A Foundation For Flourishing
THE HOMES AT HOPE COMMONS
At Building Hope in the City, we believe housing is more than a place to live. It is the foundation on which individuals, families, and entire neighborhoods can flourish. This summer, we celebrated the completion of our latest below-market-rate housing initiative: The Homes at Hope Commons. Tenants have now moved into these 14 brand-new homes on West 56th Street in Cleveland’s Clark-Fulton and Stockyards (CFSY) community! What began in prayer and vision has been fulfilled through faith in Jesus, perseverance, and the incredible support of our partners.
Ward 14 Cleveland City Councilwoman Jasmin Santana shares, “Housing is essential. A lot of our families in Ward 14 are making ends meet. If you have some affordable and healthy housing for them, they’re able to buy food and raise their family.”
The work of BHITC does not end once the keys are handed over. Through our Hope Lives Resident Success Initiative, families receive ongoing coaching, practical resources, and care designed to promote long-term stability and growth. This network includes churches, employers, and nonprofit partners. Together, we are pairing safe homes with relationships that foster lasting transformation.
Celeste Mehalko and Val Morgan are among the first residents to move into our new homes and have quickly found connection and confidence. Both were referred through Women of Hope, a Cleveland nonprofit that helps women transitioning from incarceration, domestic violence, or veteran homelessness find a path toward renewal. “I give all the glory to God. I would never have made it here on my own had not Women of Hope referred me to this program,” Val reflects. “I’ve met great people and great neighbors. Building Hope has been there every step of the way. They even helped me get furniture and other essentials when I got here.”
Celeste shared how she looks forward to hosting her grandkids for sleepovers and making Christmas cookies with them. “I never had such a nice apartment in my life. With the support Building Hope gives me, I can hold my head up high. I feel confident about myself,” Celeste shares. “I’m so happy that God gave me the opportunity to come and meet this community and start my life over.”
BHITC also recognizes that stability can be fragile. Residents may face unexpected challenges such as a car repair, medical expenses, or other short-term emergencies that can threaten their progress. To address this, we have partnered with Community West Foundation to create the Good Neighbors Fund. “We started the Good Neighbors Fund to cover unexpected financial gaps that might have caused someone to be unable to pay their rent,” Marty Uhle, President and CEO of Community West Foundation shares. “We deeply care about the stability BHITC is bringing to 14 families who will live at Hope Commons. A stable home is the building block on which real change can occur for those living on the margin and allow them to make real progress forward.”
You can be part of this next chapter of hope in CFSY. Plans are already underway for the next 14 units, Hope Commons Phase II, continuing below-market-rate housing and holistic support for Cleveland families! We trust in God’s guidance for all we do, remembering Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.”
