On Thursday, Oct. 16, officials with nonprofit housing developer CHN Housing Partners were joined by representatives from the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and community organizations at the groundbreaking of Cleveland West Veterans Housing (CWVH)—a $21.6 million residential development exclusively for veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk.

Cleveland West Veterans Housing partners and funders at the groundbreaking.The complex, at 3311 W. 73^rd Street in the Stockyards neighborhood, will have 62 one-bedroom units and have on-site Veterans Administration (VA) supportive services when construction is complete in Fall 2026.

CWVH is designed to serve veterans who have experienced homelessness or are at risk of becoming homeless. The project represents the first Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) housing development in Cuyahoga County that is focused entirely on veterans, says CHN Housing Partners CEO and president Kevin Nowak, who stresses that the project addresses a void on Cleveland's West Side where veteran services have been historically limited.

“When we began contemplating this development, we knew that there was a significant need for supporting our veterans who have experienced homelessness," Nowak says. "[Almost] 500 veterans in Cuyahoga County entered the homelessness system between January 2023 and December 2024."

While CHN Housing Partners has previously included VA services in its developments, VA housing has typically represented only 20% of its total units. So, Nowak says their team consulted with the VA on the project. The LIHTC allots a 9% credit.

Architect's rendering of CHN Housing Partners' Cleveland West Veterans Housing project."We asked them if they thought that having a 100% veterans deal would be appropriate,” he recalls. “And, if we were to do that, where would they want to see it? The VA thought the near west side was the best place for it. There's plenty of coverage on the east side, particularly with the VA hospital [in University Circle]."

The CWVH development will sit on a 1.6-acre plot that has been vacant for decades. "The community has been looking for something on that property,” Nowak explains. “And here we'll be bringing in a really state-of-the-art apartment building that is focused on our veterans."

On-site and community support
The West 73^rd Street site was chosen in part because of its proximity to RTA and a grocery store. Building amenities include a community room, community kitchen, wraparound front porch, outdoor back patio, bicycle storage, and exercise room.

On-site staff members will include a property manager and resident services coordinator, as well as a full-time VA social worker, two full-time VA case managers, a part-time VA occupational therapist, a part-time registered nurse, and one full-time licensed practical nurse.

Additionally, residents will have access to the VA’s Medical Mobile Unit (MMU) with a licensed nurse practitioner, registered nurse and social worker.

"The Veterans Administration will actually have full-time permanent offices within the development itself to help to provide the supportive services that our veterans need," adds Nowak.

The Color Guard at the Cleveland West Veterans Housing groundbreaking.The CWVH building is designed to accommodate veterans with physical disabilities, and will have specialized spaces for behavioral health, mental health, and substance abuse disorder services.

Local veterans provided feedback on what was needed and wanted in the new building, while local community groups, block clubs, Cleveland City Council members, and VA staff also offered input.

“Cleveland West Veterans Housing is a wonderful addition to the neighborhood, and I am proud to have been a part of bringing this development to our community,” said Cleveland City Council Ward 14 member Jasmin Santana at the groundbreaking. “Thanks to CHN Housing Partners, the VA and funders of this development, we can give back to our veterans who have dedicated their lives to serving and protecting us.”

Nowak says the feedback from everyone helped with the design elements.

“In the built environment, we have those design principles in mind to limit barriers to access,” he explains. “In particular, when we think about people who may have a physical disability, or when we think about the services we're delivering from a behavioral and mental health perspective, or from a substance abuse disorder perspective—we've created a space that's both comfortable and engaging.”

The CWVH complex will be enhanced with outdoor landscaping, security, and community spaces. Security features will include interior and exterior cameras, 24-hour front desk security, controlled building access, and a fully fenced gated parking lot.

"Cleveland West Veterans Housing will help veterans rebuild their lives with dignity, providing hope and opportunity," Cuyahoga County Department of Housing and Community Development director Tony Scott said at the groundbreaking. Scott’s department contributed $1 million toward the CWVH project through the Home Investment Partnerships Program (HOME).

Ward 14 Cleveland City Council member Jasmin Santana."We are grateful to CHN Housing Partners for their leadership and proud that Cuyahoga County’s $1 million investment will help create a place where those who served can find comfort and community,” continued Scott.

Philanthropic contributions also came from Home Depot Foundation, construction lending from Citizens Bank, and investment from Enterprise Community Partners.

“Here at CHN, we believe everyone deserves affordable, stable housing and the opportunity to thrive,” says Nowak. “We are grateful to the funders and partners who make this development possible, and we are thrilled to serve the men and women who served our country.”

Power of a permanent address
All residents will use Veterans Administrative Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) vouchers, administered by the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA). The program serves veterans of all ages who have had some level of engagement with the continuum of care system.

The development represents what Nowak calls "the power of a permanent address" for veterans. "This is an opportunity for us to give back to our veterans—[to provide] stable affordable housing that will allow for them, once they have that stable affordable housing, to first receive the supportive services that they deserve,” he says, “and then really kind of stabilize, and then move to thrive."

CHN Housing Partners president and CEO Kevin Nowak and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs supervisor Barb KaramNowak says he expects the veteran resident community to create a supportive environment that leverages their natural leadership skills.

"We oftentimes see [veteran housing developments] perform better than other developments because of the natural leadership and the culture that the veterans [exhibit] help support those buildings," he says. "The veterans come together and support each other as a community within the building—helping them get from where they are to where they want to be."

Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne expressed his excitement about the new housing development, as well as gratitude for the collaborative effort that is bringing the project to fruition.

“Every veteran deserves a safe, stable place to call home,” he said. "Cleveland West Veterans Housing represents exactly what we stand for as a county: investing in people, strengthening communities, and ensuring that no one who served our country is left without a home. We’re proud to partner with CHN Housing Partners to make this vision a reality and to continue our commitment to ending homelessness for veterans in Cuyahoga County.”