Dec. 12: Board of Commissioners, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority
Covered by Documenter Kellie Morris (notes)
Senior rental assistance planned
The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) Board of Commissioners approved two investments in affordable senior housing during its Dec. 12 meeting.
One is a five-year contract extension between CMHA and Harvard Elderly Limited Partnership. Since 2020, the contract has provided rental assistance to tenants of seven units at Harvard Village Senior Apartments, a 49-unit apartment building in Slavic Village. Applicants who are at least 62 years old are prioritized, according to Dorivette Nolan, who oversees policy and voucher administration for CMHA. All seven units are occupied.
The board also approved a contract with Walton Senior LLC. It will provide rental assistance to tenants of 20 units at Walton Senior Apartments. The new 52-unit building is planned for Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton neighborhood.
Both rental-assistance projects are funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program. Voucher holders typically pay 30% or less of their income toward rent and the voucher covers the rest.
Housing authorities like CMHA can give priority to specific communities, such as seniors and people with disabilities.
CMHA finalizes budget for 2025
The board approved a $260 million spending budget for next year, covering most of CMHA’s operations. It covers initiatives such as administering the Housing Choice Voucher program and other affordable housing options. A roughly $363,000 budget for the Progressive Action Council also moved forward. The council serves as an informational resource for CMHA tenants.
Bridging the ‘digital divide’
The board also extended a contract with Spectrum to continue providing internet and cable services. The $548,532 one-year contract allows residents to remain connected and “close the digital divide” through HUD’s ConnectHomeUSA Program, according to Marykate Hammer, deputy director of information technology for CMHA.
Hammer said that 19 high-rise apartments have in-unit internet. Residents can access security features – such as viewing the lobby entrances – from smart devices. In 2025, CMHA plans to increase security at its high-rise apartments.
S.I.A. Private Security LLC and 1st Security Services of Ohio will continue providing security services to high-rise apartments run by CMHA. The board approved a $2.9 million contract extension through the end of 2025.
The current contract covers 19 high-rises, according to Andrés González, CMHA’s chief of police. The long-term goal is to expand private security to five to seven additional buildings. A new request for proposal process is underway. CMHA is set to consider more security vendors in 2026, according to González.
Commissioner Robert Davis asked if the security guards were armed. González said the security firm decides whether guards are armed.
