On April 30, 2026, Working In Neighborhoods (WIN), with support from dedicated community volunteers, hosted an open house showcasing two market-ready Near Net Zero homes at 1789 Agnes Street and 3745 Borden Street. These homes are part of the first phase of WIN’s Near Net Zero Urban Village, a long-term plan that includes 25 new builds and 25 rehabs, with 15 rehabilitations already completed.
Neighbors, funders, friends, and prospective homeowners toured the properties during a festive open house on WIN’s campus featuring food, music, and guided walkthroughs of the homes. More than 50 people attended, getting a firsthand look at the design, technology, and energy-efficient features that define the Near Net-Zero approach.
Ronald Stubblefield of the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, one of the project funders, spoke about the partnership and investment behind the effort. “One of the things we care about at the Greater Cincinnati Foundation is working with great community partners like Working In Neighborhoods that are building housing that meets the needs of the community. We are proud to partner with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to invest $2 million into the Near Net Zero project… We are excited to see what future partnerships Working In Neighborhoods can bring to the people of South Cumminsville.”
Stubblefield also noted the homes’ spacious design and integration of solar technology and structural insulated panels, supporting LEED Gold certification. “So now you just don’t have a great house, you have a great house that someone can move into and have a manageable utility bill, and they have access to cutting edge technology. It’s these innovative things in housing that we are proud to support.”
Valerie Glenn, a Beekman Corridor resident, shared her reaction: “It will be a nice improvement. I like the way the houses are built and the fact that it is near net zero.”
Each home offers approximately 1,200 square feet of living space with a two-story open-concept layout, three bedrooms, and two full bathrooms. The homes also include modern appliances, a full unfinished basement, and off-street parking.
Designed with energy efficiency and long-term sustainability in mind, the homes feature rooftop solar systems, high-performance insulation, energy-efficient windows, whole-house ventilation systems, water-saving fixtures, and durable, healthy building materials. They also meet City of Cincinnati visibility standards.
Thanks to community volunteers who hosted the celebration providing plenty of hospitality.
For purchasing information reach out to Annika Seppala at 513-541-4109 ext. 109 or aseppala@wincincy.org.