Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families

Healthy Neighborhoods, Healthy Families (HNHF) is a five-pronged public-private collaborative, focusing on neighborhood revitalization in Columbus’ South Side, with the goal impacting more than 10,000 residents annually. HNHF is focused on creating tangible outcomes in the areas on Affordable Housing, Education, Health and Wellness, and Safe and Accessible Neighborhoods. This initiative is currently building on efforts around the recently-designed and opened Livingston Avenue Elementary School, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, and current South Side housing improvement efforts.

Affordable Housing

Expand on current housing improvement efforts.

Organizing partners:

  • Community Development For All People
  • Home Again
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital

Defined Outcomes:

  • $3-5 million in seed money over 5-7 years from Nationwide Children’s Hospital
  • Net community gain of at least 84-94 homes
  • Provide home buyer assistance and education
  • Establish home repair grant program

Update

The HNHF Healthy Homes housing initiative is currently renovating three homes and anticipates three more in March. These properties are currently under construction: 799 Heyl Avenue, 815 Heyl Avenue and 762 Carpenter Street. All three homes are located within walking distance of the new Livingston Avenue Elementary School, as well as Nationwide Children’s Hospital. Moving forward, the focus continues to be on providing healthy and efficient homes.

Buyers will be excited to see features like tank-less water heaters, solar tubes, energy-efficient windows and furnaces, recyclable carpet, and universal design features for handicap accessibility. As an added bonus, all homes will have a 10-year partial tax abatement, which will significantly reduce annual property taxes.  Also, modern design features, such as, security systems, open floor plans, multiple bathrooms, and larger closets with ample storage space are being incorporated whenever possible.

Please drive by and check out the progress! For more information on HNHF Healthy Homes, please contact Robert Williams, Project Director.

Health and Wellness

Build on the presence of Nationwide Children’s Hospital.*

Organizing partners:

  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital
  • Columbus Public Health Department

Targeted Programs:

Focused programs to address health care needs of area children and families:

  • Access to primary care
  • Behavioral health 
  • Dental care
  • Asthma and diabetes education
  • Obesity (Fitness And Nutrition Club)
  • Preventing prematurity and reducing infant mortality rates
  • Access to fresh fruits and vegetables through farmers markets
  • Access to health care coverage

Education

Opening of the new Livingston Avenue Elementary School creates an opportunity to enhance primary & secondary academic opportunities throughout the area.*

Organizing partners:

  • Columbus City Schools
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital 

Targeted Programs:

  • Establish mentoring and academic enrichment programs at Livingston Avenue Elementary
  • Provide child consultant services to child care centers to improve early childhood education
  • Create literacy education programs for children and adults
  • Use medical residents to teach health topics in school
  • Middle and high school mentoring program to create positive role modeling around health care careers
  • Expansion of after-school programming targeting parents

Safe and Accessible Neighborhoods

Create a safe and vibrant community for residents and visitors.*

Organizing partners:

  • City of Columbus
  • Nationwide Children’s Hospital 

Targeted Programs:

  • Champion plans for roadway/infrastructure improvements – sidewalks, bike paths, traffic calming, enhanced green space
  • Introduce crime prevention programs to the area
  • Implement personal safety programs – bike helmets, car seat safety checks, self defense, violence and bullying prevention
  • Create home and environmental safety programs - lead paint assessment, provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, fire safety education

Workforce and Economic Development

Build on Nationwide Children’s Hospital’s expansion as a catalyst for job creation.*

Organizing partners:

  • City of Columbus
  • Nationwide Children's Hospital 

Targeted Programs:

  • Increase employment outreach and career fairs for job and vendor opportunities at Nationwide Children’s Hospital
  • Establish student internship programs
  • Create job attainment courses – GED courses, English as a Second Language classes, resume writing, interview workshops, technology training
  • Targeted economic development efforts - support the Parsons Avenue Vision Plan 

* Status of these components:
Organizing partners identified - Currently seeking additional input and partners - Recommendations to be developed throughout 2009