1.20.23

Groundbreaking Planned for New, Larger Zora’s House in Weinland Park

Marker Construction was selected to build the new building, which will sit on the former site of a two-story brick building that once held D&J Carryout, a corner store that had become a magnet for crime in the area. The building was bought by Campus Partners in 2014, who transferred ownership to Community Properties of Ohio. That organization later tore down the building and, in 2021, donated the lot to Zora's House. Marker has been active in the area, with two mixed-use developments currently under construction nearby – Crossline and The Guild – that together will bring more than 400 new residential units to the neighborhood.

"Weinland Park is an important neighborhood in Columbus with a vibrant history and community," said Alison Marker, President and CEO of Marker, Inc., in a statement. "Zora's House 2.0 will have a significant impact for women and gender-expansive people of color and for the area as a whole; it is incredibly meaningful to be a part of it."

4.29.21

Amid a changing Weinland Park, Zora's House to build anew on site of former carryout

Zora's House is getting an upgrade. The Weinland Park-based nonprofit is the new owner of the site of the recently demolished D&J Carryout at North 4th Street and East 8th Avenue in the neighborhood. After years of exploring options for the property, Community Properties of Ohio donated the land to Zora's House, a coworking and community space for women of color currently housed in an approximately 2,000-square-foot building on Summit Street. The organization will launch a $2.5 million capital campaign to construct a 10,000-square-foot building, with a tentative goal to open doors in late 2022. Founder and CEO LC Johnson said the additional space will allow her to extend programming to more women, who often leverage Zora's House to launch businesses and other initiatives.

3.3.21

Former foster kids now have a place to call home in Columbus

2.22.21

These Columbus nonprofits are teaming up to fundraise during Covid-19

Four Central Ohio nonprofit organizations are hoping joining forces will lead to increased fundraising success.
The YMCA of Central Ohio, Columbus Urban League, Community Properties of Ohio and the YWCA of Columbus have launched the "Connect 4 Change Campaign" in order to raise what they say are much-needed funds as the groups continue to grapple with the effects of Covid-19.
Tony Collins, president and CEO of the YMCA of Central Ohio, said it has become more difficult for nonprofits to get their stories out during the pandemic.
"The idea behind us collaborating together to support this community has been happening for years. But collaborating in this way is somewhat unique," Collins said. "We could all tell our stories individually and reach our individual audiences, or we could tell our stories together. Our voices are more powerful connected together."

4.2.20

Community Properties of Ohio (CPO) awarded mini-grant from ADAMH Board of Franklin County

ADAMH (Alcohol, Drug and Mental Health Board of Franklin County) seeks to support programs or events with a broad community impact that raise awareness of mental illness or addiction, promote health and wellness, promote prevention activities, or fight stigma. CPO Impact, CPO Management's 501(c)(3), was established in 2007 to help fund initiatives and support the research and development needed to find and design interventions to further the mission of CPO.
This funding will be used to continue diversity and inclusion training for CPO staff through introducing "Learning Communities," monthly sessions that focus on enhancing education around various topics of inclusion including identity, nationality and culture, trauma and resilience, class/socioeconomic status, and more.
“We are excited to provide this opportunity to our staff,” CPO’s President & CEO Chad Ketler said.

6.28.19

Outstanding Diversity Organization: Community Properties of Ohio

Community Properties of Ohio, which manages thousands of affordable housing units in Central Ohio, is credited with helping revitalize the neighborhoods it serves by investing in its residents. The organization said it was not satisfied to simply fix up older homes. Its leaders wanted to make sure community members felt the benefits.
CPO acquired more than 1,000 properties in 2003 that were scattered across seven inner-city neighborhoods. Sarah Lewis, CPO's marketing and communications manager, said in its nomination that the initial transition was a challenge. She said some neighbors "wanted these affordable units out of their backyards" because the complexes had high crime rates and there was a history of "racial segregation and little public investment." "(It) was an environment of mistrust at first, but the tides began to turn as all parties recognized we could "walk the walk.'"

5.15.19

This affordable housing project helps keep parents in college, and it's growing

Columbus Scholar House keeps parents in college - Columbus Business First

A growing affordable housing development on the Near East Side is seeing success helping underprivileged parents get their college degrees. Stretching down North 17th Street south of East Long Street, Columbus Scholar House is a unique affordable housing concept with a larger mission.

4.9.18

Community Properties of Ohio Spreads Hope

Columbus CEO sat down with our President & CEO, Chad Ketler to talk about how we are using quality, affordable housing as a platform to spread hope throughout central Columbus.

3.14.17

Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing Appoints New President and CEO of Community Properties of Ohio

Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH) is pleased to announce the appointment of Chad Ketler as President & CEO of Community Properties of Ohio (CPO Management). Mr. Ketler will succeed Isabel Toth, founding President & CEO, when she retires in April.

3.18.16

The Columbus Foundation Announces Community Properties of Ohio as one of the "5 Nonprofits to Watch" in 2016

Community Properties of Ohio is honored to be recognized by The Columbus Foundation as one of the "5 Non-profits to Watch" in 2016! It is a privilege to be considered among such great company. The other nonprofits to make the list are the AIDS Resource Center Ohio, Columbus Metropolitan Library, HandsOn Central Ohio, and Maryhaven.

12.16.14

$16.5M Federal Grant to Fund Ohio State-Led Program for At-Risk Children

The Ohio State University was named the recipient of a $16.5 million grant to establish an Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership to ensure low-income children in Columbus receive a healthy and enriching start. The Ohio State University will lead a coalition of social-service agencies, including CPO, to provide early-education programs for infants through age three. The unique program is made possible by a $16.5 million federal grant in which OSU will receive $2.7 million in each of the next five years. Matching dollars from grant partners will elevate the funding to $3.3 million annually. This initiative will support education, health, and community programming for children and families living in Franklinton, Hilltop, South Linden, Near East, Near South, Far South and University District neighborhoods throughout Columbus.

06.12.14

Columbus Civic leaders Join Forces to Aid Next Phase of Weinland Park Revitalization

Leaders of civic organizations today jointly announced real estate acquisitions of prime locations that are strategic to the ongoing redevelopment of Weinland Park. This new infusion of capital will enable continued progress in transforming the neighborhood. Campus Partners for Community Urban Redevelopment, through grants from The Ohio State University, The Columbus Foundation and Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, closed today on the purchase of two sites previously occupied by carryouts. In turn, the organization will sell the D&J Carryout at the corner of North 4th Street and 8th Avenue to Community Properties of Ohio (CPO), an affiliate of Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, and promote redevelopment of Kelly’s Carryout at North 4th Street and 11th Avenue following demolition and environmental clean-up.