HEBRON, OH – National Church Residences is expanding affordable housing options for older adults in one of Central Ohio’s fastest-growing regions with the opening of Hebron Station, a new 42-unit affordable housing community in Licking County developed in response to rising housing costs and increasing demand for attainable senior housing.
The new community is one of the earliest developments to be awarded financing through the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County’s Regional Impact Fund, created to help spur housing development beyond Franklin County as part of the broader regional housing strategy first envisioned by Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther and other regional leaders. Convened by the Columbus Partnership and known as the Central Ohio Regional Housing Coalition (CORHC), the initiative has a long-term goal of creating 200,000 new housing units by 2036, including 100,000 units outside the City of Columbus in surrounding communities. The project was also supported by the Licking County Housing Investment Fund, a locally driven funding effort focused on reinvesting dollars back into communities across Licking County to expand affordable housing opportunities.
Hebron Station was fully leased before opening and already maintains a growing waitlist, emphasizing the increasing demand for affordable housing throughout Licking County as economic expansion and rising development costs continue placing pressure on housing supply.
“Communities across Central Ohio are confronting a housing challenge that requires collaboration at every level,” said Susan DiMickele, president and CEO of National Church Residences and an advisory board member of CORHC. “Hebron Station demonstrates what can happen when local governments, housing advocates, philanthropic organizations and development partners come together around a shared commitment to ensure older adults can continue living in the communities they helped build. The fact that the community was fully leased before opening tells us just how urgent the need has become.”
Economic growth throughout Central Ohio, including Licking County has intensified pressure on housing availability while contributing to rising land and development costs that increasingly limit affordable options for older adults. A recent survey conducted by the Licking County Foundation identified housing affordability as one of the county’s most pressing challenges, while a United Way of Licking County report found approximately 37% of households are living paycheck to paycheck and remain one unexpected expense away from financial instability. The urgency for affordable housing solutions continues to grow across Central Ohio as local housing advocates continue to point to rising housing costs and limited affordable supply as key drivers of the instability.
Hebron Station is located at 3272 Hebron Road in Hebron, Licking County offering one-bedroom apartments at a range of affordability levels, including units at 30%, 50%, 60%, and 70% of Area Median Income. The two-story building sits on 1.8 acres just north of downtown Hebron and is designed to provide both independence and connection, with open floor plans, modern finishes, energy-efficient appliances, and accessibility features throughout. Residents will have access to a community room with a full kitchen, fitness center, and on-site service coordination that connects them to essential local resources and programming. The community is pet-friendly and supported by professional property management, with safety features including fire suppression systems, security monitoring, and modern broadband infrastructure.
The new community represents a unique addition to the Village of Hebron, where housing is predominantly made up of single-family homes and cottage-style residences. Recognizing the growing need for more diverse and attainable housing options, village leaders partnered with National Church Residences to support higher-density, apartment-style development, an approach that can serve as a model for other small municipalities navigating similar growth pressures. As more adults ages 55 and older continue working or return to the workforce, affordable housing options like Hebron Station are becoming increasingly important. Communities like this help provide stable, affordable housing for older workers and family members supporting the region’s growing workforce.
“We believe strong economic growth must be matched with strong housing solutions, and Hebron Station reflects our commitment to ensuring that older adults are not priced out of communities as this region continues to expand”, said Matt Rule, Senior Vice President of Housing Development and Asset Management at National Church Residences.
The grand opening celebration of Hebron Station is scheduled for Tuesday, May 19 at 10:00 a.m. The event will include remarks from Mayor Dr. Valerie Mockus, National Church Residences President & CEO Susan DiMickele, and partners from OHFA, Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County, Fifth Third Bank, and others involved in the project, as well as tours of the new community. This milestone event offers an opportunity to see firsthand how affordable housing developments like Hebron Station are helping address one of Central Ohio’s most urgent challenges.
The approximately $9.5 million development was built by long-time partner Ruscilli Construction, with architectural design by Berardi + Partners. Funding for Hebron Station includes 9% tax credits awarded by the Ohio Housing Finance Agency and syndicated by Raymond James, a permanent and construction loan financed by Fifth Third bank, a Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati grant, and funding from the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County.
“Fifth Third is proud to be a part of a project that reflects the strength and potential of this community. Through collaboration with our partners, we’re helping bring forward solutions that support economic vitality and create lasting impact,” said Fifth Third Bank of Central Ohio, Regional President, Francie Henry.
Hebron Station builds on National Church Residences’ long-standing presence in Central Ohio where it has 46 communities with 3,500 apartments, impacting 6,000 lives when combining housing with its service offerings.
About National Church Residences
Originating from a Christian commitment of service, National Church Residences provides an array of health care services and a variety of housing options to 65,000 seniors. The nonprofit organization is driven by a vision to scale for mission impact by advancing better living for 100,000 seniors by 2030, wherever they call home. With more than 350 communities across the United States, it is the nation’s largest nonprofit provider of affordable senior housing and the largest manager of service coordinators.
The organization also offers a variety of additional senior living options, home and community-based services, as well as permanent supportive housing for the formerly homeless and disabled. For more information, visit us at NationalChurchResidences.org and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
CONTACT:
Chris Herbert, Public Relations
Cell: 614-448-8703
[email protected]
