A senior affordable housing development is planned for this city-owned parking lot at the corner of Euclid Heights Boulevard and Lancashire Road in Cleveland Heights. An apartment building stood here until it was demolished in the 1970s. Beyond is a church and another city-owned parking lot that will be part of the development (Google). CLICK IMAGES TO ENLARGE THEM.
Low-income housing tax credits are sought
City officials in Cleveland Heights today announced they have entered into a purchase agreement with National Church Residences (NCR), a Columbus-based non-profit senior housing developer, to acquire two city-owned properties for a planned $22 million, 71-unit, senior affordable-rate apartment building.
The two city-owned parcels bracket the former Universalist Unitarian Church building, 2728 Lancashire Rd. In November, NCR reached a purchase and sale agreement for the 0.65-acre church property for which it would pay $700,000, according to a church press release. Closing of that deal, plus the deal with the city, depends on the developer securing public and private financing which isn’t expected before early 2026.
“A thriving Cleveland Heights means that our city government must continue to pursue opportunities to increase density and diversify housing options for all residents and the various phases of their lives,” said Mayor Kahlil Seren in a written statement.
NCR specializes in housing for individuals whose income is 30 to 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) and that feature universal design principles to improve accessibility for seniors. NCR owns and manages 115 properties in Ohio and 360 senior housing communities across the United States, making them the largest non-profit senior, affordable housing developer in the country.
Outlined in red is the development site for the proposed senior housing complex on Lancashire Road, east of the intersection with Euclid Heights Boulevard. Coventry Road is seeing along the right side of the image (Google).
“We’re excited to be working with National Church Residences to provide Cleveland Heights with new and affordable housing options that serve our growing community of seniors,” said Cleveland Heights Assistant Director of Economic Development Brian Anderson.
In the agreement, NCR will purchase the two parking lots that total a little more than 1 acre of land for $500,000 and build a four-story apartment with an elevator and amenities including a fitness center, outdoor gathering spaces, an on-staff social services coordinator, and common areas.
The city agreed to credit $306,000 of the purchase fee for NCR to construct 22 publicly accessible and permit-only off-street parking spaces and 28 angle-in parking spaces for public and permit use at the site. The development is planned across Lancashire from the 13-story Musician’s Tower, also a senior housing property.
With this and the Nobility Court development scheduled for construction in 2025 on Noble Road, the city will increase the supply of affordable senior housing in two neighborhoods that are walkable and transit-accessible while reusing vacant properties.
The 8,000-square-foot First Unitarian Church of Cleveland was built in 1951 is due to be demolished for a four-story senior housing development along Lancashire Road. The developer secured a purchase agreement for the 0.65-acre church property last fall and has now secured a deal for the city-owned parking lots on both sides of the church (Google).
“Senior housing options, in particular, have been lacking in Cleveland Heights,” Seren said. “The two developments at strategic locations across our city will mean that more residents can stay in their community as they age.”
“The city has led a number of high-end market rate developments in last few years,” Anderson added. “This is a city-participated project supporting affordability, building denser neighborhoods and offering new housing choice across the spectrum of price points. Plus, this is a location close to Coventry Road. It has shops, a grocery store, transit and the library in proximity.”
NCR introduced the development to Cleveland Heights at a community meeting held on Nov. 14, 2024 at the Coventry Library. More than 30 people attended, many of whom expressed interest in the future property.
Next steps include NCR applying to the Ohio Housing Finance Agency for Low Income Housing Tax Credits, scheduling a second public meeting to gather input, and NCR developing plans for the city’s Planning Board, Board of Zoning Appeals, and Architectural Board of Review.
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