Initiative comes at a crucial time for affordable housing
The New Philadelphia Housing Plan officially announced the groundbreaking for a new model home aimed at providing attainable housing solutions for low- to moderate-income families. The event, which marked a step toward enhancing housing options in the greater Tuscarawas County area, took place March 3.
The new housing initiative, referred to as the JumpStart model home, is designed as an innovative prototype that will pave the way for future projects focused on creating affordable housing. Scheduled for completion in early June, the home will incorporate cutting-edge building practices, sustainable design principles and cost-efficient construction methods. The goal is to make essential housing accessible to those who often face barriers to home ownership in the current real estate market.
This initiative comes as the need for affordable housing intensifies in many communities across the United States. New Philadelphia Mayor Joel Day emphasized the collaborative nature of the project.
“To me this is a true public-private partnership, which you don’t often see, particularly in communities our size,” Day said. “This partnership is crucial as local advocates highlight the critical lack of affordable options for families, particularly those with low to moderate incomes.”
Matt and Audra Karam are leading the project, driven by their roots in the community — having grown up in Tuscarawas and Stark counties, respectively — and their backgrounds as former local business owners.
“We are doing it as personal people invested in the community, and we have sponsors who are coming forward and contributing,” Audra Karam said.
She said this is not a profit-driven project, highlighting the community’s dedication to improving housing options without prioritizing financial gain.
The Karam family has worked collaboratively with the city and connected with the USDA to explore funding avenues.
Audra Karam said, “What has happened is we have connected with the USDA and discovered this rural 502 loan processing program, and with that, we can provide affordable housing for people who are working hard so they can own a home and have that American dream.”
This innovation aims to address the challenges faced by local families who may have good credit and stable jobs but still struggle to qualify for traditional loans.
The community is invited to partake in a ribbon-cutting ceremony July 12 at 11 a.m., where city officials and various stakeholders will celebrate the completion of this project. The event will showcase the finished home and provide an opportunity for community members to engage with the housing plan’s mission.
Garrett Thompson from Built Brothers, an Arizona-based company, highlighted the project’s progress.
“We’re targeting a building schedule of 90 days. We broke ground on March 3, and our planned completion is in the beginning of June,” Thompson said.
He expressed gratitude for the range of local partners involved. “I’m very thankful for the people who have stepped up to be partners in this because these contractors are putting their best foot forward.”
Home ownership is often seen as a cornerstone of the American dream, yet many struggle to break free from the cycle of renting. By offering viable paths to home ownership through attainable housing options, NPHP plays a role in empowering families to achieve stability and economic growth.
To keep the community informed and provide updates on the project’s progress, NPHP encourages residents to follow its activities on social media platforms such as Facebook. For more information on the JumpStart model home and the NPHP’s objectives, reach out via email or visit www.newphiladelphiahousingplan.com.
Community engagement remains a cornerstone of this endeavor as NPHP recognizes achieving change is a collaborative process.
As the JumpStart model home prepares to set a precedent for future projects, the NPHP is dedicated to helping families seeking a place to call home.