Committee refers amendment to expand Students of Promise transitional housing in Cleveland Heights to full council

Cuyahoga County’s Education Environment Sustainability Committee voted to refer an amendment to Resolution 20250274 to the full council for second reading on Oct. 22, 2024. The amendment would authorize up to $250,000 from the District 8 ARPA Community Grant Fund to support relocating the Students of Promise Prentice Place transitional living project to a convent-style building in Cleveland Heights.

The committee discussion centered on the project’s change of address, zoning approvals and the project’s budget and revenue plan. Presenter Bob Ivey (Students of Promise) said the new facility at 2423 North Taylor Road in Cleveland Heights would provide housing for up to 15 mothers, with a maximum capacity of 30 individuals. Ivey described typical stays of about three to six months and said the program will include case management, educational support, job readiness training, on-site child learning services and parenting classes.

Trevor Mackler, county council staff, told the committee the amendment modifies a previously passed award because the project’s address changed after council’s initial action. Committee members pressed Ivey about whether zoning and conditional-use permits had been secured for the new location; Ivey said he obtained the required conditional-use permits and that the local zoning commission awarded them unanimously.

Ivey outlined additional non-county funding the project has secured since the committee last considered the proposal: $100,000 from the City of Cleveland Heights, roughly $45,000 in a state-supported allocation for interior work, a $10,000 award from the Huron Foundation for early childhood learning, $7,500 from the United Black Fund for operations and a $5,000 contribution from PNC Bank for financial literacy programming. He also said local organizations and businesses have pledged in-kind donations and tutoring services.

Committee members asked about cost differences between the original rectory site and the new convent. Ivey said the convent is larger (about 9,000 square feet versus approximately 5,800 for the rectory), in better condition and offers cost savings on certain renovations; he also said he now has a lease for the convent, described in the meeting as a 5-year lease with a 5-year option. Ivey said some renovation costs—sprinkler systems, egress windows and ADA ramps—remain similar across sites.

Members also sought the project’s long-term funding plan. Ivey said the project will rely on continued grant writing, revenue from licensed child-care operations (a licensed day care for up to 24 children was described as a revenue source), and potential bed-for-fee overflow arrangements with homeless shelters. He said he had discussed options with a HUD contact (referred to in the meeting as Director Patterson) and expects a mix of earned revenue and philanthropic grants to sustain operations beyond one-time ARPA dollars.

Committee members praised the program’s alignment with Students of Promise’s school-based mentoring work and its potential to stabilize families and keep students enrolled. After discussion, a committee member moved to refer the amended resolution to the full council for second reading; another member seconded the motion and the committee voted in favor.

The committee record shows no additional county dollars were being requested beyond the amendment; presenters said the amendment was intended to authorize the previously approved award for the project at its new address, not to increase the award amount.

The referral means the amended resolution will return to the full county council for further consideration and a formal vote.