Jentleson took the plan to city hall, got it approved, and, in 2009, the city helped financially to buy and remove vacant homes.
“The next year, we built 40 homes and it made sense to keep going,” Jentleson said. “We were awarded a second tax credit and built another 40.”
Working with Oberer as its construction partner, and with help from St. Marys Development, the project has overseen the teardown of 105 structures, replaced with brand-new homes.
“We have 72 four-bedroom energy efficient homes with fences and porches — all are handicap accessible, and we have eight three-bedroom, one-floor cottages with even more accessibility.”
The Stimulus Package allowed the group to build four more homes, so there will be a total of 84.
“This isn’t gentrification,” Jentleson said. “Homes are being offered at a low market rate, so residents won’t be displaced. Rent is very affordable, with the option to buy after 15 years at very reduced prices.”
The first 40 homes are occupied, and 22 homes in the second phase of the project are occupied.
“East End Community Services focuses on comprehensive community development,” says Jentleson, who left a successful city career — where she often served as a neighborhood advocate — in 2007 to start the program.
East End has also been instrumental in student education; unhappy with the quality of public education available when the program began, East End started its own charter school before the new Ruskin school was built and many staff members replaced. When the new building was completed, the charter school was incorporated into Dayton Public Schools as part of the site.
“Now, we’re a partner agency for Ruskin PreK-8 Neighborhood School, and have an afterschool program, youth development and adult programming.
“We’re in the neighborhood to help children succeed. To accomplish that, they need good education, health services, stable families and safe, high-quality housing — so we work in all of those areas.”
About the Author