Columbus recently upped its commitment to preserving and developing affordable housing in the city’s South Side, bringing the investment among the city, Community Development for All People, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing to $25 million. The partnership is working to build and renovate 170 units of affordable housing before gentrification pushes long-time residents out of the area.

This innovative partnership, which has already built, renovated and improved 300 units in Columbus’s South Side, shows what’s possible through innovative partnerships.

Here are a few other promising recent developments around the state:

Community Support Services opens Stoney Pointe Commons

Community Support Services in partnership with Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority, National Church Residences, and Tober Development Company recently opened a newly constructed $11.9 million permanent supportive housing development in Akron.

This project holds 68 one-bedroom units, with 51% of them dedicated to individuals who were homeless. Seven units will be affordable to households at 30% AMI and 34 units affordable to households at 50% AMI. Sixty units receive subsidy through project based Section 8 vouchers. Stoney Pointe Commons also received an award of eight VASH vouchers to house homeless veterans. This project was selected for top priority in its Continuum of Care, partnering with a service provider that offers Medicaid funded services, working with the CoC to admit referrals from a coordinated entry system.

Funding for the project came from Ohio’s PSH pool of Low Income Housing Tax Credits, federal HOME funds and the Ohio Housing Trust Fund. Partners include Huntington, OCCH, and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.

Levin Group opens Conneaut Manor

Representatives of HUD, OHFA, OCCH, the City of Conneaut, the office of Congressman Tim Ryan and other project stakeholders recently celebrated a newly renovated $6.6 million, 53-unit affordable housing development in Conneaut. This development includes one five story elevator building that has been completely renovated and modernized.  All 53 units will provide affordable housing for seniors and persons with disabilities.

Conneaut Manor had been well maintained, but many important building systems had passed their useful lives. The renovation of Conneaut manor was funded in part with housing tax credits and will serve extremely low-income populations by preserving existing units with section 8 rental subsidies.

Model Group Breaks Ground on Cincinnati Scholar House

 The Model Group recently broke ground on the $12 million Cincinnati Scholar House, an affordable housing community for families located in the Peebles Corner Historic District in Walnut Hills.

The scholar house model provides affordable housing and support for low-income parents to seek education that will help them obtain full-time employment.  While parents attended classes, their children will learn and be cared for at an on-site early learning academy.