CLEVELAND, OH – [September 3, 2025] – Cuyahoga Land Bank announces the launch of its Municipal Gap Grant Program, making available up to $35,000 per unit in construction financing gap grants to support the development of new single-family homes and townhomes in emerging markets across Cuyahoga County.

Designed to invest strategically in shovel-ready projects with strong municipal support, this program aims to stimulate development activity, strengthen local housing markets and attract long-term investment.

“By addressing the financing gaps that often hold back new construction in emerging neighborhoods, the Municipal Gap Grant will help bring high-quality homes to market, expand housing options for families and strengthen our communities,” said Ricardo León, President and CEO of the Cuyahoga Land Bank. “This program builds on our mission to return properties to productive use and to drive investment where it is needed most.”

“The Municipal Gap Grant Program is exactly the kind of strategic investment that helps our communities grow stronger,” said Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne. “By supporting shovel-ready housing projects in emerging neighborhoods, we are not only creating new homes, but also driving investment, expanding opportunity and strengthening the foundation of our county’s future.”

“Strong neighborhoods are built on quality housing, and the Municipal Gap Grant Program will help make that possible in communities across Cuyahoga County,” said County Council President Dale Miller. “By bridging financing gaps, this initiative supports developers, strengthens local markets and ensures that more families have the opportunity to put down roots in stable, thriving neighborhoods.”

Program Details:

  • Eligible Projects: Newly constructed single-family or two-family homes, including townhomes (renovations are not eligible).
  • Location: Must be within the County Housing Program emerging market (see map and available lots). Preference will be given to suburban communities.
  • Disposition: Homes must be built for and sold to owner-occupants. Investor-owned rentals are not eligible.
  • Sales Price Limit: Homes may be priced up to $385,000.
  • Grant Awards: Maximum of $35,000 per unit, based on demonstrated financing gap and competitive evaluation.
  • Deadline: Proposals due by September 30, 2025 (COB). Awards will be announced within 30 days of the deadline.

The Municipal Gap Grant Program is part of the Land Bank’s continued efforts to stabilize and strengthen neighborhoods by catalyzing private investment. With shovel-ready projects that align with municipal priorities, the program aims to remove barriers to development and accelerate progress in communities that need it most.

Developers and municipal leaders are encouraged to review the full RFP and application instructions, available here.

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Cuyahoga Land Bank is a private, non-profit, government-purposed entity formed following passage of Ohio Senate Bill 353 in 2009, which granted county land banks the special community development powers needed to improve neighborhoods. Cuyahoga Land Bank’s mission is to strategically acquire properties, return them to productive use, reduce blight, increase property values, support community goals and improve the quality of life for county residents. Now in its 16th year, Cuyahoga Land Bank has several initiatives specifically designed to support the revitalization of Northeast Ohio communities, including, Realty Reimagined (a nonprofit real estate brokerage), Land Bank Charities and the Cleveland Site Readiness Fund (an economic development community land assembly tool).