CMHA history
CMHA was established on August 10, 1934 by the Ohio General
Assembly. Its purpose was to provide safe, sanitary and decent housing.
On October 12, 1940, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt presided over the grand opening ceremonies for Poindexter
Village, the first CMHA community development. The opening of Poindexter Village in 1940 was followed by Sullivant
Gardens in 1941, Lincoln Park and Riverside Homes in 1942, Windsor Terrace in 1959 and Sunshine Terrace in 1963. In 2007,
CMHA owns manages some 4000 low income housing rental units.
In 1974, the United States Congress passed the Housing and Community Development Act which provided Section 8 Certificates
income families. CMHA began providing Section 8 certificates in 1976. In 2007, CMHA provides rental subsidies for
about 10,000 families in Franklin County, Ohio.
In June 2000, CMHA moved its central office building from 960 E 5th Avenue to a modern, purpose-built facility situated on
1.95 acres at 880 E 11th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43211-2771.
In September 2000, CMHA opened its first suburban public housing community in Canal Winchester. Called The Meadows,
this is a community of ninety-five family units.
In June 2007, CMHA opened the completely rebuilt Jenkins Terrace, a senior citizen building at 1100 E Broad St, Columbus.
The future
The future will be marked by an increase in public-private partnerships in meeting the housing needs of low income
families and individuals. In addition, greater social service program involvement is projected to assist families in
reaching a higher level of economic stability. CMHA will also focus on retrofitting existing housing to meet new housing
demands.
