CHN Housing Partners 2022

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2022 LEASE PURCHASE RESIDENT NEWSLETTER

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INSIDE: COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT | HOMEOWNERSHIP | INVESTING IN YOUTH

Homeownership & Community

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HN Housing Partners was formed in 1981 by a group of community leaders who recognized the importance of affordable housing. Since then, our organization has evolved around one goal: To leverage the power of affordable, stable housing to change lives and improve communities.

Today, our mission in action means providing homeownership, developing new housing, lowering utility payments and energy usage, partnering with organizations to deliver large-scale community housing resources (like rental assistance and lead safety funding), providing housing and financial counseling, offering innovative and accessible lending products and more. We serve more than 50,000 families each year through this varied work.

Our deep commitment to our mission is rooted in the belief that we all have a vested interest in bettering our neighborhoods and city. We know strong, successful individuals and families make strong communities, and we strive to create meaningful community change by investing in the people we serve.

To that end, we invite you to explore inside the pages of this year’s resident newsletter, and to get involved throughout the year — whether through CHN’s Lease Purchase Community Facebook page, the Resident Engagement Council, summer workdays, youth work experience programming, or simply staying connected to CHN’s team.

Join the CHN Facebook Page Are you ready to become a homeowner?

Want to build connections with your local community?

Do you want to look for information about opportunities for your child?

Join the CHN Lease Purchase Community Facebook page to access community resources to help you get involved and prepare for your future!

Scan the QR code with your phone or visit the link below to join! facebook.com/groups/thechnneighborhood

“To me, home is a place where I can be in my own headspace and where I’m most comfortable. Home is where my family and friends come together for gatherings just because. Home is also where my mind, heart and soul is. Home is my everything.”

— D’Miyah

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“When I think of community, I envision people loving and helping each other. Elderly giving wise and encouraging words to the young while they help and support them. When CHN held their community cleanup, to me, that resembled a community coming together to beautify their neighborhood. Seeing everyone work together resembles community.”

— Jalecia

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“Home means opportunity. Growing up in a blue-collar household in Detroit, owning a home was a major milestone for my parents. Thanks to the equity they built, I was the first person in my family to go to college.

I wouldn’t be where I am today without that homeownership opportunity.”

— Kevin Nowak, CHN Executive Director

“I think most people believe community is simply where you live, but it’s much more than that. It’s a special feeling, and everyone has a different interpretation of it. For me, it’s being part of something beyond myself and feeling like I am bettering the world.”

— Laila

“I think community is an important source of social connection. One of my personal experiences with the community is going to the recreation centers with my friends and playing friendly pick up games and having fun without fighting or arguing. Sports help bring people together. Being involved in the community is a good element to have a satisfying life.”

— Terrell chnhousingpartners.org

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A single-family CHN home

Creating Opportunities Discover the ways CHN is fostering meaningful connections through homeownership & collaboration.

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e are hard at work creating new, affordable housing opportunities for families, seniors, young adults and people experiencing homelessness. Continue reading to learn more about the exciting developments underway at CHN. Our LEASE PURCHASE PROGRAM is expanding! 2021 brought growth on Cleveland’s West Side, with 60 units completed or underway, and our team is working to construct 60 additional units throughout Cleveland’s East Side, with construction beginning in 2022.

CLEVELAND SCHOLAR HOUSE is a supportive housing development that will help remove barriers for parents pursuing

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college degrees. It will not only provide affordable housing, but also offer highquality childcare, youth programming, academic support and supportive services. The partners involved in this project are CMHA, Step Forward, Cleveland State University, Cuyahoga Community College and United Way of Greater Cleveland. With construction scheduled to begin this year, we hope leasing will begin in 2023.

CUYAHOGA TRANSITIONED-AGED YOUTH (TAY) housing is for young adults 18 to 24 years old experiencing homelessness or aging out of the foster care system in Cuyahoga County. The model was developed in collaboration with A Place 4 Me, EDEN Inc., Enterprise Community Partners, FrontLine Service, Sisters of Charity Founda-

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tion and young adults with lived experience of homelessness. Once complete, the building will consist of approximately 50 residential units and dedicated community space.

THE ARCH AT ST. MICHAEL’S will help provide independent, affordable housing for eligible seniors, locking in affordability and promoting a walkable and engaging neighborhood on Cleveland’s near West Side. In partnership with Metro West Community Development Organization and Tremont West Development Corp., the former St. Michael’s School and nearby convent will be transformed into 46 one-bedroom units, a community room and wellness center. The development will include on-site maintenance and property management.

Partners in Action When we work together, positive, meaningful change is possible!

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ast summer, more than 100 volunteers jumped into action and supported two neighborhood beautification initiatives led by CHN. These types of efforts were begun by CHN in 2016 and have extended throughout Cleveland neighborhoods, particularly where CHN families live.

SLAVIC VILLAGE WORKDAY: In July, youth and adult volunteers from Slavic Village Development Corp., Cleveland Police Foundation and Cleveland Division of Police (Fourth District & Fifth District) joined CHN at the Morganic-Dan Kane Community Gardens. With a DJ posted up in the park, volunteers set out to spruce up the gardens and tackle Kenyon Avenue and the surrounding streets. Filling dumpsters provided by Republic Services, volunteers trimmed shrubs and trees, cut grass, cleaned vacant lots, and mulched and painted fences. Volunteers also helped to create and assemble senior citizen-accessible flowerbeds for Morganic Gardens. This specific project was requested by former Councilman Tony Brancatelli, who was instrumental in identifying the area’s needs, assisting with planning and volunteering during the event.

CHN youth volunteers from the Cleveland Police Foundation help to move brush during our Slavic Village Neighborhood clean up.

Micheala and Laila, mother and daughter CHN residents, joined our efforts to beautify Dan Kane Community Gardens.

A Cleveland Police Foundation youth leader helps to distribute mulch in the Dane Kane Community Gardens.

DETROIT SHOREWAY WORKDAY: Just before summer’s end, CHN and its partners volunteered in Dudley Triangle Park. With volunteers from Republic Services, Northwest Neighborhoods, Cleveland Police Foundation, Cleveland Division of Police (Second District) and CHN, five teams tackled three main streets and several courts. From cleaning the streets and vacant lots to sprucing up yards and landscaping basics, volunteer teams moved from east to west and eventually united as a singular team.

Officers from the Cleveland Division of Police, Second and Fifth Districts, joined us to help with our neighborhood clean up on Detroit Shoreway.

All of the volunteers in our Detroit Shoreway clean up in front of a newly built CHN home

Cynthia, CHN volunteer, and Officer Harris from the Cleveland Division of Police, Fifth District, take on cleaning the alleyway.

Rochelle, CHN director of property management, and Jason, CHN maintenance operations manager, led volunteer efforts in Detroit Shoreway. chnhousingpartners.org

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Paving Pathways to Success What was your first job?

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t CHN, we are committed to investing in the futures of the young people who reside in CHN homes. Through our partnership with Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), we have developed a pathway to provide a special experience — a quality first job!

During the last eight years, CHN and YOU have built a strong partnership through the Summer Youth Employment Program, which provides an employment opportunity for eligible 14- to 19-year-olds who are in high school. For CHN, we have a special opportunity because we not only promote the program among those who live in CHN homes, but we also develop and offer employment opportunities for those who sign up and are selected to work at CHN or with our partners.

Throughout the years, CHN’s efforts have provided hundreds of young people with employment and for many, their first job, their first exposure to the world of work and their first time making an income. These are the types of exciting, positive and meaningful experiences that we strive to provide to young people.

In 2021, dozens of CHN young people were employed throughout June and July over a six-week period. While some of those individuals worked at CHN, others worked with CHN’s partners, including Great Lakes Publishing, Cleveland Division of Police (Fifth District) and the Cleveland Police Foundation.

Though the true impact of these summer work experiences is immeasurable, 85% of the young people completed the program despite the challenges brought about by the global pandemic.

Each young person should be proud of themselves, as CHN is proud of them!

D’Miyah, a CHN resident and summer youth employee, cheeses with her mentor, Patricia, CHN’s Customer Support Representative.

Bryce, a CHN resident and summer youth employee, and his supervisor, Laura, CHN’s Facility Services Manager

Steps to Getting Your First Job Sign Up With CHN Complete CHN’s Application & Interview Attend YOU Validation & Orientation Start Your Work Experience For more information, call 216-672-3525 or email youthservices@chnhousingpartners.org.

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My CHN Experience

By Terrell, CHN Young Adult

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hroughout the last four years, I participated in the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) and worked for CHN. For me, it was a fantastic opportunity because it was much more than a summer job. I started as a member of the Mobile Crew, then worked as an office assistant for the Financial Mobility Center, and then as a project assistant for Community Building & Engagement. During all of that time, CHN considered me as a partner working toward an important cause. It was like my second family.

With the opportunity to work with different CHN departments, I have met so many people, made connections and built my communication, leadership and time management skills. I also learned how to adapt to new environments and discovered that I really like working with people rather than working alone. When I think about my first year, I was not really all that engaged, and I never really spoke about my life outside of work. But that changed my second year. I started talking with CHN staff about my future and other important things. I even kept in touch with them throughout the year to get advice. For me, it has been a year-round relationship.

Looking back, some of my favorite memories are from the community workdays that CHN organized throughout Cleveland to help neighborhoods become more enjoyable for residents. These events usually included dozens of volunteers from CHN and partners like Medical Mutual, Cleveland Public Safety Forces and other local community organizations. Everyone would just come together without any negative energy and tackle a neighborhood, cleaning up two or three city blocks. It was basically a volunteer block party, including food and a DJ. The thing I loved most about these events was seeing everyone working hard, bonding and having fun. It was an astonishing sight.

Hopefully, other CHN youth can have an experience like my own. I say this because CHN and the people who work there really care. They try to steer youth into the right direction and put them into positions for success. Each summer, I strived to get the best experience and, for me, that meant being a

Special Moments Terrell, a CHN resident and summer youth employee, with his mother, Tamara

“They say that it takes a village and I must say, CHN staff have definitely been part of that village team. They have helped Terrell become the awesome young man that he is, giving him the opportunity to work and build great work ethic and skills, as well as providing other resources and opportunities for his future. I can’t say thank you enough. CHN has been nothing but supportive to me and my family.”

– Tamara People, CHN Resident, Terrell’s Mother

Terrell and other youth employees working the assembly line at the Cleveland Food Bank in 2019, supporting a CHN summer initiative

sponge and soaking up all of the information I could and learning new skills. So, I feel like it is important that future summer youth employees have a positive mindset, be yourself and true to who you are, but also be ready for anything thrown at you. Working with CHN can be incredibly beneficial and help you to become prepared for the real world.

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n 2021, CHN partnered with Believe in Dreams and Toys for Tots to deepen our connection with and support of young CHN residents and their parents.

Believe in Dreams Founded in 2014, Believe in Dreams (BID) seeks to serve and empower young people who have experienced adversity, particularly nonmedical, by fulfilling their dreams. Each year, BID works to fulfill 100 dreams by collaborating with local organizations and listening and learning about each young person who is recommended for a dream opportunity. CHN and BID established a natural partnership through their shared passion of inspiring young people, and strengthening their sense of self and connection to community. Since last June, our organizations have worked closely to fulfill the dreams of 22 young people who live in CHN housing.

“Believe in Dreams is truly an amazing experience that is here for the community and to show our children that they can be and do anything in the world today,“ says Ms. Sanders, a CHN resident.

Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots To help make the holiday season a bit more special for each young person from our multifamily buildings, including Erie Square Apartments and Chevybrooke Estates, CHN partnered with the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program to make sure every young person under 12 years old had a couple of gifts “under the tree” this year. With more than 150 presents sorted and wrapped, 50 young people received gifts for the holidays. chnhousingpartners.org

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Opportunities for Adults Internships, Apprenticeships and Trainings CONTACT US

APPLY FOR INTERNSHIP CHN is committed to every member of COMPLETE INTERVIEW each household that resides within our housing.

We strive to find and create ATTEND ORIENTATION new professional development opportunities for people from all walks of life. Why? Because CHN START YOUR INTERNSHIP understands how crucial professional development is to building a bright, successful career.

New Internships Are you a young professional looking to take the next step in building your career?

CHN and our partners may have an internship opportunity for you.

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ompetition for quality professional internships among university and college students, as well as recent graduates, is at its highest. Coming from far and wide, spanning different industries, their levels of experience and skills vary.

However, unlike years past, today’s young professionals are extremely diverse, representing different genders, sexualities, ethnicities, races and financial backgrounds.

Unfortunately, this increased competition coupled with the existing barriers young professionals already face when trying to obtain industry-specific experiences, means that many people miss out on valu-

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able learning opportunities that many employers indentify as prerequisites for employment.

To help support both the professional development and financial independence of young adults, CHN is partnering with local organizations and companies throughout Cleveland and Cuyahoga County to create paid internship opportunities for young professionals. We have a particular focus on CHN residents between 18 and 24 years old. In 2021, CHN piloted its first internship collaboration with Sherwin-Williams, providing a CHN resident named Ryan with an eight-week, 128-hour experience

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as an IT (informational technology) intern.

As a result of this positive experience, CHN gained crucial learning and insight from Sherwin-Williams and Rayn about the type of internship that CHN wants to offer aspiring young professional CHN residents.

In 2022, we anticipate providing 35 internships across different industries.

For more information, contact 216-774-2401 or email dwidder@chnhousingpartners.org.

Want to Be a Professional Painter?

Learn a new skill!

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Get RRP Certified!

herwin-Williams and CHN are taking their partnership to a new level by training CHN residents on paint mechanics, coating techniques and industry technology. The 10-day professional paint training program provides a blend of community building and professional development. It gives residents a chance to learn a new skill, and in cases like CHN Resident Taysiah Williams, a new career.

“At the time, my mom forwarded the email. She was forwarding a lot of different things to me at the time. I told her I didn’t want to stay at Amazon. I wanted a skill that could give me more value. When she forwarded it to me, I immediately jumped at the opportunity. I did my research on what an RRP Certification is, and I said, ‘Oh okay, dope!’ My grandma worked at Sherwin-Williams as a machinist making paint for over 30 years. I feel like the opportunity came from her as a blessing. She saw me wanting something different and better, and so she sent it to me because she saw my heart,” says Williams as she reflects on why she joined the program.

Connect and work with local employers!

Williams, like many other participants, was a novice painter with very little experience when she first joined the program. At times, her confidence waivered. When asked about her commitment to finish, Williams says, “My mom taught me that failure wasn’t an option. I’m a CHN kid and have been living in CHN housing since I was 7 years old.

So, I wanted this to help me learn something that could help me take care of our house [in the future] when she’s no longer able to.”

Williams notes that she gained time management skills from the program.

“I lacked that heading in and since then, it has improved tremendously,” she says, remembering her instructor, Tammi, who inspired her as a woman who was knowledgeable about a field that is usually dominated by men.

After class, CHN hosted a job fair with more than a half-dozen employers, and Williams was able to land a job with a reputable painting company in town.

“I’m more than thankful for my experience in the paint training program because it helped me to become even more versatile and taught me a lot about myself,” she says.

Program participants checking out all the equipment and materials provided by Sherwin-Williams

Taysiah posing for the camera as she heads to work for the day

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING? Next Training Coming Soon, Sign Up Now! Starts: Monday, April 11 Ends: Friday, April 22 Time: 8:30 am – 2:30 pm Location: CHN Housing Partners, 2999 Payne Ave, Cleveland, OH 44114 Want more information?

Call 216-672-3525 or email jhill@chnhousingpartners.org.

Professional Paint Training In summer 2021, CHN kicked off its first cohort of CHN/Sherwin-Williams Paint Training Program — a free two-week training — conducted at CHN headquarters in partnership with experts from Sherwin-Williams, who trained CHN residents in the areas of paint mechanics, coating techniques and limited knowledge of repairs. Cohort I ran from Aug. 16 to Aug. 27. After the inclass training, the crew was able to tackle three large projects. Cohort II ran for two weeks in November and saw great success while tackling three big projects as well.

Each of these trainings ended with a Job Opportunity Fair featuring local employers.

CHN is happy to report that more than 60% of the participants have received employment or have started their own business in the paint industry because of these trainings.

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Your CHN Resource Team Over 1,400 Cleveland families are now successful homeowners through CHN’s LP Program, and all of us are here to help you achieve your goals!

Property Management Department Leadership Rochelle Harris, Director of Property Management

How to make your payments count!

On-time Rent Payments

Department Leadership Chris McNamara, Director of Maintenance

Your maintenance emergency to-do list!

No Partial Payments

Make yourself available to the contractor.

Recertification Appointments

Return all calls to set up an appointment immediately.

To contact Property Management, visit CHN’s website, chnhousingpartners.org, and find “Contact Us” and then select “Property Management.” You will then be redirected to another webpage with every property manager’s phone number and email.

Community Building & Engagement Division Leadership Daniel Widder, Manager of Community Building & Engagement

Did you know...

There is a CHN Lease Purchase Community?

There is a Resident Engagement Council?

CHN has youth and adult professional development and employment opportunities?

For more information or to get involved, call 216-664-6465 or email lpcommunity@chnhousingpartners.org.

Homeownership & Sales Department Leadership Dana Arrington, Director of Homeownership & Sales

Your keys to qualifying for a mortgage loan!

On-time Rent, 18 months Consistent Income, 24 months

Provide a daytime and evening phone number.

Always write down the name, company, and phone number of the repairman.

Make sure someone who is at least 18 years old is present, or the repairman will not be able to enter your home for the repair.

To contact the Maintenance Department, call 216-754-7110. Only emergency calls are accepted after 5:00 PM and on weekends. For all non-emergencies, CHN will contact you within 24 hours to schedule repairs.

Family Success Department Leadership Kate Carden, Director of Financial Mobility

What to expect when meeting with your Family Success Counselor!

Discussion about your homeownership and financial goals.

Your counselor will work with you to develop a household spending plan and review your free credit report and answer any questions.

Planning for you and your family’s success.

Your counselor will help you identify and develop goals for you and your family.

Connecting you with programs, supports, and resources.

Savings, $1,200

All Lease Purchase residents are required to participate in homeownership and financial counseling at least once a year.

Homebuyer’s Education, Certified

To contact Family Success, call 216-881-8443.

Debts, under 45%

To contact Homeownership & Sales, call 216-574-7101 or email chnlpresidents@chnhousingpartners.org.

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Maintenance

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Maintenance 101 The Maintenance Department is available to schedule you a “How To” inspection with one of our maintenance managers.

These appointments are approximately one hour and focus on how to: Change your furnace filter Identify where your main water valve is located and how to shut it off in case of an emergency Change batteries in your thermostat, carbon monoxide and smoke detectors

Operate your emergency key release on your overhead garage door (if you have one) Identify appropriate settings for your furnace and hot water tanks, as well as what to do in an emergency

Managers are also available to answer any questions you have regarding your home.

Clean and Tune Appointments

Furnace clean and tune appointments will be available if weather permits.

Appointments will be 1 hour with our HVAC technician to ensure that your furnace and A/C units are working properly and to prevent future maintenance issues.

To schedule a “How To” inspection and/or clean and tune appointment, please contact the Maintenance Department at 216-574-7110 and any customer service representative will be happy to assist you.

Making a Maintenance Request

Resident Reference Guide CHN Housing Partners Main Office: 216-574-7100 Maintenance: 216-574-7110 Youth Services: 216-774-2401 Homeownership: 216-574-7101 Cash Savings: 216-664-6466 Utility Services: 216-518-4014

First District Police Department 3895 W. 130th St., 216-623-5100

Second District Police Department 3481 Fulton Road, 216-623-5200

Third District Police Department 4501 Chester Ave., 216-623-5300

If you are experiencing a maintenance emergency, call the hotline at 216-574-7110 at any time. Most repairs are completed within 72 hours (exceptions include extensive repairs such as roofing or major sewer work). Please note, only emergency calls are accepted after 5 p.m. and on weekends. For all non-emergencies, CHN will contact you within 24 hours to schedule repairs.

Fourth District Police Department

To ensure quality service, please:

Fifth District Police Department

Make yourself available to the contractor.

Always write down the name, company and phone number of the technician.

Return all calls to set up an appointment immediately.

Make sure someone who is at least 18 years old is present, or the technician will not be able to enter your home for the repair.

Provide a daytime and evening phone number.

9333 Kinsman Road, 216-623-5400

881 E. 152nd St., 216-623-5500

Police Department Tip Line 216-621-1234

Preventive Maintenance Visits (PMVs) The CHN Maintenance Department schedules annual PMVs on all our properties.

These visits will include general inspections of the property to ensure all systems are working properly, including: • Electrical outlets (GFCI) and switches • All doors and windows, including garage • All plumbing fixtures and drains • All exterior components (roofing, siding, gutters) As a reminder, we have a $25 missed appointment fee.

Help Stop Fraud!

Help Stop Fraud CHN has a strict policy that no employee, property manager or CHN representative shall request to receive cash or personal favors from CHN housing or services.

If you know of any violation of this policy, please immediately send an email to reportfraud@ chnhousingpartners.org.

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NONPROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PAID CLEVELAND, OH PERMIT NO. 2272

2999 Payne Ave., Suite 134 Cleveland, OH 44114

Employment Family

Opportunities

Homeownership

Community

Education

Lease Purchase Community Meetings Wednesday, May 18, 6-7 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 17, 6-7 p.m.

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 6-7 p.m.