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CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH -- The City of Cleveland Heights is excited to announce it has entered into a purchase agreement with National Church Residences (NCR), a Columbus-based non-profit senior housing developer, who will acquire the former Universalist Unitarian Church building at 2728 Lancashire Road and two adjacent surface parking lots to construct a $22 million, 71-unit apartment building that is both affordable and for people over the age of 55.
“A thriving Cleveland Heights means that our City government must continue to pursue opportunities to increase density and diversify housing options for all residents and the various phases of their lives,” said Mayor Seren.
NCR specializes in housing for individuals whose income is 30 to 80 percent of the area median income (or AMI) and that feature universal design principles to improve accessibility for seniors. NCR owns and manages 115 properties in Ohio and 360 senior housing communities across the United States, making them the largest non-profit senior, affordable housing developer in the country.
“We’re excited to be working with National Church Residences to provide Cleveland Heights with new and affordable housing options that serve our growing community of seniors,” said Cleveland Heights Assistant Director of Economic Development, Brian Anderson.
In the agreement, NCR will purchase the vacant church and parking lots on a little over an acre of land owned by the city for $500,000 and build a four-story apartment with an elevator and amenities including a fitness center, outdoor gathering spaces, an on-staff social services coordinator, and common areas. The City agreed to credit $306,000 of the purchase fee for NCR to construct 22 publicly accessible and permit-only off-street parking spaces and 28 angle-in parking spaces for public and permit use at the site (across from existing senior housing Musician’s Tower) on Lancashire Road.
With this and the Nobility Court development scheduled for construction in 2025 on Noble Road, the City will increase the supply of affordable senior housing in two neighborhoods that are walkable and transit-accessible while reusing vacant properties.
“Senior housing options, in particular, have been lacking in Cleveland Heights,” the mayor said. “The two developments at strategic locations across our City will mean that more residents can stay in their community as they age.”
“The city has led a number of high-end market rate developments in last few years,” Anderson added. “This is a city-participated project supporting affordability, building denser neighborhoods and offering new housing choice across the spectrum of price points. Plus, this is a location close to Coventry Road; it has shops, a grocery store, transit, and the library in proximity.”
NCR introduced the development to Cleveland Heights at a community meeting held on November 14, 2024 at the Coventry Library. More than 30 individuals attended, many of whom expressed interest in the future property.
Next steps include NCR applying to the State of Ohio for Low Income Housing Tax Credits, scheduling a second public meeting to gather input, and NCR developing plans for the City’s Planning Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Architectural Board of Review.
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