LMH Highlights from 2020 and Annual Report

As Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH) wrapped up its annual report for 2020, the scope of its accomplishments became even more apparent.

Here are some of the highlights:

Choice Neighborhoods Initiative

LMH received the Choice Neighborhood Initiative (CNI) Planning Grant award. The CNI program helps local communities achieve program goals by providing two types of grants: planning grants and implementation grants. In 2020, LMH applied for and received a CNI Planning Grant for $450,000 to transform the McClinton Nunn-Junction Neighborhood. Along with its partners, LMH was able to leverage an additional $315,000 for a total CNI Planning project of $765,000.  

The CNI program seeks to transform distressed neighborhoods into neighborhoods of choice. By creating neighborhoods of choice, the persons living in poverty will have access to the same level of services and opportunities available to others. This will create an environment of economic opportunity in which all persons will be afforded the means to lead healthy, productive lives.  

LMH will submit its CNI plan in 2022 and will later apply for a CNI Implementation Grant in which it will be eligible to receive up to $35 million.

Ohio Auditor of State Award LMH was awarded the Auditor of State Award. The Auditor of State's office audits nearly 5,900 entities and fewer than 8% are even eligible for the award. The award is presented to local government and school districts, upon completion of a financial audit, that meet the criteria of a "clean" audit report.

Collingwood Green Master Plan

To be built out over five phases in what has come to be known as Collingwood Green, the Collingwood Green Master Plan is enthusiastically endorsed by community stakeholders. In 2012, HUD granted a Section 18 Demo/Disposition approval for the entire Brand Whitlock and Albertus Brown Homes sites, which were quickly demolished and prepared for redevelopment. The site is re-envisioned as a vibrant, new construction, mixed-income community centered on a new 20-acre site.

The initial three phases of Collingwood Green are now complete and provide 188 units of affordable housing within a mixed-income context:

• Collingwood Green Phase I is a 65-unit mid-rise, mixed-income building targeted to the elderly, with a total development cost in excess of $12 million.
• Collingwood Green Phase II is a 68-unit mixed-income townhouse development targeted to families. The total development costs for Phase II exceed $15 million.
• Collingwood Green Phase III is a 55-unit mixed-income townhouse development targeted to families. LMH utilized RAD transfer of assistance to develop 28 of the 55 units. The total development costs of Phase III exceed $19 million. Phase III is certified LEED - Gold.

Planned Phases

Collingwood Green Phase IV will build upon the successful Collingwood Green Phase I,

II, and III projects. Phase IV is a continuation of the family townhouse design. This 40-unit project completes the townhouse portion of the development and adds community green space and a community building to support the activities in the neighborhood. The projected total development cost for this phase is $18 million.

Collingwood Green Phase V completes the planned Five Phases for Collingwood Green Master Plan. Phase V will be a 75-unit mixed-use, mid-rise building with commercial space located on the first floor and will bookend the 20-acre site with a mid-rise building serving the elderly. The projected total development cost is $17 million.

City of Toledo The City of Toledo and Lucas Metropolitan Housing enjoy a tremendous partnership. We partner on many initiatives from housing development to resident self-sufficiency. LMH's partnerships with the City of Toledo touch on nearly every aspect of an individual's quality of life. They include:

• Elimination of lead-based paint in housing
• Developing housing for Home Ownership and providing down payment      assistance
• Developing and renovating multi-family, mixed-income, mixed-use housing for individuals, families, and special populations
• Choice Neighborhoods Initiative Grant that will design a transformation plan for the Junction Neighborhood and McClinton Nunn Homes Housing Development
• Efforts towards resident self-sufficiency through rental assistance programs and support services

TPS Partnership TPS partnered with LMH to provide free Wi-Fi at family sites (Weiler Homes, Port Lawrence, McClinton Nunn, Pulley Homes, Northern Heights, Birmingham Terrace, Ravine Park, Elmdale/Mercer, John Holland, and Oak Grove) by providing multiple

Wi-Fi-enabled buses.

The partnership provided Wi-Fi access to 802 households and approximately 1,794 children aged three to 18. This access allowed for education to take place directly from their own homes via smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Culture of Excellence Committee

LMH created the Culture of Excellence Committee (COE) which enhances communication and engagement of staff at all levels. The committee strives to ensure that staff has an opportunity to openly express their opinions, share ideas and suggestions, and simply have their voice be heard. The major focus for the committee is to share with leadership within an environment of communication and interaction that guarantees the inclusion of opinions, consideration of ideas and appreciation for the employee's efforts.  These are key elements to improve the overall engagement, boost morale and most importantly, improve the workplace culture so we are better equipped to effectively serve our residents and the community.

#SenseofCompassion/#HumanFaceofLMH Initiative To recognize the hard work and dedication of our staff and to solidify our engagement with the people we proudly serve, Lucas Metropolitan Housing launched a campaign named #SENSEOFCOMPASSION. It's an initiative that allows the Agency to showcase its employees to highlight in their own words how they serve with a sense of compassion, #ONEDAYATATIME. LMH strives to provide excellent customer service, to create and maintain sustainable, affordable housing opportunities, provide pathways to a better quality of life and empower vibrant communities.

In a year marked by a pandemic, LMH safely made 13,759 contacts with residents, coordinated 1,329 special services, and mentored 460 kids. It worked directly with its community partners, law enforcement entities and governmental officials to identify strategies to improve public safety, not only at LMH sites, but for the community at large.

"These are just a few of the many accomplishments achieved by the dedicate LMH staff and our partners," stated Joaquin Cintron Vega, LMH President and CEO. "We encourage the community to view our annual report at: https://www.lucasmha.org/upages.php?id=123

About Lucas Metropolitan Housing

Established in 1933, Lucas Metropolitan Housing (LMH) continues to provide affordable housing to adults, seniors and children in its Public Housing, Housing Choice Voucher, Mixed-Income and Market Rate housing units. LMH also provides a myriad of programs and opportunities designed to improve the total quality of life for our residents, with the ultimate goal of achieving self-sufficiency. The programs and services are the results of successful collaborations with numerous community partners.

Our current housing portfolio consists of 2,633 Public Housing units; 4,657 Housing Choice Vouchers; 322 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units; 198 Market Rate units and 107 Homeownership Properties. There are approximately 17,500 people who reside in LMH properties. Lucas Metropolitan Housing partners with ALL people and organizations willing to exchange ideas and efforts to enhance Toledo, Lucas County and the world.