Frequently Asked Questions
General Information
Working In Neighborhoods (WIN) receives its funding from a diverse mix of sources. The majority comes from grants, which account for 78% of revenue. Contributions from individuals, businesses, and organizations provide another 18%. WIN also earns 2% through contract income and 3% from other sources.
WIN programs have a foundation in community building, which sets WIN apart from other organizations.
Fill out this form or contact Molly at mlohr@wincincy.org or 513-541-4109 ext. 128.
WIN was founded in 1978 by S. Barbara Busch, SC. She continues to serve as the agency’s Executive Director to this day.
WIN’s reach depends on the program. Housing Development focuses on targeted Cincinnati neighborhoods like College Hill and South Cumminsville.
Economic Learning services span Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Eastern Indiana.
Community Building is centered in South Cumminsville, Millvale, North and South Fairmount, and English Woods.
Community Building: WIN develops relationships with the people in the communities we serve. We engage them in shaping our services and organize them to create programs themselves or to work with government and businesses to bring the services they need to their community.
Economic Learning: Financial literacy, pre-purchase counseling, foreclosure/delinquency counseling, and group education.
Housing Development: WIN builds and rehabs homes in target Cincinnati neighborhoods.
Community Building
Community building is guided by the principle that the people closest to the problem are closest to the solution. Through community building, WIN develops relationships with the people in the communities we serve, and we engage them in shaping our services and we organize them to create programs themselves or to work with government and businesses to bring the services they need to their community.
WIN has chosen to focus our community building efforts in the 5 neighborhoods that make up the Beekman Corridor—S. Cumminsville, N. Fairmount, S. Fairmount, English Woods, and Millvale. Residents in these neighborhoods are pursuing the adoption and funding of a 35-point traffic-calming plan to reduce the number of car crashes and pedestrian accidents in the area. Residents are working to expand tax incentive programs for seniors and increase assistance for first-time homeowners.
WIN has inaugurated a home repair program for Beekman Corridor homeowners that will ensure our residents can age in place. Beekman Corridor residents come together to beautify the community and to address the food desert. WIN is supporting and providing education for home and community gardens, while developing a network of mutual support among our gardeners. WIN sponsors the monthly Beekman Community Market where budding entrepreneurs can sell their wares, including fresh produce. In S. Cumminsville, WIN supports a monthly produce give-away, as well as summer camp and holiday programs for our youngest residents.
Santa’s Workshop is on December 20, 2025, 1:00 – 3:00 PM. The 2026 Youth Enrichment Program dates will be announced in early 2026.
Summer Camp: 5 – 12 years old.
Santa’s Workshop: 6 months – 17 years old. 6 months to 4 years old receive baby bags with age-appropriate toys but cannot attend the party. Children age 5 – 12 years old attend the event to pick out festive crafts, take home a holiday photo, and “shop” for their very own gifts. Teens may receive gift cards so they can buy exactly what they want.
Boo Bash Trick or Treat: 3 – 12 years old.
Easter Hop Up Egg Hunt: 3 – 12 years old.
Children must be pre-registered for all Youth Enrichment Program events. Registration opens one month prior to each event.
Housing Development & Repairs
To buy a WIN home, the buyer must be a first-time buyer with a stable and sufficient source of income. Buyer’s income must be at or below the required income limits for the program. Most homes have income limits of 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) or less, but some may have income limits of up to 120% AMI.
An Individual Development Account (IDA) is a matched savings program that helps you save for an asset (i.e. home repair). IDAs require one-on-one financial coaching, general financial education, and asset specific education. IDAs require that you save an average amount each month into a designated account. The funds you save will be matched by the program. Funds cannot be withdrawn until the completion of the program.
WIN offers an annual Home Repair IDA for senior homeowners. Ten participants are chosen annually and the program lasts 9 months.
If you need repairs, check 513Relief.org or call 211 for current programs.
Housing Counseling
One-on-one housing counseling is focused on helping you reach your housing goal. A housing counselor will complete an assessment to determine your current status and create an action plan to help you remove current barriers and achieve your goal.
To start the process, complete the intake form found here and you will be assigned a housing counselor.
The amount of time spent on counseling is based on your individual situation (current credit, savings, and employment). For some people, it takes a few months; for others, it takes a few years.
No. WIN can work with you to explore loss mitigation options to get back on track. Loss mitigation refers to the steps mortgage servicers may take to work with a mortgage borrower to avoid foreclosure.
No, call 211 or 513 Relief (513) 946-4433 for possible programs.
No, call 211 or 513Relief (513) 946-4433 for possible programs.
Homebuyer Training Classes
No, but sometimes we can connect you to programs that provide down payment assistance or closing cost grants.
HUD-certification means we have trained and knowledgeable staff to help you reach your housing goal. We go through ongoing review and training to ensure we are up to date on current trends in housing.
The class provides knowledge and the step-by-step process for buying a home. The homebuyer class certificate meets lender requirements for HUD-approved education. Some down payment assistance programs require HUD-approved homebuyer education certification. The certificate is valid for one year after completion of the class.