Senator Reynolds Announces Implementation Of REDD Program

COLUMBUS—Senator Michele Reynolds (R-Canal Winchester) announces the implementation of Residential Economic Development District Grants Program (REDD), which provides funding for counties, townships, and municipal corporations located within 20 miles of a major economic development project.

"The implementation of the REDD program is a vital step toward ensuring that housing is accessible and affordable," said Senator Reynolds. "I proudly sponsored this legislation and fought for its inclusion in the biennial budget, and I am glad to see the Ohio Department of Development use it to its full effect."

On November 12th, 2025, the Ohio Department of Development (DOD) announced the guidelines for REDD program grants. These guidelines include:

• Eligible Applicants
  • A county, township, or municipal corporation that is fully or partially located within a residential economic development district.
• Eligible Costs
  • Administrative costs, which shall not exceed 10% of the total request
  • Providing capital for housing development through grants or loans.
  • Readying sites for development.
  • Providing financial assistance for housing-related infrastructure projects including road improvements and water or sewer connections.
  • Addressing additional service or public safety needs due to increases in population.
• Ineligible Costs
  • Administrative costs related to application preparation.
  • Costs incurred outside of the executed grant agreement dates.
• Application Evaluation Criteria
  • Each application will be reviewed based on information received and will be screened for completeness and eligibility. A scoring metric will be applied, with more points awarded to projects that:
    • Have more units per acre, starting with two units per acre.
    • Reduce or have smaller lot sizes, starting with an average of 7,500 square feet.
    • Reduce or have smaller setback requirements, starting with six feet.
    • Reduce or have lesser open space requirements, starting with 25% of gross acreage.
    • Lower or eliminate fees for the inspection, plan, impact, or water and sewer tap fee reductions.
    • Use both rigid and flexible pavement types.
    • Use the grant funds to conduct traffic studies and thoroughfare plans or can demonstrate success in previously completing such studies or plans for a major workforce housing project.
    • Use the grant funds to complete sanitary sewer or water extensions as related to a major workforce housing project.
    • Adopt more pro-housing development policies – both in quantity and impact.
• Application processApplication rounds will occur every 30 days
  • Applications will be accepted online through OHID
• Grant Agreement
  • To the extent the awarded applicant is found to be non-compliant with the terms and conditions of the executed agreement, DOD may exercise any and all remedial actions available to it, including reallocating project funds to other eligible applicants.
• Reimbursement Requests
  • Upon execution of a grant agreement, DOD will provide access to a disbursement request portal. Applicants will only be able to receive reimbursements once a valid Ohio Supplier ID matching the FEIN/SSN provided in the application has been obtained and is verified by Development.
• Reporting
  • If awarded, grantees must submit quarterly progress reports and a final performance report. Quarterly reports are due 15 calendar days after the end of the previous quarter. Final performance reports are due 60 days after the work completion deadline for the grant, indicated in the grant agreement. 

The Ohio Department of Development will be hosting a webinar for REDD applicants at 10am on November 19th.

For more information and to register for the webinar, please visit the Ohio Department of development here: https://development.ohio.gov/community/redevelopment/residential-economic-development-district-program

 
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