New Roots Oxford housing project may shrink or be unviable

A housing development for adults with developmental disabilities along Hester Road that’s been planned since 2025 will likely need to decrease the number of units it makes available to tenants, Assistant City Manager Jessica Greene told the Oxford Housing Advisory Commission (HAC) April 2.

According to Greene, real estate company EmpowerMe Living LLC, which partnered with Inclusive Housing Resources for New Roots Oxford, a neuro-inclusive affordable housing project, is “really struggling” with the development. 

Greene told HAC members the project that began with a planned 16 single-family units may now be cut down by nearly half.

EmpowerMe Living and Inclusive Housing Resources are seeing higher costs for the project than expected, related to installing a sewer system on the property, Greene said.

Although several sewer system options have been explored for the development, Greene said all of the options are expensive, and the partners have asked if they may decrease the size of the project to keep overall costs down. 

When the project was recommended to the city by HAC in April 2025, HAC considered EmpowerMe Living’s proposal alongside three other proposals, including one from Habitat for Humanity.

American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding of $1 million was divided between Habitat and EmpowerMe Living, each receiving $500,000. 

Greater Cincinnati Habitat for Humanity is currently leading another 30-unit townhome development on Chestnut Street, for which all funding must be spent by the end of this year. Originally, Habitat planned for 32 units at this development, although Greene said this was lowered to 30 due to expenses related to sewer infrastructure as well.

During an April 7 meeting, Oxford City Councilors agreed to an amended subgrant agreement which would allow them to award the full $1 million of ARPA funds from the Butler County Commission to the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cincinnati if it deems the New Roots Oxford project is unviable.

Greene said EmpowerMe Living and Inclusive Housing Resources are trying to proceed with developing around 10 units.

“My confidence is wavering,” Greene said of the project being completed. 

If the city chooses to allot the full ARPA funding to Habitat, Greene said the group could find new funding to complete the development.

“If their project doesn’t proceed, that doesn’t mean their project is dead forever,” Greene said. “We’re learning how difficult (building) affordable housing is.”

Greene said Habitat already has their permits for the Chestnut Street development and is looking at how it can make housing units affordable. She said Habitat hopes to break ground this month and have the first 10 houses completed and occupied by December. 

Sheltering options

Greene explored other sheltering options for the city moving forward. 

During the Oxford Area Solutions for Housing meeting in March, member Ann Fuehrer told the group the Oxford Winter House temporary shelter, which was open from December 2025 through February, received $97,940 total in donations alongside its $70,000 grant from the city. After the Winter House closed, she estimated $57,900 remained to be used for future shelter and affordable housing solutions.

Simultaneously, HAC continues to search for sheltering and affordable housing solutions within the city.

Greene offered the idea of continuing the Winter House for another winter season. She also offered the idea of a warming/cooling space or “day center” which would provide a year-round community room for people to shower, do laundry, grab a snack or hang out for the day.

Another idea Greene brought up was providing permanent supportive housing, including wraparound supports. She said this could look like a small property with under 10 units backed by rent payments and other government funding.

HAC discussed ways to fund each of these ideas, including the city’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, the use of opioid settlement and ARPA interest funding.

Greene said by next month, it would be ideal for the group to come up with recommendations for the city council with ideas for funding routes.