Homeowner applications available for eighth annual Paint the Town

Applications are now available for Give Back Cincinnati's eighth annual Paint the Town event, which will take place this June 13 in Price Hill.

This year, the goal is to paint the exteriors of between 50 and 60 owner-occupied homes for those who are physically or financially unable to do the work themselves.

"We have mailed applications to a couple of areas where we already have community enhancement programs in place in order to heighten the impact there," says Matt Strauss, director of the Price Hill Housing Resource Center.  "We're also working with the Building Department.  They've sent us a list of every house in the Price Hills that has a code violation for peeling paint and we're mailing applications to them."

Over 1,000 volunteers are expected to participate, and Price Hill Will and Santa Maria Community Services are partnering with Paint the Town to maximize the impact of the project.

Joe Hansbauer of Paint the Town says that they expect to see an influx of applications this year because of the economy, and Strauss agrees.

"The less your home is worth the less you can borrow," Strauss says.  "By painting someone's house and helping to increase the value of that home we're putting people on more stable economic footing.  And it makes Price Hill a better investment for a buyer and for a current owner."

Paint the Town's ultimate goal is to impact the overall community.

"The simple coat of paint has a domino effect in the community," Hansbauer says.  "It's amazing to see a street that is run down, and you bring 25 volunteers out to a house and begin painting.  All of a sudden the neighbors next door are picking up their child's toys left in the yard, sweeping the front porch and doing general maintenance to their homes."

Applications will be accepted through February 14.

Since its founding, Paint the Town has painted a total of 170 homes in eight Greater Cincinnati communities.

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Sources: Matt Strauss, director, Price Hill Housing Resource Center; Joe Hansbauer, Paint the Town
Photography provided by Paint the Town online photo galleries