Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), the City of Cleveland, and The Community Builders (TCB) are pleased to announce the financial closing and start of construction for Woodhill Homes, Woodhill Station West, a $46.4 million development representing the first phase of the Buckeye-Woodhill Choice Neighborhoods Implementation in Cleveland, Ohio. Located at 9511 Buckeye Rd., this phase of the Buckeye-Woodhill Transformation Plan will convert an empty lot into 120 quality affordable apartments for families and revitalize the Buckeye-Woodhill community. Marous Brothers Construction is moving equipment onto the site and construction begins the week of July 11.

In 2021, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded a $35 million Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant to CMHA and the City of Cleveland to support the Buckeye-Woodhill Transformation Plan. With the support of more than 200 collaborative and community partners, CMHA, the City of Cleveland and TCB are leading the transformation and revitalization of Woodhill Homes and the surrounding Buckeye-Woodhill community. The Choice Neighborhood Implementation Grant ensures that equitable neighborhood development in Cleveland becomes a reality in a prime southeast Cleveland neighborhood.

Residents, stakeholders, and community leaders applaud the start of construction and neighborhood transformation. Momentum has been building since the groundbreaking of Woodhill Station West in the fall of 2021. The event featured appearances from HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge and Senator Sherrod Brown, along with numerous other local dignitaries and residents.

“My administration is committed to investing in neighborhood revitalization and development of the areas of the city that have traditionally been neglected,” stated Mayor Justin M. Bibb. “Improving the quality of life in our community is one step toward Cleveland becoming a safer, more equitable city for all residents.”

“We are pleased to have officially closed this first phase of the project to begin the revitalization of the Woodhill neighborhood,” said CMHA CEO Jeffery K. Patterson. “This step is monumental in bringing economic growth with new housing, streets, public space, and providing essential resources, programming and support to the families and residents in the neighborhood. We thank our partners, stakeholders and residents for their engagement and support to build a sustainable, thriving community for the individuals and families we serve as well as the surrounding neighborhood.”

Council President and Ward 6 Councilman Blaine Griffin, a Buckeye resident and staunch advocate for neighborhood revitalization, stated, “With construction underway for the first phase, this entire project will transform a neighborhood, a community that had been left behind. The impact on the neighborhood and the residents cannot be denied.” Ward 4 Councilwoman Deborah Gray, commented, “This construction, this development, is why I ran for council. This will greatly improve and impact the residents in the neighborhood, and I am committed to ensuring every neighborhood in Ward 4 sees economic and quality of life investments and improvements.”

Council passed several pieces of legislation in the past few years to help ensure the Woodhill development could move forward.

“Today marks another milestone in the Woodhill Choice Neighborhoods redevelopment as Woodhill Station West breaks ground, paving the way for 120 Cleveland families to move into new quality affordable homes,” said Jeff Beam, regional vice president of The Community Builders. “On behalf of our organization, I extend my deepest thanks and a well-earned congratulations to the many partners and leaders who made this development possible, including CMHA, the City of Cleveland, Council President Blaine Griffin, Councilwoman Deborah Gray, our funders and most especially the residents of Woodhill.”

Project Overview

• Number of Units: Total of 120 apartments: 42 one-bedroom, 62 two-bedroom, and 16 three-bedroom units
• Amount of Community Space: 4,520 square feet
• Income Mix: Total of 120 apartments, 90 for existing Woodhill residents, 18 units for those earning under 60 percent AMI, and 12 for residents earning under 80 percent AMI
• Developers: The Community Builders, Inc. (TCB), in partnership with Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA)
• Financial Participants: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), City of Cleveland HOME funds, Ohio Housing Finance Agency (OHFA), Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH), and Lument
• Total Development Cost: $46.4 million

About CMHA

The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority’s mission is to create safe, quality, affordable housing opportunities and improve the quality of life for the communities we serve. CMHA owns and manages property and administers rent subsidy programs to provide eligible low-income residents and families with safe, sustainable, dynamic communities of choice where everyone can strive for success. Visit www.cmha.net and follow @CuyahogaHousing on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube.

About the City of Cleveland

The City of Cleveland is committed to improving the quality of life for its residents by strengthening neighborhoods, delivering superior services, embracing diversity, and making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to live, work, play, and do business. For more information on the City of Cleveland, visit www.clevelandohio.gov, or follow @CityofCleveland on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

About The Community Builders

The Community Builders’ mission is to build and sustain strong communities where all people can thrive. Our mission-driven businesses work with partners to develop, finance, and operate residential communities, neighborhood amenities and opportunity programs for families, seniors, and adults with disabilities. Since 1964, we have advanced housing equity through award-winning affordable and mixed-income communities and our pioneering Community Life model for resident success. Today, our ownership and management portfolio includes over 14,000 apartment homes. Anchored by offices in Boston, Chicago, Columbus, New York, and Washington D.C., we operate across 15 states.