Hundreds of apartments will see new life to fight a lack of affordable housing.

Today in the Morning Briefing, we look at plans for five apartment complexes in the region that will be updated for renters. We also check in on a bill signed by the governor that is meant to protect patients.

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$48M investment will upgrade 560+ affordable housing units in Dayton, Trotwood, Riverside

A local nonprofit has teamed up with one of the largest affordable housing owners and operators in the nation to preserve more than 560 affordable units in Dayton, Riverside and Trotwood.

• Why it matters: Housing advocacy groups say rehabbing and preserving existing affordable housing in good condition is just as important as creating new units because both impact the housing supply.

• The details: St. Mary Development Corp. and Related Affordable announced that they plan to invest more than $48 million to rehab five affordable apartment communities that were built in the 1970s and that officials say are outdated and need updates.

• The sites: These include the 182-unit Northcrest Gardens (aka Eagle Ridge) in northwest Dayton and the 119-unit Ashbury Apartments in the city’s McPherson Town neighborhood. Also included are Mad River Manor in Riverside and the 112-unit Albright Apartments and the 80-unit Pinewood Gardens in Trotwood.

• What comes next? Work is expected to begin in early 2025, and the bulk of construction should be completed by the end of the year.

Ohio law to protect patients, hold doctors accountable for sexual assault

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill into law increasing the accountability of medical professionals in regard to sexual abuses ― and those who fail to report those crimes

• Why it matters: Proponents of Senate Bill 109 see this as measure to hold medical professionals accountable and prevent the kinds of abuses committed by Richard Strauss, a deceased Ohio State University physician accused of being a sexual predator during his two decades on campus.

• Some of the changes: The bill prohibits doctor-patient confidentiality being used as means to exclude evidence against the medical professional in court proceeding, among other measures meant to bring forward information about criminal doctors.

• What they’re saying: “The Richard Strauss matter was an unthinkable tragedy that greatly affected citizens of Ohio, who we have a duty to protect,” said State Sen. Bob Hackett, R-London, in his sponsor testimony for the bill.

What to know today

• One big takeaway: Donations have poured in after vandals struck a Korean church in Kettering.

• Tip of the day: Big Lots, which last week announced it was closing all its stores, has released details of its store closing sales.

• Person to know today: Emily von Stuckrad-Smolinski. The Centerville Arts Commission member was selected as one of approximately 75 volunteers nationwide to contribute to the 2024 White House holiday theme, “A Season of Peace and Light.”

• Quote of the day: “People fear us.” — Cincinnati Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase on his relationship with quarterback Joe Burrow. Together, Burrow and Chase make up the best pass and catch duo in the NFL this season, and Sunday they both made league history.

• Happening today: Celebrate Christmas Eve with a display of luminaries at David’s Cemetery, 4600 Mad River Road in Kettering, starting at 5 p.m. The event is free. For more information, visit davidscemetery.com.

• Photo of the day: The Bossler Mansion, located at 136 S. Dutoit St. in Dayton’s St. Anne’s Hill Historic District that was built in 1869, is decked out for the holidays. Photographer went through the home for a photo gallery of the decorations.