CVS Health Announces $10.5 Million For Supportive Housing
According to an Aug. 25 press release, CVS Health announced it will invest $10.5 million to build 50 supportive housing units for young adults in Cleveland, Ohio. This move is part of the company’s commitment to advancing health equity through addressing social determinants of health at the local level.
The release states that “The new three-story development, Cuyahoga TAY (Transitioning Aged Youth), will be located at 1415-1430 East 45th Street in Cuyahoga County. It will offer one and two-bedroom fully furnished units that include central air conditioning, a refrigerator, electric range, window blinds and extra storage. The development will also offer on-site management, onsite supportive services, a community room with a learning kitchen, laundry facilities, on-site parking and a basketball court. “
Further, “The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development estimates that 15,763 people between 18 to 25 experienced homelessness on a single night. While there has been a decrease in young adult homelessness, a few groups did experience increases. This includes a 29 percent increase in the number of people who identify as transgender and a 26 percent increase in individuals who were gender non-conforming.”
CVS Health is partnering with CHN Housing Partners, a nonprofit affordable housing developer, and Emerald Development and Economic Network Inc. (EDEN), a Cleveland-based provider of scattered site properties, on the development.
Additionally, the company will offer its Project Health mobile events—CVS Health’s no cost, community-based health screening program—to the Cleveland community through December.
“As the company works to address social determinants of health in the Cleveland area, it will also continue exploring opportunities to expand its national workforce initiatives program to help break the cycle of poverty by providing meaningful employment services and training,” the release notes. “This includes offering residents of the TAY development the opportunity to learn more about CVS Health Workforce Innovation and Talent Center in Cleveland. The center is located at the headquarters of the Centers for Families and Children and offers training for individuals seeking employment as pharmacy technicians and retail associates.”
Tracey Izzard, CEO of Aetna Better Health of Ohio, a CVS Health company, was quoted in the release saying that “When young people have stable housing, it puts them in a better position to take care of their health and well-being. Through our investment in Cleveland, we're addressing social determinants of health and providing these young adults with the resources they need to succeed in life.”
