In 2003, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) acquired the largest portfolio of scattered site project-based Section 8 rental housing in the nation. With 250 buildings across seven inner-city Columbus neighborhoods, these units had historically struggled with poor maintenance, high crime, and residents living in severe poverty with limited social and financial resources. OCCH became involved with this portfolio at the request of Campus Partners for Urban Redevelopment, an affiliate of The Ohio State University. Campus Partners was concerned about the high concentration of dilapidated units in the portfolio located in Weinland Park, the neighborhood adjacent to the university, and had secured an agreement with the previous owners. On April 23, 2003 OCCH purchased the existing for-profit management company and transformed it into the mission-oriented Community Properties of Ohio Management Services (CPO Management).

In partnership with a number of community organizations, and with the active support of federal, state, county and the local government, OCCH implemented the “Community Properties Initiative”– a $133 million, nine-phase redevelopment plan–rehabilitating 1,033 units of affordable rental housing in Columbus, OH. The rehabilitation initiative, begun in 2004 and completed in 2009, involved physical rehabilitation of units, with particular attention to the historic preservation elements of the buildings. Also essential to the initiative was an aggressive “Eliminate the Elements” safety program, supportive services, strict lease compliance and re-establishment of trust and accountability between residents and property management. Gratefully, neighborhood groups once critical of the portfolio now view the CPO initiative as an important element of stabilizing our communities.

• 2003

  Founded by Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing in April 2003

• 2004

  Began $133 million, 9-phase rehabilitation of CPO housing portfolio (1,033 units), including temporary relocation of residents

• 2005

  Integrated a Supportive Services model to begin delivering holistic services for residents

  Received the “Outstanding Achievement Award” by the US Conference of Mayors

• 2006

  Received “Outstanding Group” award from the Columbus Landmarks Foundation

• 2007

  Established CPO Impact, a 501 (c)(3) non-profit arm to support & raise funds for resident service initiatives

• 2008

  Received “James B. Recchie Design” award for innovation in rehabilitating Section 8 properties

• 2009

  Completed 9-phase rehabilitation of original housing portfolio

• 2010

  Received “Award of Merit” from the Ohio Historical Society

  Received the “Community Service” award from the Leopold W. Berhardt Foundation

• 2011

  Received the 2011 “Honor Award” from the National Trust for Historic Preservation

• 2012

  Developed and opened Columbus Scholar House (Phase I) in partnership with Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority

• 2013

  The Annie E. Casey Foundation selected Community Properties of Ohio as one of 5 organizations to lead the “Family Centered Community Change Initiative” in Weinland Park.

• 2014

  Earned the “Community of Quality” designation from National Affordable Housing Management Association for the original Community Properties of Ohio housing portfolio

• 2015

  Received the “Visionary Housing Honoree” award from the National Housing Conference

• 2016

  Opened Future Scholars Early Learning Center (operated by the YMCA) to provide childcare for Community Properties of Ohio families

  Named one of “Top 5 Nonprofits to Watch in 2016” by The Columbus Foundation

• 2017

  Chad Ketler named new President and CEO of Community Properties of Ohio

  Developed and opened Columbus Scholar House (Phase II) in partnership with Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority

  Received “Award for Excellence in Historic Revitalization” by the Near East Area Commission

• 2019

  Received 2019 "Diversity in Business" award from Columbus Business First