after it acquired additional work supplying manufacturers like Honda and Toyota. The expansion announced earlier this month was its largest yet, with plans to add another 138,000 square feet, create 204 more jobs and invest $73 million.

Koumoutsos believes business moves in the area will bring more people to town and that will continue a housing demand.

Those interested in applying for the housing program can call 937-322-4623.