The conversion of Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority properties is on the horizon. The changes allow CMHA to continue to strengthen and invigorate our community by preserving affordable housing throughout Hamilton County. Our conversion communication team recently met with families that live in The Evanston and Park Eden to share information on the renovations that will take place at those sites in the next few weeks. We have been gathering feedback from residents about the specific changes they would like at their home and many of their priorities are also top priorities that are being addressed in the renovation plans. The conversion at these sites are happening through RAD which helps the agency stabilize funding while providing quality affordable housing for families.

 

The Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA) Fall Meeting was held in Washington, D.C. and I gladly represented Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority at the event. CLPHA is a national organization that works to preserve and improve public and affordable housing through advocacy, research, policy analysis and public education. While there I had the honor to serve as the moderator for the VASH panel discussion. It highlighted the current successes and challenges facing PHAs as they help veterans secure long-term housing stability and included an open discussion of ways to improve the program. Before the panelists began, the video we created featuring our partnership with the Cincinnati VA and Medical Center was played in its entirety. It was well received and is a great example of a successful way to work together on housing our heroes. If you would like to watch the video, click here and select the Empowering People photo.

Also here back at home, bridgeable Cincinnati asked me to participate in a community conversation on The Affordable Housing Search Process. The group included various residents, property owners and community stakeholders. bridgeable's belief is that "living an issue every day makes you an expert and leaders make better decisions when they can access and learn from the expertise of lived experience." Several CMHA residents participated and it was a great opportunity to hear about some of the challenges they have faced. It was also a good way to share information about the organizational connections we offer as a community resource for our families. Information about the various additional programs CMHA provides is available on our website.