Tag: public policy

Categories
Business Development News

Jimmy Heath House to start welcoming new residents to Over-the-Rhine today

These days, development news in Over-the-Rhine is seemingly ubiquitous. The historic neighborhood is growing at a rapid rate and with new businesses constantly opening; new residents are flowing in. However, starting today another group will be calling the neighborhood home.

On Friday, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing (OTRCH) hosted a ribbon cutting for the Jimmy Heath House (map). The new permanent supportive housing development transformed 14,300 square feet of space in six historic buildings. The housing development includes 25 apartments for the chronically homeless, offices for case managers, as well as public meeting spaces to accommodate the social service needs of its residents.

OTRCH officials say that the development, named after homeless advocate and former Streetvibes editor Jimmy Heath, is based on the housing first principle; a concept that clinical and social stabilization is more affective when homelessness is eliminated.

“Housing First is a nationally recognized evidence-based best practice. Many cities and counties around the country already have Housing First programs in place or plans to initiate one,” Mary Burke Rivers, OTRCH Director, said in a press release. “The positive outcomes from the model are astonishing, and we are proud of our partners who have joined us in this progress.”

The benefits, of these new housing developments, extend beyond their social benefits. Studies show that significant economic gains can be had as well by reducing the cost often associated with homeless individuals. On average, studies indicate that it costs between $35,000 and $150,000 annually to support a homeless individual, while housing communities such as the Jimmy Heath House lower that average to just over $16,000 annually.

“People who are chronically homeless make up 34 percent of the homeless population and spend years cycling between the streets, shelters, jail cells, and emergency rooms,” Rivers said.

Residents of the complex are scheduled to start moving in as early as today.

“We’re looking forward to the possibilities for our residents: being able to connect with family members for the first time in years, going to a clinic instead of the emergency room, not drinking just to numb the bitter cold,” said Andy Hutzel, director of housing services for OTRCH. “We have one tenant, Paul, who will be able to get off of crutches after nine years because he can finally rehabilitate an injury following his fall from a roof – an impossibility while he was living under the 6th Street viaduct.”

Categories
Development News Transportation

Cincinnati to examine bus rapid transit as part of expanding transit network

As Cincinnati moves forward with the development of the Midwest’s first modern streetcar system, a political leader is pushing for even greater transit improvements that would compliment an increasingly diverse collection of alternative forms of transport.

Cincinnati Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls is proposing a robust network of bus rapid transit (BRT) that would connect the region’s commuters with major employment centers like Uptown and Downtown. Qualls believes BRT is a cost-effective and innovative transit strategy.

“Bus rapid transit incorporates many of the advantages of light rail, but is cheaper and can be implemented quickly,” Qualls said in a prepared statement. “Cities around the world and the country are giving commuters a great transit option now with rapid transit.”

Many cities around the United States and internationally are beginning to look at BRT more closely as a cheaper alternative to building dedicated rail transit systems. After first being popularized in Bogotá, Columbia, bus rapid transit now exists in 33 cities throughout the world with an additional 22 systems planned.

What differentiates BRT routes from other bus routes is the dedicated lanes they use. These dedicated corridors are often complimented by signal prioritization and timing that allows for faster travel times over long distances.

“Cities are looking to rapid transit to meet increased commuter demand and to spur development,” Qualls stated. “Because the conversion to rapid transit is faster and cheaper than developing light rail, it is an important interim step that helps build transit ridership and provides a great service in the near term.”

While some transit experts agree that BRT can serve as an integral part of an overall transit system, others believe that BRT can be compromised when pitched as an inexpensive alternative to light rail.

“If you look at Oakland, who was studying BRT, they’ve been working on the project for a long time and recently had the City of Berkeley decline to even study dedicated lanes even though that was the plan all along,” explained Jeff Wood, Chief Cartographer, Reconnecting America.  “They felt like they could do it cheaper than light rail, but now they aren’t even going to get any of the benefits of bus rapid transit.”

As part of Vice Mayor Qualls’ motion, BRT would be a portion of a larger multi-modal transit plan that would include the streetcar and light rail according to Cincinnati’s existing rail plan. Major corridors would include I-75, I-71, Queen City Avenue, Harrison Avenue, Vine Street, Reading Road, Madison Road, and Martin Luther King Drive. Qualls suggested the city aggressively pursue state and federal funds to pay for the development of bus rapid transit.

Those interested in learning more about bus rapid transit have the opportunity to meet with BRT expert Jack Gonsalves at the OKI Regional Council of Governments Board Room (map) on Monday, December 6 at 1pm.  Gonsalves will be joined by a variety of local leaders to discuss BRT and how it might be developed in Cincinnati.

Categories
Business Development News

Future looks bright for 152 residents at Cincinnati’s historic Anna Louise Inn

Anna Louise Inn

Cincinnati Union Bethel recently announced an award of tax credits for a $12.4 million renovation of the Anna Louise Inn (map) in downtown Cincinnati. The Inn, whose role is to provide affordable housing for women, secured the top ranking in a competitive Permanent Supportive Housing category from the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.

Since 1994, the Inn has provided traditional housing for homeless families and children, and since 2006 they have provided housing and services for women in recovery from prostitution. Half of those living in the Inn have resided there for over a year, some for up to 30 years.

After the renovation is complete, the residential capacity will be lower; however, the new units will be larger and equipped with private bathrooms and kitchens. Officials emphasize that the general mission of the Inn will not change, although there will be an increased focus on permanent supportive housing.

“There will be a slight decrease in the number of units due to the upgrades, but our goal is to preserve the safe and affordable housing needed for women today,” project manager Mary Carol Melton explained to UrbanCincy in August 2010.  “We’re going to work with residents during the renovation to make this as least disruptive as possible, and we are currently looking at a phased renovation process to be able to do just that.”

Staff says that it is the hope that the creation of a more permanent and supportive environment will help the residents become more stable long-term.

“These more stable and long-term residents will have an opportunity to live in housing that will provide them with the dignity they deserve,” said Steve MacConnel, CEO of Cincinnati Union Bethel. “Additionally, this fits in with the city’s Homeless to Homes plan…it is just one more piece of a city-wide plan to provide more supportive housing.”

Construction for the renovation is scheduled to last from summer 2011 to fall 2012, and the development team will consist of Over-the-Rhine Community Housing along with Cincinnati Union Bethel. When completed, the historic Inn will have a 152-person capacity.

Categories
Business Development News Politics

Senate bill would offer tax credit to residential landlords making energy upgrades

State Senator Eric Kearney (D-Avondale) introduced a bill which would create a tax credit for landlords who improve the energy efficiency of their buildings. Senator Kearney hopes that the bill he introduced last month will encourage residential landlords to update their units and lessen the utility costs on their tenants.

“I received complaints from constituents who live in apartments that lack general upkeep and every month they pay for the lack of maintenance” Senator Kearney stated. “My constituents in rental units deserve to live in safe, eco-friendly environments that decrease their utility bills, and Senate Bill 310 provides landlords with positive incentive to make changes.”

If implemented, the bill would give residential landlords a 15 percent income tax credit for making upgrades by installing energy-saving devices, replacing aging appliances with Energy Star-rated appliances, sealing and insulating air ducts, and upgrading exterior wall windows and doors.

Improved sealing and insulation of duct work has been reported as saving as much as 20 percent in energy costs alone.  Senator Kearney says that the idea of making these efficiency upgrades is one that benefits everybody, and one that is particularly relevant in today’s economy.

“Energy costs are rising and given the unfortunate state of our economy few people can afford increased utility bills, especially if they are related to a lack of maintenance.”

The proposed legislation does more than simply promote energy upgrades, it also incentivizes upgrades to historic structures which most often house renters in multi-unit dwellings within the city’s inner neighborhoods.  The news comes on the heels of complimentary legislation introduced by Senator Kearney in September that proposed a 25 percent tax credit for the renovation of homes built before 1950 in low income neighborhoods.

“Both the property and the greater community benefit from home renovations. When homeowners invest in their properties the monetary value of the neighborhood increases along with its reputation.”

Categories
Development News Transportation

Public gets first chance to see modern streetcars in Cincinnati

This past week Cincinnatians were given a chance to tour a modern streetcar similar to those that will operate here beginning in 2013. The particular streetcar on display was manufactured by United Streetcar in Clackamas, OR and has been in testing on Portland’s streetcar tracks since it was built in 2009.

The streetcar is a near clone of the Czech-built Skoda streetcars that have been in operation there since 2001. After a tour of other cities considering streetcar systems, it will return to Portland and enter revenue service there next year. United Streetcar is currently building six new streetcars for Portland’s system expansion and seven streetcars for a new system in Tuscon, Arizona.

The streetcar displayed in Cincinnati can be viewed in action on Portland’s tracks on United Streetcar’s website, or by visiting it in person at 5th and Race streets (map) until Wednesday, November 10.  Below is a video from the first day this modern streetcar was on display in Cincinnati.  Mayor Mallory, business leaders, residents, and visitors gathered to get a look at the vehicle that will soon be running on Cincinnati’s streets.