The Barrister

In 2024, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing and Urban Sites held a ribbon cutting for The Barrister, the first new, affordable apartments built in Cincinnati’s downtown core in decades. The development is designed to offer a range of housing options, including efficiencies, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units, to households making 30-60% of the area median income (AMI).

The project converted two former office buildings into residential. The buildings at 214 and 216 East 9^th Street were originally built in 1860 and 1885 respectively, and were sitting vacant prior to redevelopment.

The project’s funding includes a combination of sources including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), Ohio Historic Preservation Tax Credits, Federal Historic Tax Credits, HOME Funds from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) and the City of Cincinnati, financing from LISC Greater Cincinnati, and private fundraising. The Port’s public finance practice supported the project by providing a capital lease structure wrapped with a bank bond.

“This is a huge win for Cincinnati, but specifically, for downtown,” Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval declared at the ribbon cutting for the development. “And it’s a win for all of those among us who need and deserve affordable homes. But beyond that, it’s a testament to the power of collaboration within greater Cincinnati.”