August 2018
    
What's Happening!
9/3   CMHA Closed
9/8   Good Neighbor Program
9/10  Marketing Mondays
9/19  A Cookie & A Chat with HCV
9/25  Board of Commissioners 
        Meeting at Cary Crossing      

Contact Us
Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority
1627 Western Avenue
Cincinnati, Ohio 45214
(513) 721-4580
 
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Hello from the CEO!
Gregory D. Johnson
Transforming Affordable Housing
 
Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority is the owner and manager of more than 5300 affordable housing units and we are constantly working to improve and expand our footprint. Over the past few years the agency team members have renovated, rehabbed and built nearly 1000 units. From 2014 through June of 2018 CMHA has preserved approximately 700 units. The renovation work to the properties was completed despite fluctuations in financing. We have also provided affordable housing solutions for specific demographics with the development of Cary Crossing and West Union Square.   The CMHA-owned sites were made for persons with disabilities and seniors 55 and older respectively. The two sites house a total of 106 families and individuals. During this time frame CMHA built those new properties as well as purchased and renovated 124 units across Hamilton County. West Union Square is our newest development; read about the opening celebration in the story below. 
 
Also, we are working on an overall conversion plan for the 5,000 plus CMHA properties. When the transformation is complete Hamilton County families will have more affordable housing choices and opportunities as CMHA assets will be improved and have an extended life. With that being said, applications for the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) were successfully submitted to HUD and Commitment for Housing Assistance Payments (CHAPs) have been received for the first nine projects. Park Eden, Evanston and Sutter View will be the first three sites to close under RAD. Information about that will continue to be shared online and in the newsletter.
 
If you're interested in learning more about CMHA Programs and initiatives, please visit www.cintimha.com. And you can always share information with us by calling our Talk 2 Us Hotline at (513) 721-CMHA or by visiting us online or through social media channels.


Kind Regards,   
    
Gregory D. Johnson, MS, PHM, EDEP
Chief Executive Officer
Dare2Read    Dare to Read  
"Brianna is a trendsetter," stated Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority CEO Gregory Johnson when presenting her with a prize that started from a dare. The book giveaway at the Winton Terrace BBQ was about more than connecting residents to resources; it was the beginning stage of a Dare to Read Initiative. Mr. Johnson challenged 10-year-old Brianna to read two books and write reports on them. Her grandfather Nashid Shakir did not quite agree and said, "She has to be challenged." So the assignment increased to six books! Miss Brianna accepted and completed the challenge, writing reports on Malcom X, Zora Neal Hurston, Assata Shakur, Sonia Sanchez, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rosa Parks in just over a month. When choosing stories to write about Brianna knew she wanted to include Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. after giving it some thought she added the others because "I didn't know a lot about the other four figures and I thought if Mr. Johnson didn't know about them I would be teaching him something too."
Brianna didn't just gain knowledge she walked away with $50 cash! The Dare to Read Initiative will be presented to all children who participate in either the Asset Management or Housing Choice Voucher programs. Details of the initiative are being worked out and will be shared with everyone at a future date.

           Brianna receives prize from Mr. Johnson


The Jurisdiction Wide Resident Advisory Board (J-RAB) and CMHA partnered together to get children ready for the new school year. A Backpack Giveaway kicked off in Millvale on August 6, 2018 where nearly 300 children received new backpacks and school supplies. The donated items not only put smiles on the faces of parents and kids it showed unity. Millvale Property Manager Dorine Neal stated, " It was important to partner with the JRAB's outreach group to show residents that Millvale Management Office is here to assist the Community in whatever way possible. We know it takes a village to raise a child and we are here to lend a helping hand."

J-RAB representatives Nashid Shakir and Delorise Calhoun led the distribution in Millvale and Setty Kuhn and they point out, "partnering was very important in the Millvale area because of the lack of a resident council, but in other areas with resident councils and/or active residents it was more convenient than important." J-RAB also worked with Setty Kuhn property management to distribute school supplies at the Walnut Hills site. There were a total of 400 backpacks given away between those two locations and the high rises. The remaining family sites also received back to school donations supplied by J-RAB council members at those locations.

 AgspotlightCMHAUAgency Spotlight:  West Union Square Grand Opening
CMHA's newest senior housing development West Union Square is now open! We want you to join us as we celebrate the revitalization of Jonrose Avenue in Colerain Township. The West Union Square Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Grand Opening takes place September 7, 2018 from 10am to Noon. The property is 70 units of affordable housing for seniors 55 and older. The interior common spaces resemble a town square with a salon, cafĂ©, computer lab and movie theater. Housing amenities include a smoke-free environment, washer/dryer hook ups, no step entrances, dishwashers, central heat/AC and open floor plans. Please plan to join us Friday, September 7, 2018 beginning at noon for property tours and the grand opening. Reservations are requested. 
 
 BBQSuccessBBQ, Books & Success

Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority goes beyond housing with many events and services that benefit residents, partners and the community at large. The Resident Awareness Community BBQs are a great example. CMHA hosted its 4th Annual series of Community BBQs this summer during three separate events in Winton Terrace, Millvale and Stanley Rowe. People attending the family-friendly events enjoyed good food, prizes, music and fun family-friendly activities that also fueled and encouraged self-sufficiency.
 
The cookouts, designed to positively connect local service agencies and residents, were very successful and saw huge increases in participation. The Stanley Rowe and Winton Terrace BBQ resident participation increased by more than 100% and the number of vendors increased as well. With the help of our partners, the Cincinnati Library and BRE Book-Rich Environments Initiative, we were able to provide nearly 9,000 books to the families that stopped by the library's table at the three locations. People ages 2 to 82 were piling up the books to create their own private library. CMHA proudly joins forces with our partners to transform the housing authority into a book-rich environment!