The Ruthe and Isadore Freed Housing Corporation is an approved 501 (c)(3) nonprofit entity which was formed in 1996 and named in honor of the Freeds. Isadore Freed served as a valued member of the Board of Commissioners of the the Stark Metropolitan Housng Authority from 1957-1967. Upon his passing, Ruthe Freed was appointed to succeed him and served on the Board until 2001, when she retired after over 32 years of service. The Freed Housing Corporation exists as a nonprofit subsidiary of the Stark Metropolitan Housing Authority.

As a private 501(c)(3) non-profit community housing development corporation(CHDO), we are dedicated to providing affordable housing, training and neighborhood revitalization for low-to-moderate income families, elderly and physically or mentally disabled residents throughout all of Stark County.

• Establish community recognition and support through efforts that establish us as a qualified and dependable source for affordable housing opportunities.
• Create partnerships with public and private organizations to achieve our housing goals.
• Operate effectively as a certified Community Housing Development Organization.
• Apply for and receive grants or loans to assist us in reaching our goals.
• Enhance and/or create new housing opportunities to benefit low, very low, and moderate income populations, the elderly and handicapped and other special needs groups of people.
• Provide residents with low and moderate incomes the opportunity to become homeowners.
• Acquired, build, manage, lease, and rehabilitate housing opportunities to benefit our target groups.

To date our biggest achievement is that the Freed Housing Corporation and Lake Senior Center are co-sponsors of a grant received from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to build 28 units of housing for the elderly in Lake Township. This unique partnership will bring needed housing to this area.

We have made a commitment to the City of Canton to purchase and renovate 10 homes in the Summit School neighborhood near 10th Street, NW and Fulton Road. Five will acquired and renovated in 2005 and five in 2006. LISC (Local Initiatives Support Corporation) has provided us with two grants dedicated to this project. $25,000 for operating expenses and $15,000 for consultant services and infrastructure.

Additional projects we have completed or are working on:

• 12 new homes have been built
• 2 completed rehab projects
• 3 rehab projects scheduled for 2005
• 5 proposed rehab projects in Summit for 2005
• 5 proposed rehab projects in Summit for 2006

Rentals Units:

• 100% leased and operating
• 6 units on Millvale Avenue, NE
• 2 units on Cherry Avenue, NE
• 2 single family scattered sites (for homeownership)

For additional information you can contact Shellie Thomas, Freed Housing Director at (330) 454-9404.