Greater Cleveland has received hundreds of million of dollars in pandemic aid in recent years. A lot of that money has been put toward keeping people housed and creating more affordable housing for the future.
Cleveland and Cuyahoga County residents have benefited from more than $170 million for rental and mortgage assistance. Some of that money came through the state and some went directly to local governments, which distributed it through nonprofits.
Here’s a breakdown of how much of the pandemic aid was spent – and how officials plan to spend the rest in the coming years. In some cases, projects are paid for or financed with a mix of federal, state and local money.
$135 million
CHN Housing Partners and Step Forward were the two main nonprofits to distribute this money, which provided rental and mortgage assistance to a total of more than 38,000 households.
$119 million
Cleveland is putting a little less than a quarter of its $512 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) money toward housing. This includes developing affordable housing for seniors and helping them repair their homes so they can remain in them. It also includes money to repair homes with lead hazards so they are safe for children and money to provide people facing eviction with an attorney.
Explore what housing projects Cleveland has spent ARPA money on below. To see all Cleveland’s ARPA spending visit Signal Cleveland’s ARPA tracker.
$17.7 million
Cleveland received this additional federal money in 2021 specifically for housing-related projects. The money is mainly going towards filling gaps in financing to develop affordable housing and to provide shelter for people experiencing homelessness or who may end up homeless.
$16.5 million
Cleveland has pending legislation to contract with the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority to distribute additional rental assistance.
$7.5 million
Cuyahoga County is using some of its additional rental assistance money to help finance portions of nine projects that will provide affordable housing for seniors, women and children, people experiencing homelessness, and apartments linked to public transit.
$7.9 million
Cuyahoga County is putting federal housing aid money toward renovating the Norma Herr Center, including private spaces for people staying temporarily as they transition to more stable housing.
$3 million
Cuyahoga County Council approved $3 million to help finance nearly 270 affordable housing units in Cleveland and East Cleveland.
Noted by Documenters
2021: Cleveland received an additional $16.5 million in federal money for rent assistance and to prevent homelessness, Documenter Ashley Nickels noted.
2022: Cleveland City Council discussed housing as a priority for pandemic aid spending at a caucus meeting covered by Documenters Kellie Morris and Alicia Moreland.
2023: With pandemic rental assistance expiring, Documenter Colin Cunningham captured the concerns the safety net evaporating.