Briggsdale Apartments
Opening its doors in March 2006, Briggsdale Apartments is providing permanent supportive rental apartments for individuals disabled by mental illness, substance addiction or histories of chronic homelessness. Developed, owned and operated by Community Housing Network, Inc. (CHN), this new apartment complex at 1670 Harrisburg Pike, Columbus, Ohio, has 35 studio apartments, community space, a computer lab for residents, and offices for 24-hour staffing. The total cost for the project was just under $4 million.
Briggsdale Apartments is part of the nationally recognized Rebuilding Lives Program, a collaborative community-wide effort (coordinated by the Community Shelter Board) to end chronic homelessness in Columbus/Franklin County, Ohio.
Why is this housing needed?
The housing CHN provides is known as Supportive Housing. It is permanent housing that provides links to social, health and employment services. This housing model has proven to be a successful environment for disabled or homeless individuals who have otherwise been unable to maintain housing.
This housing offers disabled and homeless individuals a stable living environment and the opportunity to receive treatment, find work, maintain recovery and give back to the community. Success is measured by length of stay in housing, becoming connected to supportive services and treatment, and by increased income through employment.
What supportive services are offered?
Southeast, Inc. (Recovery and Mental Health Care Services) partners with CHN to provide supportive services, including primary case management and mental health and chemical dependency counseling services; individual and group programming, such as goal setting, physical fitness, basic life skills, budgeting, addiction education, job preparation, family reconciliation, and leisure activities; and linkage to medical, dental, legal, and employment services, and entitlements. Group and individual support services are based on the Stages of Change model. CHN's Placement Center provides residents with job preparation, placement and retention services.
How is the building managed?
Community Housing Network has an 21-year track record of developing and managing supportive apartments rented to people with special needs. This nonprofit agency owns and manages more than 1,000 apartments located at 130 different sites. Apartments are widely scattered throughout Franklin County in 27 zip codes within Columbus and six suburban communities.
CHN is committed to responsible and comprehensive property management. CHN's oversight of its apartments is far greater than most property management organizations. CHN has 24-hour on-call capacity and a constant presence at its buildings. In addition to daytime operations and social service staff, Briggsdale Apartments has staff present in the building 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, to assure a safe and secure living environment and to monitor building operation. Staff limit entrance to the building to residents and registered guests, provide assistance to residents and monitor the common area and building grounds. The building has a video security and intercom system.
How does Briggsdale Apartments fit into the community?
With community assistance, CHN established a Community Advisory Council to assist with project planning and ensure long-term community participation. The Council participated in selecting the architectural design for the building. The design is reminiscent of the Briggs farm that once occupied this land. The Council entered into a mutually agreeable Good Neighbor Agreement, which defines community standards and expectations for operations and communication to assure this housing's success for both the tenants and the neighborhood. Neighbors and neighborhood organizations serve on the Council.
CHN carefully screens and selects tenants who can benefit from the supportive services and live successfully in the community. Tenants living in the building must be "good neighbors" and are subject to eviction for behavior that violates the terms of their lease. Tenants must pay rent, respect their neighbors and maintain their apartments just like other apartment tenants.
Why was this location chosen for supportive housing?
The location provides easy access to public transportation, convenience shopping and to employment areas.
What are the funding sources for this project?
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA) Housing Development Assistance Program (HDAP), Franklin County (HOME and CDBG funds), City of Columbus (HOME funds), the United Way of Central Ohio, and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati provided funding for the development of this project. The Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing provided tax credit syndication and other financing assistance. Construction began in July 2005 and was completed in February 2006.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Ohio Department of Development are providing funding for operations; and the Alcohol, Drug Abuse and Mental Health (ADAMH) Board of Franklin County is providing operations and services funding. The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority provides rental subsidies.
For more information about these supportive housing apartments or to volunteer to serve on the Community Advisory Council, contact Anthony Penn, Chief Operating Officer, Community Housing Network, Inc. 614-487-6700 ext. 108.
