North High Street Apartments
North High Street apartments offers permanent housing and support services to formerly homeless individuals disabled by mental illness, substance addiction or dual diagnosis. Renovated in 2002, the brick apartment building provides 36 units (studio apartments) of quality, affordable, permanent supportive housing linked to social, health and employment services. Trained management staff are present in the building 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide general oversight and supervision to the building. Residents take pride in their home, performing all routine lawn and landscaping maintenance.
Who are the sponsors of North High Street? Community Housing Network, Inc. (CHN) is working in partnership with Concord Counseling to provide this housing program for people with special needs. CHN, the owner 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.
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. Community-based 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 at North High Street 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 High are formerly homeless men and women who are disabled by mental illness, substance addiction, dual diagnosis, physical disability or long-term unemployment. These individuals were chronically homeless or episodically homeless and have been unable to maintain permanent housing, primarily due to significant addiction issues, which may be complicated by mental illness. Many tenants are employed or working toward employment or receive disability benefits.
What services are provided? Tenants receive services offered by Concord Counseling 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 is the apartment building managed? This project brings together two very capable and experienced organizations to offer housing and supportive services to benefit chronically homeless individuals. CHN developed, owns, manages and operates this building. Concord Counseling employs a Service Engagement Specialist, based in the building, to coordinate services and expedite linkages to treatment.
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 High Street fit in the neighborhood? CHN's award-winning renovation (designed by Steve Hurtt, Urban Order, architect) of the existing (40-unit) apartment building included the creation of a new front facade with entry at grade level and handicapped accessibility. On the first floor, four apartments were reconfigured to create a front desk entry and a large common area. Two additional first floor apartments were redesigned to be fully handicapped accessible. Additional building improvements included replacements and upgrades to the HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems, kitchen improvements, paint and floor covering. The completed building contains 36 studio apartments. Landscaping has also been added to improve the buildings' street appeal. The architecture is compatible with other buildings in the area. CHN will continue 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 convenience shopping.
Area residents are participating in this program through the Community Advisory Council, which was formed in the planning stages of this project and meets quarterly to ensure continued community involvement. The Council works closely with CHN, Concord Counseling 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
Our sponsors - Community Housing Network and its partner would like to thank the following organizations for their funding and support of this project:
- Community Shelter Board
- U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (Supportive Housing Program)
- Ohio Department of Development, Ohio Housing Finance Agency
- City of Columbus, Department of Development
- Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (Section 8)
- Ohio Department of Mental Health
- ADAMH Board of Franklin County
- Columbus Foundation
- United Way of Central Ohio
- United Way anonymous donor
- Fifth Third Bank
- Franklin County Commissioners
