Cleveland Housing Network is the largest private mission-driven developer and manager of affordable quality homes in the city of Cleveland.

In addition to building single-family homes through its Lease Purchase program, Cleveland Housing Network’s Real Estate Development division is also collaborating with other non-profits and financial institutions to leverage the resources needed to increase the affordable housing options available to Cleveland’s poorest families.

Permanent Supportive Housing: Emerald Commons

Emerald Commons, CHN’s first permanent supportive project, is part of Housing First, Cleveland’s permanent supportive housing coalition. Housing First was created in 2002 to find lasting solutions to the problem of long-term homelessness. The shared mission of Housing First and the Emerald Commons project is to provide affordable apartments with on-site supportive services, and a 24-hour a day staffed front desk. This attractive apartment building is based on successful models that already up and running in other cities, and will serve long-term homeless individuals who typically suffer from mental illness, addiction, and/or debilitating diseases like HIV/AIDS.

Located at W. 79 Street and Madison Avenue in Cleveland’s Detroit Shoreway neighborhood, the newly constructed Emerald Commons will feature 52 efficiency apartments, plus an on-site mix of experienced social services available exclusively to the building’s residents. Ample common spaces will encourage socialization and be used to conduct job and skills training, and self-help groups.

The project is being developed by CHN, and will be managed by EDEN, Inc., the region’s most experienced special needs housing provider. Cleveland’s most experienced practitioners including Mental Health Services, Inc., AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland and Recovery Resources will deliver on-site services. Additional partners to the project include Sisters of Charity Foundation, The Enterprise Foundation, the Cleveland Foundation, Forest City Enterprises, and Key Bank. Equity through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit will provide the majority of the capital for constructing the building. The project has secured additional capital commitments from the State of Ohio, Cuyahoga County, the City of Cleveland, the Federal Home Loan Bank and other private sources. Operating subsidies will be provided through Shelter Plus Care. Service dollars will come from local county funded boards, federal Medicaid dollars, the Continuum of Care and private foundations. .

Equity through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit will provide the majority of the capital for construction. The project will seek additional capital funds including County HOME, State HOME, City HOME, the Federal Home Loan Bank and other private sources. Operating subsidies will be provided through Shelter Plus Care. Service dollars will come from local county funded boards, federal Medicaid dollars, the Continuum of Care and private foundations.

Construction will begin in the fall of 2005, and will be ready for occupancy late in 2006.

Capital Investment: $8.65 million

Section 8 Preservation: Erie Square Apartments

 

Erie Square Apartments is CHN’s first “Section 8 Preservation” project is located on Euclid Avenue near the Church Square shopping plaza in the Fairfax neighborhood. The project includes the acquisition and rehabilitation of this occupied, 89-unit stately apartment building. Erie Square is part of a decreasing inventory of Project Based Section 8 buildings in Cleveland in search of new owners who will invest in the building’s future, and extend the affordable housing commitment to the building’s low-income residents. CHN is purchasing and rehabilitating Erie Square to preserve an important source of affordable housing in a dynamic, “comeback” neighborhood. Rehabilitating Erie Square will further revitalize the neighborhood and extend its rebirth toward downtown Cleveland along Euclid Avenue.

Capital Investment: $7.5 million

In the spring of 2005, CHN was awarded Low Income Housing Tax Credits to build a second permanent supportive housing apartment building located at E. 101 Street and St. Clair Avenue in the Glenville neighborhood. Construction is expected to begin in 2006, and the building will be ready for occupancy in 2007.

Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority Partnership Projects

In partnership with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), CHN is utilizing HUD Upfront grants, HOPE VI funding, tax exempt bonds and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit to develop nine real estate projects totaling more than 500 affordable homes for low-income families. These projects will replace dilapidated multifamily housing (demolished by HUD) with predominantly scattered-site, single-family homes and townhouses. The CMHA partnership’s two components, Ward 7 / East Cleveland and Carver Park, span Cleveland’s east and west sides and is building East Cleveland’s first newly constructed homes in decades.

Capital Investment: $73.7 million