North 22nd Street Apartments
North 22nd Street apartments offers housing and support services to formerly homeless and disabled individuals. Renovated in 2001, the property provides 31 units (one-bedroom apartments) of supportive housing in two brick apartment buildings. One resident manager and other trained staff help tenants take advantage of community-based social, health and employment programs. Residents, who have become active members of the community, volunteer for local organizations and sponsor a community garden.
Who are the sponsors of North 22nd Street? Community Housing Network, Inc. (CHN) is working in partnership with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Columbus Area, Inc. and other service providers to provide this housing program for people with special needs. CHN, the general partner and property manager, is a nonprofit developer, owner, and manager of supportive housing and has been providing specialized property management services and rent subsidies to people with disabilities since 1987. To date, CHN has developed and owns over 1,000 apartments at 130 different sites, which are widely scattered throughout Franklin County in 27 zip codes and six suburban communities in addition to Columbus. Columbus Area, Inc. and other support providers provide comprehensive mental health and wellness services to Franklin County residents. The VA provides case management services and linkages to community-based services for the residents at North 22nd Street who are veterans.
What is supportive housing? Supportive housing is quality, affordable, permanent housing linked to social, health and employment services. Residents hold their own leases and pay their own rents. Support services enable residents to find work, maintain their recovery, and give back to the community. Supportive housing also provides peer support and a sense of community, which are often lacking in the lives of the formerly homeless and people with a disability. Over the past decade supportive housing has been successfully developed and operated throughout Franklin County including suburban communities like Bexley, Upper Arlington, Reynoldsburg, Grandview, Grove City, and Worthington.
Is this a shelter or group transitional home? No. The apartments on North 22nd are not a group home, halfway house, treatment program, or a shelter. It is permanent affordable housing linked to a safety net of support services that enable formerly homeless and disabled persons to live independently with hope and dignity.
The residents of North 22nd include at least fifteen formerly homeless individuals who meet the Rebuilding Lives definition of homelessness and have a mental health and/or substance abuse disability. The remaining residents also are low income and disabled with special needs. One trained resident manager lives on-site. Support services are provided to all tenants through the VA, Columbus Area and other service providers.
What services are provided? Tenants receive services offered by the VA, Columbus Area and other service providers that include on-going assessment, case management, psychiatric services, medication monitoring, individual counseling, substance abuse treatment, assistance with activities of daily living, skills training, and referrals to community services. CHN's Employment Center provides employment services, including job skills training, desk staff and cleaning employment training, resume assistance, education and job training referrals, job development, and volunteer opportunities.
How are the apartment buildings managed? CHN is the general partner and property manager and serves as the lead agency in the collaborative with the VA, Columbus Area and other service providers. CHN employs one resident manager and one Housing Retention Specialist, based at CHN's main office, to select new tenants, facilitate community orientation, coordinate community meetings, address repair and maintenance issues, maintain communication between service providers and oversee the property. The Housing Retention Specialist is available to direct and facilitate all leasing and property management activity for the property, including janitorial service for the common area, maintenance, determination of income eligibility of tenants, overseeing tenant relations with respect to lease enforcement, and rent collection and administration.
Tenants have the same rights and responsibilities as residents in other apartment buildings. Like all citizens, they have the same rights and responsibilities established by Fair Housing and Landlord/Tenant laws. To assure tenants rights, CHN has a Tenants Rights policy, which is provided to all tenants and includes a grievance process. Like any tenant, they are subject to eviction for disruptive behavior. Residents must pay rent and maintain their apartments just like other apartment tenants.
How does North 22nd fit in the neighborhood? CHN made significant improvements to the building including roof repair, installation of air conditioning, kitchen and bathroom repairs, painting, carpet and floor covering replacement, handrail and screen repair and general deferred maintenance. In addition, the basement room was finished to provide space for a laundry and tenant social activities. Landscaping was also added to improve the buildings' street appeal. The architecture is compatible with other buildings in the area. CHN continues to protect its investment in this property through planned quality maintenance and attractive landscaping.
Why was this building chosen for supportive housing? The location provides easy access to bus service and employment, and it is in close proximity to the VA and Columbus, which provide services to the residents living in the building.
Area residents are participating in this program through the Community Advisory Council, which was formed in the planning stages of this project and meets twice per year to ensure continued community involvement. The Council works closely with Community Housing Network, Inc., Columbus Area, the VA and the tenants to ensure the success of supportive housing for both the tenants and the neighborhood. Neighborhood leaders are active participants in this Council. The Council developed a Good Neighbor Agreement that sets forth mutual expectations for the operation and success of the program.
Who to contact? For more information about the supportive housing program or to volunteer to serve on the Community Advisory Council, please contact:
Anthony Penn, Chief Operating Officer
Community Housing Network, Inc. (614) 487-6700 ext. 107
- Community Shelter Board
- Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing
- Ohio Department of Development, Ohio Housing Finance Agency
- City of Columbus, Department of Development
- Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (Section 8)
- Franklin County
- United Way of Central Ohio
