St. Clair Apartments

Development of the Project: The historic St. Clair Hotel in the Near East neighborhood of Columbus has been a prominent landmark since its days as a home-away-from-home for African American musicians and entertainers performing in Columbus. Vacant for decades, the structure was recently renovated as housing for seniors using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC). The Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing asked Community Housing Network (CHN) to become the replacement General Partner and Manager for the St. Clair Apartments.

CHN has developed a 31-unit, mixed tenancy building, which is continuing to serve individuals aged 55 or older who meet the LIHTC income requirements. Twenty-six of these units also provide permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless seniors in recovery from substance addiction or with other disabilities or special needs, such as mental illness, dual diagnosis, physical challenges, and long-term unemployment.

Renovations included repairs to the HVAC system, roof, storm water drainage, alarm system, and front steps; painting; new carpeting; and new unit doors and windows. To accommodate the supportive housing program, a new camera-monitored security system, unit intercom system, and controlled-access entrance were installed. In addition to the 31 apartments (mainly efficiency, one-, and two-bedroom units), the building provides office space for on-site service staff and a large community room for tenant association meetings, group activities, and social gatherings.

Community Housing Network, a nonprofit developer, owner, and manager of supportive housing, has been providing specialized property management services and rent subsidies to people with disabilities in the Columbus community 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 within Columbus and six suburban communities. CHN works in partnership with community-based supportive service agencies to link residents to the services they need.

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 St. Clair Apartments on St. Clair Avenue is not a group home, halfway house, treatment program, or a shelter. It is permanent affordable housing linked to a safety net of support and employment services that enable formerly homeless and disabled persons to live independently.

What services are provided? Tenants receive services offered by local service agencies, such as the Neighborhood House; Maryhaven; Southeast, Inc.; Columbus Neighborhood Health Center; North Central Mental Health - Elder Focus; the VA; Franklin County Office on Aging/Senior Options; and the Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging. Depending on individual tenant needs, services include outreach, substance abuse treatment, case management, health care, material assistance, mental health services, accessing benefits and rental subsidies, vocational training, employment services, and legal assistance.

How is the building managed? 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. Support service staff are on-site from 16 to 20 hours each day during the first operating year and from 8 to 12 hours per day during subsequent years.

The Supportive Housing Supervisor oversees building operations and coordinates services. Resident Assistants monitor security and maintenance within the building and assist the Housing Supervisor in meeting the needs of residents.

Does this housing change the safety of my neighborhood? CHN carefully screens and selects tenants who can benefit from the supportive services and live successfully in the community. Like all citizens, tenants living in the building have the same rights and responsibilities established by Fair Housing and Landlord-Tenant Laws. Tenants 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? Community Housing Network decided to undertake this project to serve the community by keeping the St. Clair operational and to serve older chronically homeless persons, a population that was not served in any systematic way in Franklin County. The location is central to numerous community resources, including bus services, shopping, employment opportunities, supportive services, and cultural and recreational facilities.

How to participate: The Community Housing Network invites your participation in the Community Advisory Committee, which helps guide our plans for this project. This Committee executed a Good Neighbor Agreement that addressed the community's expectations for this project. For more information about this supportive housing 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

Sponsors: Funding and support for this development has been provided from the following organizations:

Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing
Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (Section 8)
Ohio Department of Development, Ohio Housing Finance Agency
ADAMH (Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health) Board of Franklin County
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Community Shelter Board and the City of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and the United Way of Central Ohio
Rebuilding Lives Funder Collaborative
City of Columbus
Ingram-White Castle Foundation
JP Morgan Chase Bank