TOLEDO, Ohio — Unison Health is steadily renovating a 100-year-old building in west Toledo to establish permanent supportive housing and reduce chronic homelessness.
The state of Ohio granted the nonprofit $300,000 to help fund the Whitney Manor project at 1868 N. Cove Blvd., which Unison Health President and CEO Jeff Delay helps it continue to move along.
"It makes a difference. We're going put a dent in the homeless problem in our community," Delay said.
When construction is finished, Whitney Manor will house 20 individuals or couples in separate apartments. There will also be space for patients' treatments of mental health, substance abuse and workforce training.
Delay said the best part of the project is that it puts housing first.
"That formula has been extremely successful since we've been doing this project with over a 95% success rate, which means that people that enter our program have a 95% chance of being in stable, supported housing after 12 months," he said.
Delay said he's grateful for the state support from both sides of the aisle, too. State Sens. Paula Hicks-Hudson (D-Toledo) and Theresa Gavarone (R-Bowling Green), and state Reps. Michele Grim (D-Toledo) and Haraz N. Ghanbari (R-Perrysburg) all agree funding the project benefits northwest Ohio.
"Decrease rates of homelessness recidivism and really helps people live independently and kind of get back on their feet," Grim said. "I think it's a really important project for Toledo and I think we're going to see a lot of success with that."
Ghanbari added that the project will have a long-term impact.
"There's also a jobs component of this as well. This was an opportunity to transform a building that needed a substantial amount of rehabilitation, some tender love and care, if you will, to make a generational impact for folks that are living in northwest Ohio that are down on hard times," he said.
Delay said he's proud of the state support since this project is desperately needed.
"It hasn't even hit the cold months yet, but we probably have a shortage of 500-600 beds for individuals who are homeless," he said. "It's projects like this. Is it going to solve the problem? No. But it is a start and it does show."
Unison Health is aiming to open Whitney Manor in the fall of 2025.