2019 Voice & Vision Celebration Program Book by Homeport

Thursday, October 24, 2019

HONORING

2019 VOICE & VISION AWARD RECIPIENT

Event Program

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Celebrating ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ of partnerships in the construction, ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ rehabilitation, and preservation + + + + + + + of + + + + + + + +developments +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + + partnerships ++++++++++++++++++++++++++ affordable housing. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +and ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ in private corporate+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + equity investments+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

30 years

800

4.25 Billion

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Senior Homes of Findlay + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Findlay, + + + Ohio ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + units + + + of affordable Legacy Pointe +++++++++ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Columbus, Ohio ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

46,500housing

Marlowe Court Cincinnati, Ohio

Echo Hill Apartments Vanceburg, Kentucky

For more information contact: Peg Moertl, President & CEO Jack Kukura, Chief Investment Officer Merydith Greene, Chief of Development 614.224.8446

88 East Broad Street Suite 1800 Columbus, Ohio 43215 www.occh.org

The Robert Weiler Company APPRAISAL I BROKERAGE I CONSULTING I DEVELOPMENT

Proud Supporters of Homeport Voice & Vision

Central Ohio’s Trusted Commercial Real Estate Experts Since 1938

10 N High Street, Suite 401 Columbus, Ohio 43215 614-221-4286 I www.rweiler.com

LE TTE R FROM T HE PRESIDEN T / CEO

Dear Friends, Recently, I walked the application line of individuals seeking to lease a one- or twobedroom apartment at our Blacklick Crossing community being built in Reynoldsburg. The doors for screening applicants opened at 9:30 a.m. Some people had stood overnight hoping for a shot at a quality, affordable home. As I spoke with the applicants – including social services and health care workers, customer service reps, individuals on fixed incomes, and more - a common theme emerged. Their incomes were simply not keeping up with the greater and more rapid increases in their housing costs. Unfortunately, it just broke down to numbers. Thirty apartments. One-hundred-and-twenty-six applicants. Quality, affordable homes to rent in our community – homes that are not only close to work and schools, but also energy efficient – are becoming harder to find, which explains why there were four times the number of applicants as available apartments at Blacklick Crossing. The ratio does not even include three-hundred other calls of interest. The story of Blacklick Crossing reinforces the experience we see every day: when it comes to affordable housing, we simply cannot build fast enough. And yet, roughly three weeks after Blacklick 4

Crossing’s lease-up, there was a glimmer of hope. CASTO, a long-time developer of both commercial and residential projects, announced a joint venture with Homeport. Of the 180 apartments that CASTO will build at the back of the Graceland shopping center in historic and vibrant Clintonville, half will be designated for working families. A family of two could earn up to $62,400 a year and qualify for residence.

“The doors for screening applicants opened at 9:30 a.m. Some stood overnight hoping for a shot at an affordable, quality home.” As we enter the last quarter of 2019, a year in which much was accomplished, we must keep the momentum going. Construction is completing at Blacklick Crossing. Soon-to-be-constructed, mixedincome apartments will be built at Graceland. And, for the first time in over a decade, Homeport received two Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) awards to develop affordable housing. On May 15,the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) awarded $565,000 for a 32-apartment senior community in Whitehall, the second phase of our highly popular Hamilton Crossing. OHFA also awarded $899,000

toward financing of 50 affordable apartments and single-family homes in North Linden, a development we are calling Kenlawn Place. Construction on both could begin the middle of 2020. The federal LIHTC program has been the standard mechanism by which to finance affordable housing development for over 30 years. But, we need many more financing opportunities, considering more than 54,000 local families are spending over 50 percent of their incomes for rent. This year, I am proud to say the community is taking action: In May, Columbus voters approved a $1 billion bond issue that, for the first time in the City’s history, committed $50 million in funds for affordable housing. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, the City of Columbus, Franklin County and additional regional partners have started work on a Regional Housing Strategy. In June, government and civic leaders, foundations, and a cavalcade of financial institutions came together to announce a $100 million fund for affordable housing that will be managed by the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County. And most recently, the Franklin County Board of County Commissioners has approved a $1 per $1,000 conveyance fee increase that applies to sales of property, which could raise an additional

$6.5 million annually for affordable housing. For 32 years, Homeport has been a leader in building affordable housing in Central Ohio. We take great pride in the communities we develop and maintain and have a laser focus on the residents who call Homeport home…a similar winning philosophy of tonight’s Voice & Vision honoree, M/I Homes.

“Doing business the same way isn’t enough. Innovation and creative partnerships will be critical to meeting housing needs.” Homeport knows success comes from working effectively with its partners, the public sector, and most importantly, the neighborhoods and residents we serve. But, continually doing business the same way is not enough. Innovation and creative partnerships are critical to meeting the housing needs of the people we serve. The “housing gap” must be closed, and we look forward to working together with our partners to do it. With Gratitude, Bruce Luecke President & CEO, Homeport 5

Thank You Sponsors ST RONG COMMUNIT Y SPONSORS | $50, 000

C ORNE RSTONE SPONSORS | $25,000

companies

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

EDUCAT ION E MPOWE RS SPONSORS | $15, 000+

Thank You Sponsors OPPORT UNIT Y SPONSORS | $10,000

Mark and Kelly McCullough

SE CURIT Y SPONSORS | $5,000

® TM

PARK

NATIONAL BANK

Thank You Sponsors DIGNIT Y SPONSORS | $2,500

Program 5 :30 p m

Cocktails & Community 6 :00p m

Entertainment: Copacetic 7 :0 0p m

Program & Award Celebration

M I SSI ON Create strong communities by developing quality, affordable homes on a cornerstone of dignity, security and opportunity.

ST R AT E G I C PR I O R I T Y #1 : C LOSE T H E A FFO R DA BL E H O U SIN G GAP

1. Top priority is to house at least 250 new individuals per year through profitable Low-Income Housing Tax Credit development. 2. Supplement our tax-credit development projects with profitable workforce-market products that leverage common design, construction and operational practices. 3. Leverage Homeport’s unique capabilities to assist third parties in developing affordable units and use the returns to supplement our housing development funding. 4. Continue to work closely with public and private sectors to advocate for an environment that embraces the growth of affordable housing. 10

ST R AT E G I C P R I O R I T Y #2 : L AS E R FO C U S O N O U R R E S I D EN TS

1. Be the standard for safe, quality, innovative affordable housing development, communities and operations. 2. Connect residents to community services and assets essential for housing and economic stability. 3. Prepare our residents and other prospective buyers for successful homeownership by building their confidence and financial literacy. 4. Be a thought-leader to educate and advocate for our residents’ needs using a fact-based approach.

ST R AT E G I C PR I O R I T Y #3 : E N SU R E O U R C O R E PU R P O S E E N D UR ES

1. Be fiscally responsible – fund necessary programs/administration through earnings; maintain sufficient capital to fund “close the gap” investments. 2. Ensure impact and effectiveness - act with intent, clarity and transparency when prioritizing our time, talent and capital. 3. Promote a high-performance culture characterized by trust, accountability, collaboration, respect and quality using effective, innovative leadership practices. 4. Continue to build brand awareness focused on the support of our core purpose and business strategy. 11

A N HO N ORE E ’S P E RS PE C T I V E by Robert Schottenstein

It is a special honor for me to accept the 2019 Homeport Voice and Vision award on behalf of M/I Homes. Our Company has enjoyed a long and proud history of supporting Homeport and its core mission of creating individual opportunity and dignity through quality affordable housing and strong communities. In order to appreciate and fully understand our Company’s deep relationship with Homeport, it is important to recount a brief summary of Homeport’s history. In 1986, Jim Rouse, a Columbia, Maryland developer and, at that time, one of the most dynamic and thoughtful real estate leaders in our country, became interested in addressing affordable housing needs in a number of major American cities including Baltimore, Boston, Cleveland, Los Angeles and Columbus. At that time, Jim visited Columbus and was particularly impressed by our strong sense of community . . . he soon realized that Columbus would be receptive to developing a comprehensive effort to help make housing more affordable to everyone who lived in Columbus. Shortly after Jim’s visit, a number of local developers and families, with help from City leaders, initiated a campaign to raise millions of dollars to help bring low-cost, high-quality housing to Columbus. Though several local leaders were involved in this initiative, M/I Homes cofounders Irving and Mel Schottenstein, along with Don Kelley, Bob 12

Weiler, and Max Holzer led the way. My dad Irving, who saw the need for affordable housing for working families, and my cousin Mel, who recognized a similar need for an organized shelter system for the homeless, played indispensable leadership roles. With seed money successfully raised, in 1987, one year after Jim’s Rouse’s initial visit, The Columbus Neighborhood Partnership (now Homeport) and The Community Shelter Board were established in Columbus. Irving was a founding board member of Homeport, and Mel was a founding board member of The Community Shelter Board. Thirty-two years later, Homeport is more important than ever in fulfilling the dreams of its founders by creating a cornerstone of dignity, security and opportunity through quality affordable housing. While there remains significant work to be done in addressing the scourge of a lack of affordable housing, Homeport today clearly has momentum, as evidenced by the following: • The Ohio Housing Finance Agency recently awarded Homeport $565,000 for a 32-unit apartment complex for seniors in Whitehall and nearly $900,000 to help finance 50 affordable apartments and single-family homes in Linden. • Columbus voters in May committed $50 million to spur affordable housing in our city. • City leaders and a group of banks led by Huntington committed $100 million to a Housing Action Fund managed by The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County. • Franklin County will be investing $65 million to promote construction of more than 2,000 affordable housing units over the next decade. Now more than ever, due in large part to the leadership of Homeport, there is widespread acknowledgment of the urgent need to address affordable housing in our region. As Chairman and CEO of M/I Homes, I am extremely proud and humbled by the role that our co-founders, Irving and Mel Schottenstein, undertook back in the 1980’s at the time of the founding of Homeport. And, while we have real momentum today, we must all re-commit ourselves to reaching that day when every family in Central Ohio has a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home. 13

2 0 1 9 HOM EPORT B OA RD OF DIRE CTORS Anthony Anzic JPMorgan Chase & Co.

Paula Hughes Heartland Bank

Cindy Millison PNC Bank

Georgie Asfoura OSU Moritz Board Fellow

Chris L. Hune (Chair) Team Fishel

Sara Neikirk Community Volunteer

Stephen R. Buchenroth Vorys, Sater, Seymour & Pease, LLP

Matthew Keating Huntington National Bank

Wende Oslock OSU Fisher Board Fellow

Michael Kelley (Secretary) Kelley Companies

Mark A. Pringle (Vice Chair) Capital University

Emmett M. Kelly (Treasurer) Frost Brown Todd, LLC

Michael Purcell GBQ Partners

Mike Lange Able Roofing

Jose Rodriguez Public Relations Professional

Mark C. McCullough American Electric Power

Stefanie Steward-Young 5/3 Bank

Michael C. Mentel Taft Law

Kristopher “Kip” Wahlers Ice Miller

Dawn Carpenter Peoples Bancorp Melissa Centers State Auto Robert “Bo” Chilton IMPACT Community Action Stan E. Collins Columbus REALTORS® Linda Flickinger Supreme Court of Ohio

Anthony Anzic, Julee Stephenson, Paula A. Hughes, Mark Pringle, Stan E. Collins, Georgie Asfoura, Emmett M. Kelly, Kristopher “Kip” Wahlers

BACK ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT:

Robert “Bo” Chilton, Wende Oslock, Sara Neikirk, Christy L. Hune, Cindy Millison, Matthew Keating, Hank Evans, Melissa Centers, Stephen R. Buchenroth

FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT:

Mark McCullough, Michael C. Mentel, Michael Purcell, Mike Lange, Jose Rodriguez, Jim Yeager, Stefanie Steward-Young, Linda Flickinger, Michael Kelley

NOT PICTURED:

Congratulations to M/I Homes from all of us at Homeport!

Irving And Melvin Schottenstein

when you invest in the Community, the returns are guaranteed. At Huntington, we know how important it is to give back to the community. After all, we do more than just work here – we live and raise our families here too. And after everything this community has done for us, we’re just happy to be able to return the favor.

The Huntington National Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. ¥® and Huntington® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Huntington.® Welcome.TM is a service mark of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2019 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

C LO SI N G TH E GAP: PARTNE RSHIPS

CASTO, Homeport Team Up for “Workforce” Housing

As the “gap” for affordable and workforce housing has grown, so has the need for creative financing and willing partners. In late September, Homeport found such an opportunity with Columbus-based national real estate developer CASTO. Thanks to the Federal Housing Administration’s construction loan program and the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County, CASTO and Homeport are 18

partnering to build 180 apartments at the back of CASTO’s Graceland Shopping Center in Clintonville. Ninety -- or one half -- of the oneand two-bedroom apartments of “Graceland Flats” will be set aside as workforce housing. “Graceland Flats is a novel approach to providing a mixed-income community,” said Homeport President & CEO Bruce Luecke.

Homeport Senior Vice President for Real Estate Leah Evans said the deal is an example of the new and innovative ways Homeport has been working on to create more affordable housing opportunities in places where people want to live and have access to transportation, jobs, and services.”

More than 54,000 families are estimated to be paying more than 50 percent of their income for rent in Central Ohio, and their need cannot be sufficiently addressed by the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program that has been the financial workhorse of affordable housing since the 1980s.

President of CASTO Communities Meanwhile, many working-class Brent Sobczak called Graceland Flats individuals and families are finding it both unique harder to rent as the and innovative area population grows “The need for housing that in its structure. and new construction is affordable and attainable lags, which is “This financing model has the in our community is great, why partnerships potential to be are needed, said replicated across greater than what we can Homeport’s Evans. the Columbus develop on our own.” “The need for housing market,” Sobczak that is affordable and said. attainable in our community is great, Fifty percent of the Graceland Flats greater than what we can develop on units will be rented to individuals and our own,” she said. families whose income falls in the Robert Weiler, chair of the Affordable range of 80 to 100 percent the Area Housing Trust Board of Directors, Median Income (AMI). A family of two praised the CASTO-Homeport could earn up to $62,400 a year. partnership in Clintonville. Graceland Flats construction should “Columbus and Franklin County begin in October and take 20 support mixed-income developments months, according to CASTO. The like Graceland Flats to enable working development will consist of six individuals to share in our region’s separate, three-story buildings at the economic success and to improve rear of Graceland Shopping Center on workforce stability for employers,” a vacant lot next to an LA Fitness gym Weiler said. building. Residents will have access to a resortstyle pool, outdoor fireplace and bike storage. 19

L ASER FOCU S ON CLIENTS

A Two-Generation Success Story This is a story of a mother driving a daughter to success, and the daughter challenging her mom to join her in it. The result: both became homeowners in 2018 through Homeport’s lease-option program.

By October 2009, Kanica graduated from DeVry University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, with a concentration in health services management. She subsequently got a master’s degree from DeVry’s Keller Graduate School, also with a health field focus.

“It was important for me to grab my mother, to come with me,” Kanica James said. “She wasn’t thinking about buying “I knew I wanted to be in the medical it. I kept saying, ‘It makes sense. Take field, not sure where, but it was a advantage of what is available.’” passion based on my father’s and grandfather’s health conditions,” she Kanica said she grew up in poverty and said. remembers her mother, Essie, stressing how education could make a difference After the 15th year passed, Kanica between working for someone or being inherited money that, together with her own boss. savings, positioned her to be a homeowner. She reached out to In 2001, Kanica, a young mother at the Homeport Lease-Option Program time, leased a house in Homeport’s Manager Brenda Moncrief and asked Kingsford Homes scattered site her what else she needed to do to close community on the West Side of the deal. Columbus. Lease-option homes, under terms of their financing, can be Moncrief directed her to Homeport’s purchased from Homeport once they Housing Advisory Services Department are 15 years old. and Kanica took homebuyer courses and other learning opportunities on “I moved into the home when it was first credit, budgeting, home maintenance built. It was always a dream of mine to and financial fitness. She also shored up own it. What I heard was that I had an her personal finances by becoming coopportunity to get the home, to have director of an agency caring for people a thousand-dollar credit for each year with developmental disabilities. lived in it,” Kanica said. 20

In February of 2018, she closed on and budgeting,” Essie said. the home. It was then that she took “She did it all,” said Isabel Giles, on another goal – getting her Mother, Essie, to purchase the 15-year-old home Homeport Loan Program Manager. “She just wanted to make sure she knew on South Ohio Avenue she had been everything and complied with the leasing for nine years from Homeport. purchase rules.” “I knew the drill, so I decided to try to Said Essie: “When it got to closing, I was make the process as seamless and scared . . . if something happens, ‘who effortless as possible for her. There was freedom that came over me when I do I call now?’ When you rent, you don’t bought my house. It was an investment. have that much worry. Brenda (Moncrief at Homeport) said if I needed more help Growing up in poverty . . . this was our I could call. That they were not going to way out. I wanted the same for her,” completely throw me away. I was glad to Kanica said. hear that.” Essie James said she too worked with Moncrief wrote Kanica a note after the Homeport’s Housing Advisory staff. But unlike her daughter, she had her doubts. closing. “Your encouragement to insist

“Growing up in poverty... this was our way out. I wanted the same for her.”

ESSIE , LE FT, WIT H H E R DAU GH T E R K AN ICA JA MES .

“I didn’t think I was ready. It’s kind of scary buying a home. I always thought you had to have money to buy a house, a significant amount of money. Kanica told me it was not what I thought,” Essie said. “I did drag my feet a little bit,” Essie said. But she moved ahead once Kanica explained that her mortgage would probably be the same as rent and that, “‘you might not get this chance again.’” “I took every class Homeport offered, I did. Home readiness, home maintenance, financial fitness, credit

your mother buy her home along with you was a wonderful gift to you both,” she said. When Essie James closed the end of September, she and her daughter became Homeport history. They are the first two-generation homeowners from Homeport’s lease-option program. Essie, who works with her daughter, said there are no regrets. “It feels good, exciting. Sometimes I wonder if I can do this. I am just a little more responsible (with my spending). You have to monitor everything. It’s all on you.” 21

C LO SI N G TH E GAP: PARTNE RSHIPS

HOMEPORT: Can you tell us about Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County, its history, and mission? AHT: The Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County (AHT), established in 2001, acts as an independent, not-for-profit lender to create affordable home ownership and rental housing to working households and seniors. AHT is funded by the City of Columbus and Franklin County Board of Commissioners. HOMEPORT: How does AHT decide whom to support in the affordable housing arena? AHT: We provide loans for affordable rental, supportive and home ownership projects by leveraging private and public lending and investment. Various housing initiatives are financed in the form of construction, acquisition, rehabilitation and below-market rate loans, depending on the needs of the project and the income level of households to be served. 22

By investing a portion of Affordable Housing Trust funds to fill the gap between value and cost of new or rehabilitated housing, the Trust can raise market values, stimulate private development, and contribute to neighborhood revitalization. Affordable Housing Trust is a lender with a mission of creating affordable housing. Our lending partners need to meet financial underwriting and provide affordable housing. HOMEPORT: How does the Affordable Housing Trust view the need for affordable housing in Central Ohio and how are you planning for the population growth likely to impact it? AHT: The Affordable Housing trust is striving to expand our loan fund by attracting investments from financial institutions and corporations. The impact of population growth on affordable housing is an unknown. If the families coming to Columbus can find jobs that pay enough to afford market rate housing, the impact

will be less. But if new households cannot afford market rate housing, the pressure on the affordable segment of the rental market will increase. The Affordable Housing Trust in conjunction with our developer partners, like Homeport, are trying to close the affordability gap now to lessen any future demand.

AHT: Homeport is a key partner and has successfully borrowed more funds from the Affordable Housing Trust than any other developer in Franklin County. The below-market interest rate borrowing has allowed Homeport to create affordable housing in many neighborhoods in Franklin County.

ST E V E N D. GLADM AN, PR ESI DE N T, AFFORDABLE H OUS IN G T RUST FO R C O LU MBU S A ND FRA NKL IN C OUNTY, SPEAKS AT MILO-GROGAN GROUN D BRE AKIN G E VE N T IN O C TO BER 2017.

HOMEPORT: Besides creating much needed affordable housing, how does the Affordable Housing Trust create additional value to the community? AHT: The financial investment in affordable housing has a powerful economic impact for Franklin County. Last year, the Affordable Housing Trust investments of $20.1 million in belowmarket loans resulted in $135.4 million in new economic activity, sustained 736 jobs, and added or preserved 654 units of affordable housing. HOMEPORT: How does an organization like Homeport fit into the overall vision of the Affordable Housing Trust?

HOMEPORT: What does the Affordable Housing Trust for Columbus and Franklin County envision as its key characteristics, role, and impact ten years from now? AHT: Since 2001 when the Affordable Housing Trust became operational, strong leadership and vision by the Board has positioned the Affordable Housing Trust to adjust to the needs of our developer partners to allow them to meet their affordable housing goals. The Board will continue its leadership role in addressing affordable housing needs in Franklin County.

E NS U R I N G CORE PU RPOS E E NDURE S

Five Words to Build Upon E M P LOY E E - D R I V E N PL A N C O M M I TS HO M EP O RT TO ‘H I G H P E R FO R M A N C E C U LTUR E’

What does Top Five mean to you? For music lovers, it might be their favorite artists. In sports, it might be an argument over the best NFL quarterbacks. For world travelers, it could be favorite destinations. But could you come up with five ways to improve your work environment? At Homeport, that is exactly what has happened. In December 2018 at an Executive Team meeting, Homeport committed to creating a high-performance culture. Seven months later, a staff-driven statement evolved that is built upon five key values: • TRUST • ACCOUNTABILITY • COLLABORATION • RESPECT • QUALITY 24

“We are all hopeful that this work will result in the goal of measurable improvement in employee morale and create a high-performance culture,” said Ray George, Homeport’s Director of Marketing & Brand Promotion and chair of the committee that developed the culture statement. “The hardest part will be incorporating these behaviors in our everyday lives as we hire new team members, review work, and, very importantly, plan and develop housing and services for our residents,” George said. The development of a Top Five work behaviors list represents a continuation of the strategic development planning that Homeport undertook in the fall of 2016 with Ohio State University Professor Tony Rucci and his Fisher College of Business students. The task fell to a committee chaired by George that included Asset

T HE C O RE VALUES TEAM I NCLUDE D, FROM LE FT, LAWRE N CE FURST, J O S H MA RTIN, A NGEL A C RA D L E, KAT YAM AGUC HI , R AY G E ORGE , WILL WAH LE R, AN D (N OT P IC TU RED ) L AYD EN HA L E.

Management Director Josh Martin, brainstorming activities followed, Sales Manager Angela Cradle, Senior giving Homeport staff the opportunity Counseling Advisor Layden Hale, to provide key positive behaviors they Grants & Compliance Manager Kat wanted as part of the final behavioral Yamaguchi, Manager of Service statements. Coordination The team, Lawrence “The hardest part will be sponsored by Furst, and Human Resources incorporating these behaviors Director of Asset Director Lisa Management in our everyday lives.” Roberson and Will Wahler. Homeport With assistance from Gamal Harding, President & CEO Bruce Luecke, an Enterprise Lean Consultant at gathered to analyze, discuss, write, Nationwide Insurance, the committee and rewrite the behaviors over began their work in Winter 2019. multiple sessions, debating specific phrases and word order to fine tune The team first researched and their meanings. benchmarked external sources to provide some reference for how other In July, the final document was created organizations tackled their culture -- and a Homeport Top Five was born. statements. Several fun and engaging 25

OP E R AT I O N A LIZ IN G OU R CO RE VALUE S Expect Trust [TRUST ] We make decisions based on facts and reasoned assumptions, not on biases and personal opinion. We seek clarity. We make sure transparency is at the core of our interactions and decisions. At the end of the day we feel comfortable that our work is guided by honesty and strong moral principles.

Embrace It [ACCOUNTABILITY ] Showing up on time, coming fully prepared to contribute and staying engaged is expected. Each of us has a unique and important role at Homeport and take full ownership in carrying out our duties and responsibilities. Do we get it right every time? No, and we respectfully offer and accept constructive feedback to better ourselves and Homeport.

Stop, Collaborate & Listen [COLLABORATION ]

Let’s work together and make sure we provide our residents with the best we can offer. We seek help because our

colleagues will offer their expertise. We can make better decisions when we include those affected. Think bigger!

Assume Positive Intent [RESPECT ] We all came to Homeport with different backgrounds and life experiences. As colleagues we value relationships and embrace others’ diverse experiences, dreams and quirky habits. A different perspective should be assumed to be with positive intent and extended the most generous interpretation possible. Be kind to one another.

Stretch Yourself [QUALITY ] Our residents choose to live in a Homeport community because we provide security, opportunity and dignity. We constantly challenge the status quo and we don’t take questions personally, but rather, as a means to be the best organization we can be. To exceed expectations in every facet of our work we must embrace change and do what is right, not just what is easy.

“I enjoyed being a part of the process and I look forward to living these behaviors in my work here at Homeport.” – Layden Hale, Senior Housing Counselor

Join us next year!

October 15 2020

Congratulations to Homeport for providing comprehensive education, progressive counseling, and holistic support to those seeking homeownership in Columbus!

INSTALLED BUILDING PRODUCTS CONGRATULATES M/I HOMES 2019 VOICE & VISION AWARD RECIPIENT

W W W.C O L U M B U S R E A LTO R S .C O M

Alaysyah Yahyisrael Fifth Third borrower from Ohio

Fifth Third

is proud to support Homeport 2019 Voice & Vision with housing initiatives and programs that help people in the communities we serve— people like Alaysyah.

Fueling Ohio Families We are proud to partner with Homeport to support quality, affordable housing in Central Ohio.

Member FDIC.

For more information, visit For more information, visit ColumbiaGasOhio.com ColumbiaGasOhio.com

Thank you to our 2019 Voice & Vision Vendors. Please consider them for your next celebration! Bosc & Brie Catering

LIVE! Technologies

CAPA

Matt Reese Photography

Copacetic Smooth Jazz

The Jeanne B. McCoy Community Center for the Arts

Epic Engraving Ethan Nielsen Communications Gimme Some Sugar, LLC Legendary Ink Lasting Impressions

Oberer’s Flowers Photography by Jovan Sign Master Smart Promos Stephen Spottswood 29

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S P I R IT OF H OM EPORT AWARD

C C I I R M EM B ERS LAN D S CAP IN G AN D PAIN T IN T IN G AT EASTWAY V IL L AGE

For seven years, members of Columbus Commercial Industrial Investment Realtors (CCIIR) have held a golf tournament to raise funds for Homeport. In summer 2019, its members not only sweated over putts, but also the Homeport flowers and bushes they weeded and trimmed. The landscaping -- and staining and painting of the Eastway Village gazebo and garbage bin enclosures -followed a bus tour to see three other 32

Homeport communities for seniors and families. “We wanted our members to get an education, to find out what Homeport really does for the community, to know what the golf tournament funds are doing,” said Travis McIntyre, Public Relations Chair of CCIIR and Vice President of First City Bank. In recognition of its continuing commitment, advocacy, and

knowledge of Homeport, CCIIR is being honored with the Spirit of Homeport award at tonight’s Voice & Vision gala and program. “From its golf tournament, to taking the State Auto-sponsored Strengthening Communities Bus Tour, to beautifying our communities, CCIIR is impacting our affordable housing mission,” said Homeport Senior Director Resource Development Laverne Price. The maintenance at Eastway Village was not the first time CCIIR members have been hands-on in their support. Most recently, in 2017 CCIIR members cleared overgrown landscaping and repainted the outside of the community center at American Addition, an historic residential community Homeport is revitalizing with the new single-family homes. “It is a special group of individuals, and we hope their actions and this award encourages others to tour and learn how they, too, can contribute in terms of time, talent, or treasure. We appreciate all of their work and all that is needed to elevate awareness in the space of affordable housing,” Price said. “It was a great educational event,” CCIIR President Randy Best said after the tour. “It was really nice to see what Homeport does.”

CCIIR formed in 1974 for real estate practitioners focused on Commercial, Industrial, and Investment real estate. A core purpose is to ensure easy access to quality information regarding real estate properties for sale, lease, or sublease. CCIIR is also committed to promoting education and professionalism among its members. Commercial real estate agent, broker and developer Max Holzer served as CCIIR’s first president from 1974 to 1980. Holzer was also one of Homeport’s founders in 1987, bridging a relationship between the two organizations. CCIIR is the second Spirit of Homeport award winner. Realtor Andy Malone, and his business partner and wife Holly, were honored in 2018 at Voice & Vision for designating a percentage of Scout Columbus home sale commissions to Homeport.

CCIIR MAKE S D O NATIO N TO HO MEP O RT W ITH P ROCE E D S FRO M THEIR 2018 GO L F O U TING

H O MEPORT LON G - TIM E STAF F Thank you for your commitment to our mission!

Maude Hill

Brenda Moncrief

Joshua Casper

Laverne Price

Netta Whitman

Angela Cradle

Layden Hale

Isabel Giles

Raymond George

Jessica Williams

Shelee Brenneman

David Rawn

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EMPOWERING

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Thank you for your voice and vision for families in need. Together with Homeport, the power to provide stability, dignity and opportunity is in all our hands.

aep.com/community

Recognizing your accomplishments. And all they’ve meant to our community. Congratulations M/I Homes on your welldeserved honor.

Some things are just

The same is true for banking. We’re investing in our neighborhoods one transaction at a time.

In Honor of and In Memory of Irving E. Schottenstein Beloved Father and Grandfather of Gary L. and Terri Schottenstein Brian Schottenstein Corey Schottenstein Kaufman & Hart Families

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Congratulations to Homeport for 32 years of creating security, opportunity and dignity in our communities. Mark and Kelly McCullough Homeport Board Member

Congratulations

to M/I Homes and our leader Bob Schottenstein M/I Homes Board of Directors Friedl Bohm Bill Carter Phil Creek Michael Glimcher Lisa Ingram Nancy Kramer Tom Mason Norman Traeger

PROUD SUPPORTER FOR THREE GENERATIONS