AKRON, Ohio - Testa Companies plans to build 40 townhomes in North Hill, in what will be the first new family housing development in North Akron in more than 20 years.

Through a partnership with the International Institute of Akron, the city and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Testa plans to break ground in spring 2018 on the International House at San Tomasso (Italian for St. Thomas). The units will be built on land near St. Thomas Hospital and St. Anthony of Padua Parish on N. Main Street and is intended to be largely occupied by refugees.

In July, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency announced the International House at San Tomasso received a portion of the $27 million awarded under the 2017 Housing Tax Credit program awards. The program pays for construction, acquisition and rehabilitation of affordable housing communities across Ohio.

The new development aligns with the city's plan to boost Akron's population and strengthen its tax base as outlined in the report Planning to Grow Akron.

"This development will assist in the ongoing revitalization of the North Hill neighborhood by infusing the area with new development and affordable housing options," Akron Mayor Dan Horrigan said in a news release. "The city is proud to support this worthy project with federal HOME funds. These funds are a critically important tool that communities, like Akron, can use to help provide housing for lower-income families."

The development will be eligible for Akron's residential property tax abatement, exempting 100 percent of the home value from taxes for 15 years.

"It's going to be really good for the neighborhood," said City Planning Director Jason Segedy. "North Hill has a lot of positive momentum going on but there hasn't been a lot of new housing built. The city wants to encourage renovation of the older homes but also fill in the gaps with new housing."

The development's proximity to the hospital and to downtown will also help promote retail growth in the area, Segedy said.

The International House at San Tomasso will include a community building with community and program space, a management office and shared laundry.

"We are thrilled that this project is coming to fruition," said International Institute Executive Director Elaine Woloshyn in a statement. "It brings excitement to the North Hill neighborhood and will give our clients and others in the community a chance to settle into beautiful, new apartments with all the conveniences."

The new complex is hoped to be "life-changing" for refugees coming to Akron to begin their new lives, said Testa Companies President Joel Testa.

While refugee clients of the International Institute of Akron will have first priority for the housing, others in the community will also have an opportunity to live there.

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