East Fifth Avenue Apartments

East Fifth Avenue

Since opening its doors on February 11, 2004, East Fifth Avenue Apartments has become home to 38 formerly homeless women. Not only do these studio apartments provide affordable housing (with subsidies), they also offer the opportunity to enter recovery and develop and maintain stability within the framework of a supportive community. The apartment complex has monitored entrances and 24-hour on-site staffing.

Owner/operator Community Housing Network, with over 21 years of experience in developing and managing over 1,000 supportive housing units, has partnered with Concord Counseling Services to offer these apartments. Concord Counseling has provided quality mental health and drug/alcohol services in Franklin County for over 30 years. A full-time Service Engagement Specialist from Concord provides and coordinates individual and group services to residents and also links residents to entitlements, medical, dental and employment and job training services (from CHN's Employment Center and other community-based opportunities).

Residents hold their own leases and pay their own rent; they have the same rights and responsibilities as residents in other apartment buildings, as established in Fair Housing and Landlord/Tenant Laws.

East Fifth Avenue Apartments is located at East Fifth Avenue in East Columbus. This location provides good access to frequent bus service that serves employment centers such as downtown, Port Columbus and Easton. Community organizations, including the East Columbus Civic Association, the East Fifth Avenue Business Association, and the Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs offer training, activities and other opportunities for residents as well.

To develop this project, the two existing apartment buildings (with 18 units each) were renovated and a new common building, entry and connecting solarium were created. The new building has one fully accessible handicapped apartment and another equipped for a tenant with sight/sound disabilities; it also features a common area, kitchen, laundry, offices, and program and meeting space.

East Fifth Avenue Apartments responds to housing needs identified in the Rebuilding Lives initiative of the Community Shelter Board and to housing needs identified by the ADAMH Board of Franklin County. This project is an important investment that will work toward eliminating homelessness. Homeless women have traditionally been under-served in Columbus. Their needs are complicated and unique. They may have personal and intergenerational histories of poverty, addiction and abuse. They are often separated from their children. East Fifth Avenue Apartments offers the stability and support they need to be able to maintain their housing and to make other changes in their lives.

Area residents, businesses and organizations are participating in this program through the Community Advisory Committee, which meets quarterly to foster open communication with the community regarding the operation of East Fifth Avenue Apartments. The Committee works closely with CHN and Concord Counseling to ensure the success of supportive housing for both the tenants and the neighborhood. A Good Neighbor Agreement has been signed, which sets forth mutual expectations for the operation and success of the program.

For more information about East Fifth Avenue Apartments or to volunteer to serve on the Community Advisory Council, please contact Anthony Penn, Chief Operating Officer, Community Housing Network, Inc., 957 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205 (614) 487-6700 ext. 107.

Community Housing Network recognizes support from the following organizations that helped make East Fifth Avenue Apartments possible:

Capital Development

  • Ohio Housing Finance Agency
  • Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing
  • Fifth Third Bank
  • U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • City of Columbus
  • Ohio Department of Development
  • United Way of Central Ohio
  • An Anonymous Donor
  • Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs
  • Jeffrey Family Foundation
  • Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Service and Operations Financing

  • U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority
  • Community Shelter Board
  • Board of Franklin County Commissioners
  • City of Columbus
  • United Way of Central Ohio

Service Partners

  • Concord Counseling Services
  • Shelter Providers and Outreach Workers
  • ADAMH Board of Franklin County

Development Team

  • Al Unetic - Owner's Representative
  • John Haytas, Architects - Architect
  • Wallick Construction - General Contractor
  • Carlile Patchen and Murphy - Ownership Structuring Counsel
  • Shuler Plank and Brahm - Zoning Counsel
  • Vorys Sater Seymour and Pease - General Counsel
  • CBIZ Accounting, Tax and Advisory - Project Audit
  • Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing - Financial Structuring
  • Community Housing Network - Developer

Community Advisory Committee

  • East Columbus Civic Association
  • East Fifth Avenue Business Association
  • Dominican Sisters of St. Mary of the Springs
  • East Columbus Block Watch Association
  • Krumm Park & Recreational Center
  • Corinthian Baptist Church
  • C&S Lounge and Restaurant
  • ADAMH Board of Franklin County
  • Community Shelter Board
  • Concord Counseling Services