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Addressing the emerging needs of the community is an integral part of the mission of Neighborhood Development Services (NDS), a 31-year-old nonprofit based in Ravenna, OH, and a member of the NeighborWorks network. One of the more pressing needs is the availability of affordable rental housing for older adults. According to U.S. Census figures, more than a quarter of the adults in Canton, OH, a city near the group’s headquarters, are older than 55 and 30 percent adults across the county are that age.
The supply of apartments that match their budgets is slim, and is not expected to meet emerging demand.
Fortunately, confronting this type of affordable housing challenge aligns perfectly with the mission of NDS. Dave Vaughn, the organization’s executive director, agreed with the group’s board of directors that the nonprofit had to do something to fill the affordable housing gap.
That something is Wellness Village, a 36-unit complex for low-moderate-income adults being built in partnership with JRC, a nonprofit that has served older adults since 1974. The development will consist of 28 apartments and cottage-style homes with garages.
The project is one of several being developed by NeighborWorks organizations across the United States that incorporate health and wellness features within an affordable housing framework for people nearing or in retirement.
NDS is able to finance the construction of Wellness Village with low-income housing tax credits, bank financing and general operating support from NeighborWorks America. As the pre-construction image shows, the property will have places where residents can gather, share experiences, and cultivate their health and wellness.The wellness component will involve an on-site farmers market, nutrition education, cooking classes and other workshops.
Wellness Village represents more than affordable housing with a health component; it is a piece of a larger economic redevelopment effort taking place in the community that supports the broad-based needs of residents throughout the area. For example, Wellness Village is located in the Mahoning Road corridor project, a $56 million effort that features a new medical center and is expected to attract new business, creating jobs for the community.
The supply of apartments that match their budgets is slim, and is not expected to meet emerging demand.
| An artist's rendering of Wellness Village |
Fortunately, confronting this type of affordable housing challenge aligns perfectly with the mission of NDS. Dave Vaughn, the organization’s executive director, agreed with the group’s board of directors that the nonprofit had to do something to fill the affordable housing gap.
That something is Wellness Village, a 36-unit complex for low-moderate-income adults being built in partnership with JRC, a nonprofit that has served older adults since 1974. The development will consist of 28 apartments and cottage-style homes with garages.
The project is one of several being developed by NeighborWorks organizations across the United States that incorporate health and wellness features within an affordable housing framework for people nearing or in retirement.
NDS is able to finance the construction of Wellness Village with low-income housing tax credits, bank financing and general operating support from NeighborWorks America. As the pre-construction image shows, the property will have places where residents can gather, share experiences, and cultivate their health and wellness.The wellness component will involve an on-site farmers market, nutrition education, cooking classes and other workshops.
Wellness Village represents more than affordable housing with a health component; it is a piece of a larger economic redevelopment effort taking place in the community that supports the broad-based needs of residents throughout the area. For example, Wellness Village is located in the Mahoning Road corridor project, a $56 million effort that features a new medical center and is expected to attract new business, creating jobs for the community.
