Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry Partnership to Serve Veterans

Three veterans will soon have a place to call home thanks to a new partnership between the Cuyahoga Land Bank and Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry (LMM). The Veterans’ Affordable Housing Initiative provides permanent affordable housing for homeless veterans living in Cuyahoga County, helping them achieve independence. The Cuyahoga Land Bank is committed to creating and furthering opportunities for veterans and actively seeks partnerships to address veteran’s housing issues. LMM’s Men’s Shelter at 2100 Lakeside serves 4,000 men annually with 600 of those being homeless veterans. The Veteran’s Affordable Housing Initiative is a result of these organizations combining their missions to provide assistance to homeless veterans, thousands of whom live in Cuyahoga County.
The first home completed as part of the Initiative is located in East Cleveland and can house up to six veterans. “This project is a win-win,” said East Cleveland Mayor Gary Norton. “It provides an affordable permanent home to veterans that have sacrificed to serve our country and takes an old property and breathes new life into it at the same time. We are honored to have these veterans call East Cleveland home.”
After determining needed accommodations with the help of LMM, the Cuyahoga Land Bank identified the East Cleveland property, facilitated the transfer and hired King’s Sons 821, a local youth workforce development training program, as the general contractor who led the renovation construction. Thanks to generous support from several LMM donors, LMM was able to purchase the renovated property with a favorable financing plan from the Cuyahoga Land Bank. Land Bank Staff “Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to call home,” said Gus Frangos, President and General Counsel, Cuyahoga County Land Bank. “The Veterans’ Affordable Housing Initiative will get our homeless veterans into homes and help them regain their independence.”
The duplex has six bedrooms, giving each veteran a private space; and features a shared kitchen and living space on each side where the veterans can gather together. LMM’s Men’s Shelter coordinates the tenant screening, selection and placement while LMM’s Social Enterprise program will act as landlord and will coordinate ongoing tenant check-in and support services as-needed.
Land Bank Staff “LMM is committed to addressing long-standing problems with innovative solutions and the veteran’s housing partnership is a good example,” said Andrew Genszler, LMM President and Chief Executive Officer and a Navy chaplain. “Our homeless veterans have sacrificed much in service to our country and this partnership is just one way that we can honor and serve these men; supporting them on a path to self-sufficiency.”
LMM is accepting donations of housewarming gifts, such as bedding, towels and other small household items, so that the veterans can feel at home. Anyone who would like to make a donation should contact Kelly Camlin, Associate Director of the Men’s Shelter, at (216) 649-7718 x480.
Both organizations are hopeful that the success of the East Cleveland home will lead to more homes being renovated and made available to veterans through the Initiative.