New windows replace the old cracked windows which once let the cold in and the heat out. Promote Oxford Now President Sarah Smith and Vice President Jessica Henninge have applied for grants and received anonymous donations in hopes to move forward with the PON purchase, which will bring affordable housing back to the Oxford area. (Photo by Kelli Miller)

OXFORD — The Oxford Revitalization Project was established in 1979, and about ten years later, became Promote Oxford Now.

Since that time, Promote Oxford Now has sponsored many events in the area, but it wasn’t until organization President Sarah Smith and Vice President Jessica Henninge were reorganizing during the Oxtober Festival, that Smith sensed a real need for affordable housing in the area.

“While we were re-organizing, I realized there is a real need for affordable housing in the community, more affordable, not low income, but affordable,” said Smith. “People want to move to our village, but at this time, there is only one move in ready house available in Oxford and its price range is for a mid level income family.”

Smith said she looked at the number of new student enrollments in the district, where both of her children attend, and noticed enrollments were down. Although she's not sure why, she feels the low numbers may be due to a lack of affordable housing.

“There's a real desire for people to move to the area, but there's not a lot of housing,” she said.

“So, Jess and I put our heads together and through Promote Oxford Now, started working on finding a house to renovate to bring affordable housing to the Oxford area,” said Smith.

“We did find a house in need of a lot of repairs and are working through the contract,” she added.