Mills of Carthage

The Mills of Carthage in Cincinnati, Ohio demonstrates that factory-built homes can be effectively used as part of a community revitalization strategy in urban and suburban areas. The development is composed of 60 manufactured and modular homes, and sales prices started at $137,300 in 2002 when the units were first made available for purchase.

Located on a brownfield that had formerly been the site of a carpet and linoleum mill, the 13.5-acre property was occupied by a shipping warehouse that was relocated in 1999 when the city decided to redevelop the area for affordable housing. Nearby residents had long complained about the noise and pollution these businesses brought to their neighborhood, and after years of industrial use the site was found to have significant contamination that had to be cleaned up before it was suitable for residential development.

The land was sold to the developer, Potterhill Homes, for a nominal fee, remediated to remove hazards and redeveloped. New homebuyers receive a 15 year waiver of property taxes assessed on the structure (residents still pay taxes on the land) to help fulfill the city's goal of increasing homeownership in the area. The models offered in the development were selected to match the style of the surrounding neighborhood, and some have received an Energy Star Rating from the US Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Agency, indicating that they meet high standards of energy efficiency. All homes feature a 2-car detached garage and front porch.