In 2023, Community Housing Network remained steadfast in our mission to support the most vulnerable members of our community.
Over the past few years, our region has witnessed a concerning rise in homelessness and housing insecurity. According to the Affordable Housing Alliance of Central Ohio, the region urgently needs an additional 52,700 units of affordable housing to meet growing demand. Addressing this deficit is vital and requires a significant increase in affordable housing opportunities in our community.
That’s why we continue to focus on developing and managing affordable Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) for individuals who have experienced homelessness, mental illness, substance use disorder and other trauma-related issues. Our approach not only provides a stable living environment, but also integrates essential supportive services people need to recover from illness or addiction, learn vocational skills, gain income, reconnect with family, and enjoy productive, purposeful lives. This holistic support helps individuals regain stability and contributes significantly to their long-term well-being.
Despite the challenges in Franklin County, it is encouraging to note that 99% of CHN residents have successfully maintained their housing, with an average stay of 5 years. This demonstrates the effectiveness of our programs and the critical need for continued support and expansion.
We invite you to join us in our ongoing fight to tackle homelessness and restore stability to our communities. Together, we can make a substantial difference in the lives of those who need it most.
Sincerely, Samantha Shuler CEO
Creating Stability & Building Hope
Property Highlight:
Poplar Fen Place
Construction on our newest development Poplar Fen Place began in September 2023. Upon completion, the project will provide 44 units of permanent supportive housing to seniors who are experiencing homelessness, mental illness, addiction, and other trauma-related issues. Many seniors are housing cost-burdened as a result of low incomes. According to the Community Shelter Board, there are 300 individuals over the age of 55 living in shelters or on the streets in Columbus. Poplar Fen Place will help Columbus and Franklin County address the rise in elderly homelessness that is evident both locally and nationally.
Located next to Marsh Brook Place, our property for transition-aged youth (ages 18-24)
Senior friendly site design includes: covered entry to parking drop-off, additional parking for home health aides and family visitors, outdoor seating area to encourage physical activity and socialization, storage for carts and walkers, integrated emergency call/intercom systems, therapeutic fitness centers that can accommodate physical and occupational therapy equipment, roll in showers in all units, 100% handicap adaptable units
•423 children served
•2,233 individuals served
•1,475 units of PSH in 28 different zip codes county-wide
•99% of residents successfully maintain housing
• The average length of stay for a CHN resident is 5 years
• CHN is home to more than 50 pets
• 100% of CHN’s residents have a disability
Community Housing Network was named as one of Columbus CEO’s Top Workplaces of 2023
CHN was honored for earning outstanding feedback on employee surveys conducted by an outside organization. The surveys polled employees on topics like work environment, employee engagement, and company culture.
CHN ranked as a top agency compared to almost 100 other nonprofit and social service agencies.
When staff were asked what they liked most about working for CHN, the most common answers were the mission and each other.
Did you know that CHN...
• Employed 115 staff in 2023
• Increases staff by 5-10% with each new building
• Creates approximately 25 construction jobs with each new development
• Works with six service par tners in the community to carry for th our mission: Concord Counseling Services, Huckleberry House, Integrated Services for Behavioral Health, National Church Residences, Southeast Healthcare, and YMCA of Central Ohio
Anyone who has never experienced homelessness can’t really grasp what that experience is like or understand the shame that comes with people looking down on you because of your situation.
– John, Touchstone Field Place resident
Scan the QR code to view our website news section
Joey
Joey’s security was stripped away when his mom died. At just 22 years old, he lost the most important person in his life and his best friend. His mental health declined, and he found himself without a job, forcing him to lose his home and his beloved cats. As he tried to navigate the hardship of severe depression and grief in tandem, Joey ultimately found himself in a shelter. From there, he was connected to Community Housing Network and finally had stable, permanent supportive housing. But that was only step one, and Joey still needed help.
“The depression just got so so bad, and I couldn’t stay on meds,” Joey said. “There’s been the loss, the grief, it’s been a lot all at once, so I’ve been struggling with all of that on top of my mental health.”
Joey continued to struggle with depression and ultimately began hoarding trash. The hoarding became so severe that trash was piled feet high, and you couldn’t see the floor of his bedroom. When a maintenance person reported this to CHN, Joey’s property manager sent Supportive Housing Coordinator, Monica, to his apartment. Monica sprang into action to ensure he didn’t lose another home. Monica and Joey worked together to deep clean his apartment and establish a daily cleaning schedule to keep him on track. Joey lives at an independent building where supportive housing coordinators typically visit residents once a month unless more frequent visits are needed. Monica visits Joey every week to provide emotional support and keep him motivated to keep going.
Monica’s dedication embodies the exact mission of CHN and what permanent supportive housing can accomplish. Joey not only has stable housing, but he also has the support he needs to thrive. Today, he is receiving the mental health support he needs, he takes pride in his home, and he’s working towards getting a cat again. And Monica is there to support him every step of the way. To watch Joey’s story on 10tv, scan the QR code
2023 Board of Directors
JV Wulf
Board Chair
Executive Chairman, Spectra Medical Devices, LLC
Sanleda Morgan
Board Vice Chair
Quality Consultant, Center for Clinical Excellence at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
Steve Ginnan
Board Treasurer
Senior Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Nationwide Financial
Lisa Whittaker
Board Secretary
Director & Managing Counsel, Employment & Labor Law, The J. M. Smucker Company
Paul W. Bloomfield
Executive Vice President/Partner, Kohr Royer Griffith, Inc.
Alex Crabtree
Director of Information Systems, Sur-Seal
Dushka Crane, PhD Director of Behavioral Health, Ohio Colleges of Medicine Government Resource Center Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center
Matthew Glover Vice President of Community Development Banking, PNC Bank
Brandon Guisinger
Behavioral Support Specialist, Cedar Ridge Behavioral Healthcare Solutions
Linda S. Janes Chief Operating Officer, Alvis, Inc.
Jo’el Y. Jones
Vice President CRA Officer, Civista Bank
Connie Luck
Principal, ConVista Public Affairs
2023 Donors
CORPORATE & FOUNDATION
PARTNERS ($30,000+)
Anonymous via The Columbus Foundation
Huntington Bank
Lois S. and H. Roy Chope Fund of The Columbus Foundation
Martha G. Staub Fund of The Columbus Foundation
Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing
State Auto Insurance Companies
LEADERS
($10,000 - $29,999)
Central Ohio Primary Care Physicians Foundation
First Merchants Bank
The Harry C. Moores Foundation
Moritz Family Foundation
Park National Bank
Robert Steensen
Vorys, Sater, Seymour and Pease LLP
CHAMPIONS
($5,000 - $9,999)
Anne Longo Memorial Fund
Anonymous via The Columbus Foundation
Aryes Staffing
Gift of Kindness Fund of The Columbus Foundation
Kohr Royer Griffith, Inc.
JV Wulf
AMBASSADORS
($2,500 - $4,999)
Anonymous Board Member
Civista Bank
The Grasscutters LLC
Irvin Public Relations
Chris and Amy Swank
SUSTAINERS
($1,000 - $2,499)
Action Pest Control, Inc.
Ann and Robert Oakley Family Fund
BeecherHill Search
Carlile Patchen & Murphy, LLP
Alex Crabtree
Eben Kent
Phil Pennino
Samantha Shuler
Stacey Sickles
Stock Development Company, LLC
Lisa Whittaker
PROVIDERS
($500 - $999)
Chris Fackler
Todd and Marsha Fentress
Steve Ginnan
Grand Design Group, Inc.
Helms Contracting
Linda Janes
Sanleda Morgan
Mary Price
Arlene Reitter
Judy and Herb Weisberg
ADVOCATES
($250 - $499)
Mark Abel
Abram Contractors
Katie Aiken
James Benson
Janet and Anson Berry
Gary's Electric Service
The Galiardi Family
Ken and Mary Lou Guillory
James Hunter III
Stephanie Interliggi
Matthew Jaeger
Kroger Community Rewards
Cathy Levine
Marek Mutch
Timothy Obarski
Sands Decker
Ronda Shamansky
David Speth
Brian and Cathy Swauger
FRIENDS
($100-250)
Besa
Paul Bloomfield
Suzie Borowski
Stephen and Vicki Buchenroth
Brittney Colvin
Dushka A. Crane
Patricia Cunningham
James and Jody Flynn
Howard Fradkin Ph.D.
Rebecca Fueger
Brandon Guisinger
Jan Hauenstein and Rich Tawney
Richard and Nancy Hobe
Linda Jakes
Frances and Bozidar Janakievski
Carleigh LaFrance
WB Lyons and Anne Carey
Dr. William R. Mitchell
Julie Nishimura
Peterson's Lawn Care and Landscape Maintenance
Lindsay Radkoski
Gay Schueller
Robert Stanton
Rick Tully
SUPPORTERS
(up to $99)
Amazon Smile
Anonymous via Facebook
Larry and Marianne Anderson
John and Sondra Downs
Virginia Fahys
GM Giving
Kathy Hatfield Grant Solutions & Consultation
Jace and Megan Hunter Family
Lori Keefer
Karen A. Kirk
Elizabeth Long
Brandon Pennock
Justin Russell
Rob Vogt
*Our apologies if we have omitted your name, as we are grateful for your generosity and commitment to CHN.
