Funding Secured for Major Renovation of Historic Alexandra Apartments

CINCINNATI, Ohio— National Church Residences announces the successful closing of funding for the comprehensive renovation of the Alexandra Apartments, a cherished landmark in Cincinnati’s Walnut Hills neighborhood. This development marks a significant milestone in preserving affordable senior housing and enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

The Alexandra Apartments, a historic community offering a mix of four efficiency, 64 one-bedroom, and 15 two-bedroom units, has been under the stewardship of National Church Residences since April 2022. The upcoming renovation will breathe new life into this property, ensuring it remains a vital part of the neighborhood’s heritage while providing modern comforts to its senior residents.

“Restoring the Alexandra Apartments not only preserves this historic community asset; it ensures that our seniors have a safe, affordable and comfortable place to call home,” said Hamilton County Commission President Alicia Reece. “This project represents our Board’s commitment to affordable senior housing where our aging adults can connect with neighbors and live longer, healthier lives.”

Work will begin this month and include significant upgrades such as new building amenities, modernized building systems and refreshed apartment interiors. Post-renovation, the property will remain a welcoming home for Cincinnati’s senior population.

“Preserving a historic community like the Alexandra involves a meticulous process that includes submitting the building’s renovation plans to the State Historic Preservation Office to ensure the renovation meets historic standards,” said Tim Westrich, senior project leader at National Church Residences. “The preservation of the Alexandra is important to Walnut Hills, which has seen a rapid increase in market-rate housing over the past decade.”

Given the complexity and cost of this renovation, Alexandra had several funders, each of whom provided invaluable support. They include: the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, Fifth Third Bank, the City of Cincinnati, Hamilton County, the Cincinnati Development Fund and Ohio History Connection.

“CDF (Cincinnati Development Fund) created the Affordable Housing Leverage Fund to make building affordable housing easier and faster” said Luke Blocher, CDF chief strategy officer. “By coordinating funding programs like the County’s historic investment of federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) dollars and bringing our 36 years of expertise to the table, we can evaluate projects like this, identify needs and get the funds out the door. That means more units are coming online more quickly in the places they are needed most.”

The renovation of the Alexandra has received support from the Walnut Hills Redevelopment Foundation, a neighborhood-based nonprofit that partnered closely with National Church Residences to preserve the building as affordable housing. The Model Group serves as development consultant and general contractor and played a key role in ensuring the building’s restoration.

National Church Residences is committed to delivering a restored Alexandra Apartments that honors its storied past while meeting the evolving needs of its residents. Further details about the renovation timeline and leasing information will be announced as construction progresses.

About National Church Residences

Originating from a Christian commitment of service, National Church Residences provides an array of health care services and a variety of housing options to 65,000 seniors. The nonprofit organization is driven by a vision to scale for mission impact by advancing better living for 100,000 seniors by 2030, wherever they call home. With more than 350 communities across the United States, it is the nation’s largest nonprofit  provider of affordable senior housing and the largest manager of service coordinators. The organization also offers a variety of additional senior living options, home and community-based services, as well as permanent supportive housing for the formerly homeless and disabled. For more information, visit us at NationalChurchResidences.org and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.