Photos courtesy of Hiti, DiFrancesco and Siebod, architects.
In what’s being called “the first of its kind” in Cleveland, the Lotus housing development is offering stable housing and workforce development training to formerly homeless young adults aged 18 to 24.
Developed by CHN Housing Partners, a member of the NeighborWorks network, the Lotus is designed to support young people who have aged out of foster care. It provides them with safe, stable, affordable housing, along with services aimed at helping them become self-sufficient.
“There is a real need, not just here in Cleveland, but across the country, for housing dedicated to youth who’ve experienced homelessness, especially those aging out of the foster care system,” said Kevin Nowak, CHN’s president and CEO. “The goal of the Lotus is to offer stable housing and equip these young people with the skills they need to transition to long-term housing independently.”
The development came together after several years of thoughtful planning to create a development that is focused on helping young people stabilize and take steps to self-sufficiency. It is just one more example of how
the NeighborWorks network builds opportunity, creates homes and builds America.
“We had a number of layers in financing this deal, significant community investment, for a total of $18.8 million,” says Nowak. “And that investment has a multiplying effect – it created jobs around construction, and also permanent jobs within the development itself.”
The development includes 50 housing units: 38 for individuals and 12 for young adults with children. The design reflects the needs of young families, providing a child-friendly environment that supports both parents and children in ways traditional youth housing programs may not.
In addition to housing, the Lotus offers wraparound services such as mental health care, life skills training and job readiness support. Residents learn financial literacy, job application and interview skills, and home maintenance. They also receive guidance on future long-term housing options, including the possibility of homeownership in the future. CHN’s long-time partner, Emerald Development and Economic Network (EDEN), delivers onsite services.
The support the residents receive has additional benefits, Nowak explains. “At our supportive housing developments, we’ve seen better outcomes from a mental health perspective and increases in broader health outcomes,” he says. “So, from a financial perspective, we're actually benefiting the community because we're decreasing the dependence on other government supports, because we're improving health outcomes and increasing the ability of residents to find meaningful and stable employment.”
CVS Health, a financial contributor to the project, offers residents access to its CVS Health Workforce Innovation
and Talent Center. There, young adults can participate in hands-on training programs that help with finding employment as pharmacy technicians and retail associates.
CHN provides affordable housing and homeownership opportunities to families, individuals and seniors throughout Cuyahoga County and the region, developing on average 170 affordable homes each year.
As a network, NeighborWorks ranks among the top 100 builders in the U.S. based on the combined output of its members.
“Our collaboration with NeighborWorks America has elevated our impact,” Nowak says. “We’re now creating additional opportunities for our youth, particularly in workforce development and community involvement, that we hadn’t imagined before.”
He continues, “At CHN, we operate with a guiding principle: ‘The Power of a Permanent Address.’ We believe housing is more than just shelter. It’s a springboard for young people and families to access education, jobs, healthcare and stability.”
Nowak says that, for youth who have faced repeated displacement, stable, affordable housing is a critical first step toward healing and transformation. “Everything we do beyond providing housing is the secret sauce,” he adds. “We’re not just offering a place to live – we’re empowering residents to take control of their future.”
