Parsons Avenue Apartments
Parsons Avenue Apartments offers housing and supportive services to formerly homeless men disabled by substance addiction. Originally the site of the Tosheff's Restaurant and Hotel, the building's historic significance was preserved during renovation, allowing it to be nominated to the National Register of Historic Places. The building now provides 25 units (studio apartments) of quality, affordable permanent supportive housing linked to social, health and employment services.
Who are the sponsors of Parsons Avenue Apartments? Community Housing Network, Inc. (CHN) is working in partnership with Southeast, Inc. to provide this permanent supportive housing program. 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. Southeast, Inc. is one of the largest community mental health centers in Franklin County and has a long track record of providing mental health and substance abuse services to homeless people.
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.
What services are provided? Tenants receive services offered by Southeast 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. CHN staff are present in the building 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide general oversight and supervision. Southeast 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. 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.
Why was this building chosen for supportive housing? The location provides easy access to bus service, convenience shopping and employment opportunities.
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, Southeast 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. 957 East Broad Street Columbus, Ohio 43205 (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
- Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing
- Ohio Equity Fund IX
- City of Columbus, Department of Development
- Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (Section 8)
- United Way of Central Ohio
- United Way anonymous donor
- Franklin County Commissioners
