CMHA’s City West Renovation: What West End Residents Need to Know

The Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) has announced a significant $200 million renovation plan for the City West housing development in the West End. As part of this ambitious project, CMHA will sell 105 units, but assures residents that no one will lose their housing during the process.

The Plan: Sales to Fund a Major Overhaul

CMHA’s decision to sell approximately 10% of the 686-unit complex follows their acquisition of the property last year after the previous owner defaulted on a $4 million loan. Cincinnati Assistant City Manager Billy Weber highlighted the property’s “significant deferred maintenance issues,” with many units currently uninhabitable. The proceeds from the sale are crucial for paying off existing debt and reinvesting into the comprehensive renovation of the remaining units.

Commitment to Residents: No Displacement Promised

Of the 105 units slated for sale, 93 are currently occupied. CMHA CEO Gregory Johnson firmly stated, “Through this process, our number one goal is to make sure your place of where you’re staying is better than where we started.”

City West currently has 85 vacant units undergoing renovation or ready for occupancy. Residents from the buildings being sold will have the opportunity to move into these improved units. While this leaves a potential shortfall of eight units if all 93 households choose to remain, CMHA has pledged to assist residents in finding other affordable housing options within the neighborhood if necessary.

West End Voices: Reactions to the Redevelopment

The news has sparked mixed reactions among City West residents and community leaders. Some see it as a vital opportunity for improvement, while others harbor concerns about potential displacement and disruption.

• Crystal Lane, a resident previously displaced by FC Cincinnati’s TQL Stadium construction, voiced her frustration: “So to be told to move to City West and then now the same thing is happening again is not right.”
• Another resident, Judith, expressed concern for vulnerable groups: “My concern is the seniors, you know, the disabled. They got to pack up, unpack, and repack, and move back. That’s just too much.”
• Conversely, Galen Gordon, president of the West End Community Council, welcomed the changes, seeing “opportunities for development, for jobs, for housing.”
• Resident Shantal Hill remained skeptical of the true impact: “It’s not for the betterment of the community. If it was the betterment of the community, they wouldn’t be forcefully having people move out.”

Project Timeline and Funding

The broader renovation project is scheduled to commence next year, with an anticipated completion date of 2030. CMHA is partnering with developers Gorman & Company and will leverage HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration program, alongside other funding sources. The project will unfold in three phases, with applications for Low Income Housing Tax Credits planned for 2026, 2027, and 2028.

City West itself has a significant history, built in 2000 using $60 million in federal HOPE VI funds. It replaced the Laurel Homes and much of Lincoln Courts public housing complexes, which were constructed in the late 1930s and were among the nation’s earliest contemporary public housing developments.

Key Project Figures at a Glance

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) doing at City West?
  CMHA is undertaking a $200 million renovation of the City West development in the West End and plans to sell 105 units as part of the funding strategy.
• Will current City West residents be displaced?
  CMHA states its primary goal is to ensure no resident loses housing. Occupied units being sold will lead to relocation within City West to currently vacant or renovated units, or assistance in finding other affordable housing in the neighborhood if necessary.
• Why is CMHA selling units at City West?
  The sale aims to pay off existing debt from the previous owner’s default and generate funds to reinvest in the extensive renovations needed due to significant deferred maintenance.
• When will the City West renovation project be completed?
  The project is expected to begin next year and be fully completed by 2030, in three phases.
• What is the history of the City West development?
  Built in 2000 with federal HOPE VI funds, City West replaced the historic Laurel Homes and Lincoln Courts public housing complexes from the late 1930s.

For City West residents and concerned community members, staying informed and engaging with CMHA through official channels will be crucial as this multi-year renovation project unfolds in the heart of the West End.

CMHA Renovates City West Sells Units No Displacement