Emerald Commons
A 52-unit Supportive
Housing Program

Fifty two women and men who had been homeless for years, largely because of disabling conditions, moved into new and fully-furnished efficiency apartments in December 2006 and January 2007. Emerald Commons provides permanent housing with on-site supportive services for homeless adults who have disabling mental disorders, substance-use disorders, or HIV infections. It is located on Madison Avenue in the Detroit-Shoreway area of Cleveland, Ohio.


The Emerald Development and Economic Network, Inc. (EDEN), one of Cleveland's premier non-profit housing development organizations, built the new-construction project with a $1.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Supportive Housing Program.

MHS and the AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland provide supportive services for the residents, many of whom had been homeless for years. In addition to its 52 apartments, there are also large rooms for community activities, and offices for the MHS and AIDS Task Force staff members.

The program's principal goal is to maximize opportunities for residential stability, independence, and quality of life for individuals who have disabilities, and who have been homeless for extended periods of time. The design of the building supports the residents' need for privacy, as well as their need for prompt and reliable access to psychiatric, medical, social, and supportive services.

Each apartment includes a bathroom, kitchen, sleeping/living area, and storage space, all in a compact, single-room layout of approximately 400 square feet. The goal of the unit design is to balance comfort and beauty with ease of cleaning and maintenance. Many residents have had little experience with independent living and/or have severe functional impairments. Many have had unsuccessful experiences living in the community in the past because they have not had the appropriate supportive services on site to assist them in meeting their challenges in a timely manner. In surveys, most homeless persons expressed a preference for a personal living space of limited size that afforded safety and security. The building was designed to provide staff and tenants with optimal engagement and socialization opportunities, through the use of the common spaces. A community meeting room, computer lab, offices for social services, a central mail room, laundry room, and a reception area staffed 24/7 are all designed to provide opportunities for skill enhancement, service planning, and social interactions.

Emerald Commons is located in the Detroit-Shoreway area of Cleveland, Ohio. This area offers residents diverse services, resources, and amenities. Main bus routes are just a block away, the Rapid Transit station is within walking distance, and Community Responsive Transit service for persons with disabilities is available by appointment. Libraries, shopping, churches and synagogues, drug stores and pharmacies, social services, medical facilities, and recreation centers are within a bus or rapid transit ride, or walking distance.

Kathryn Kazol is Executive Director of Emerald Development and Economic Network, Inc. (EDEN), a non-profit housing development corporation. EDEN, MHS, and the AIDS Task Force of Greater Cleveland are collaborative partners in this homeless assistance program.

Russell Spieth is Program Manager for the on-site supportive services at Emerald Commons. Russell had managed operations at another MHS permanent housing program, Kingsway Manor.

Mandy Sharpley provides community psychiatric supportive treatment services for homeless adults who have severe mental disabilities.

Dan Videc is the Employment and Volunteer Coordinator for the Emerald Commons project. He helps clients to master vocational skills, and supports their efforts to obtain employment in the competitive marketplace. Dan has several years' experience providing community psychiatric supportive treatment services for homeless adults who have severe mental disabilities.

Laura DeSantis (not pictured) provides community psychiatric supportive treatment services for residents of Emerald Commons who have severe mental disabilities. Many residents had been homeless and on the streets for years.

To learn about other MHS programs providing coordinated care
for homeless persons with disabilities, click on the links below.

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Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons, Inc. (MHS)
1744 Payne Avenue; Cleveland, Ohio 44114 U.S.A.
216-623-6555 - TTY/TDD: 216-623-6540

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http://www.mhs-inc.org/ec01.asp
It was most recently updated on 5 February 2007.
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