LISC Toledo

08/10/2026

Community safety is about more than responding to crime, it’s about creating neighborhoods where people have the opportunity, stability and connections they need to thrive.

In a new letter to the editor published by The Blade, LISC Toledo Executive Director Tom Kroma shares how investments in affordable housing, local businesses, public spaces and strong neighborhood organizations can help create safer, stronger communities.

Here in Toledo, we’ve seen the impact of that approach firsthand. In the Garfield neighborhood, years of coordinated investment and partnership have helped increase homeownership, strengthen housing stability, and create new momentum for the community.

Thank you to The Blade for providing a platform for this important conversation.

Read Tom’s full piece and learn why lasting community safety begins with communities that that thrive

Ask almost anyone what makes them feel safe, and you probably will not hear statistics. They will talk about children riding their bikes until the ...

07/17/2026

We're excited to see affordable housing and community development leaders gathering in Ohio for the 2026 Blueprints to Buildings Symposium, hosted by HUD and regional partners in Cleveland on August 3–4.

A special shoutout to our colleagues at LISC Cleveland as they help welcome practitioners from across the country for two days of learning, collaboration, and conversation focused on rebuilding legacy neighborhoods.

From preserving affordability and revitalizing communities to financing development and strengthening local capacity, this symposium offers valuable insights for anyone working to expand housing opportunity and community investment.

We know many communities across Ohio, including Toledo, are navigating similar challenges and opportunities, and we're excited to see ideas and best practices shared across the region.

Seats are filling quickly, so be sure to register soon if you'd like to attend! Registration: SNO@tOpFpYVW4BbxRyXQ/" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://whova.com/portal/registration/SNO@tOpFpYVW4BbxRyXQ/

07/14/2026

Ohio is CNBC's #1 State for Business in America for 2026 — and housing affordability helped make the difference.

As Northwest Ohio continues to grow, ensuring families can access quality, affordable housing remains essential to supporting employers, attracting talent, and creating opportunity for residents.

LISC Toledo is proud to work alongside partners across the region to invest in housing, neighborhood revitalization, small businesses, and community development efforts that help strengthen our local economy and improve quality of life.

Congratulations to Ohio and to the many organizations, businesses, and community partners helping make our state a great place to live, work, and do business.

07/14/2026

We're proud to celebrate Harry's next chapter and the impact of service-driven leadership in our communities.

As a full-term AmeriCorps member serving with Lucas Housing Services Corporation - LHSC, the development arm of Lucas Metropolitan Housing, Harrison dedicated his year of service to advancing housing and community development efforts in Toledo.

Today, he's taking that experience to the next level with a new role at the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), continuing his commitment to expanding housing opportunity across the state.

This is exactly why programs like LISC AmeriCorps matter. They develop leaders, strengthen communities, and create pathways for talented individuals to build careers in public service and community development.

Congratulations, Harry, on this exciting next step. Toledo is proud of you, and we can't wait to see the impact you'll continue to make across Ohio.

06/29/2026

We’re thrilled to announce another big win for Toledo’s downtown neighborhoods! 🏡✨

Through our Core City program, LISC Toledo is breathing new life into vacant single-family homes—turning them into vibrant, welcoming spaces where families can truly thrive. By tackling blight, expanding homeownership for underserved families, and boosting property values, we’re closing the appraisal gap and helping build generational wealth right here in our community.

This progress is only possible thanks to the dedication of partners like NeighborWorks Toledo Region, and the generous support of Owens Corning, KeyBank and the John Henry Eldred Jr Foundation. Together, we’re not just renovating houses—we’re creating brighter futures, one home at a time.

Curious to see the transformation? Watch our video and discover the impact of the Core City program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAAxwReT4BU

06/22/2026

Exciting news!!

LISC CEO, Michael T. Pugh, applauds Congress for advancing the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act with broad bipartisan support. Once this legislation is signed into law, it will be a meaningful step forward to unlock greater private sector investment in affordable housing and community development.

06/18/2026

Honored to join our LISC peers and partners in Detroit for the Know Before You Go: Heirs Property & National Homeownership Month Showcase! Huge thanks to LISC Detroit and Kristopher Smith from our LISC National Team for leading a powerful day of learning and collaboration. Together, we’re championing generational wealth, protecting family legacies, and empowering more families to build and retain their assets. Proud to be part of this important movement! 💪🏡

06/05/2026

Week one of the Financial Coaching training with Devin Stubblefield is complete. We had the incredible opportunity to pour into the professional development of our coaches, reflect on changes, and strengthen our approach to coaching.

Our Financial Opportunity Center® (FOC) network in Toledo isn't built through one-time transactions- it's built on transformational changes. Relationship building, trust, and a data-proven model that is client-driven is a not only an investment to our coaches, but an investment to our community-at-large. Investing in professional development opportunities like this training ensures our coaches continue to bring the highest quality supports, tools, and strategies to the communities we serve.

We're looking forward to week two and continuing to build on the knowledge we learned and seeing its impact across Toledo.

06/04/2026

Last month, some of our LISC national team members took the time to visit our local markets from Flint to Detroit to Toledo. They were able to see firsthand how LISC’s work transforms communities. This trip was a great reminder that connection strengthens collaboration and understanding drives impact. Grateful for every partner who welcomed them along the way.

06/02/2026

A good financial or career coach can make all the difference! New compelling evidence analyzing data from over 36,000 Financial Opportunity Center® clients found that people who received 5 or more coaching sessions achieved higher employment, net income, credit building, and asset building outcomes. Find out more about LISC’s FOC program model and how similar programs can increase retention here: https://www.lisc.org/our-resources/resource/empowered-thrive-measurable-impact-coaching/