5 new Fostoria homes to be sold by Land Bank

FOSTORIA — The Seneca County Land Bank is launching the Welcome Home Ohio Program in Fostoria by making five new homes on Walnut Street available to income-eligible buyers.The program, funded by the Ohio Department of Development, involves the Land Bank purchasing new homes at 1310, 1314, 1318, 1322 and 1326 Walnut St., with Welcome Home Ohio grant funds and then selling them for no more than $180,000 each to qualified buyers, per grant requirements.To qualify, applicants must:Have a household income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income; live in the home as their primary residence for at least five years; agree not to rent out any portion of the property; complete and return the Seneca County Welcome Home Ohio Application Packet; provide valid mortgage pre-approval from a recognized lender and other required documents as specified in the application packet.The Land Bank will host open houses from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, and from 4 to 7 p.m. on Oct. 7. Program information and application packets will be available at the open houses, as well as at the Fostoria Learning Center, 342 Perry St.Packets may also be requested by emailing to projects@fostoriaedc.org.Those seeking to qualify for the homebuying process must submit all application packets and accompanying documentation in a sealed envelope by 5 p.m. Nov. 14, to: Seneca County Land Bank, c/o Fostoria Economic Development, 342 Perry St., Fostoria, OH 44830.Qualified buyers will be invited to the formal offer process after applications are reviewed.The Seneca County Land Bank received a $2.75 million Welcome Home Ohio grant award, which not only funded the Fostoria Welcome Home Ohio Project but is also funding a Welcome Home Ohio project in Tiffin.The homes slated to be purchased with Welcome Home Ohio funds in Tiffin will begin the homebuyer qualification process in early 2026.More information is available by contacting the Seneca County Land Bank at 419-435-7789.