NEWS RELEASE:   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Miami Valley Housing Opportunities Completes Historic Housing Renovation

Designed for Homeless Women Veterans

DAYTON, Ohio, (August 22, 2008)—Miami Valley Housing Opportunities (MVHO) announced the completion of Ohio Avenue Commons - the nation’s first supportive housing initiative open to homeless women veterans - located on Dayton Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center campus.  In the U.S. there are approximately 7,000 homeless women veterans, and this number is expected to increase as more veterans return from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, according Medill Reports, Northwestern University. Not only are these women veterans homeless, but 50 percent are suffering from chemical dependency and 33 percent have a mental illness.  “Since the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, we have seen an increased need for veteran housing and services,” said Natalie Harris, Miami Valley Housing Opportunity executive director. “We realize this need and are working with other area organizations to provide veterans with a place to call home, proper medical attention and educational programs to help them thrive independently.”  Ohio Avenue Commons will provide veterans with apartment-style living and other amenities provided on the Dayton VA campus, including: medical services, cafeterias, day care, job training, chemical dependency counseling, religious services and transportation to the surrounding Dayton area.  “I joined the military, but after a year and 26 days I was discharged for having scoliosis,” said Carisa, veteran and Ohio Avenue Commons candidate for tenancy. “I became homeless; I battled with a drug addiction; and I’m living with bipolar disorder. Ohio Avenue Commons will give me a second chance and help me start over.”   The Other Place will provide these veterans with educational workshop programs and job training to help them successfully re-enter society, including: independent living skills, case management, employment training and placement and financial education.  Miller-Valentine Group worked diligently during the past two-and-a-half years to accurately restore and preserve Ohio Avenue Commons, originally known as Building 402. The renovation revitalized and repaired the building’s original metal ceiling and the brick façade to last another 100 years.  “We wanted to preserve the original architectural style of the VA Building 402, which dates back to the late-1800s,” said Brian McGeady, director of multi-family development for Miller-Valentine Group. “We used meticulous processes to maintain the historical value, including applying a special sealer to the brick façade to keep the original look, but also improve its durability.”  The Ohio Avenue Commons project was funded through more than $4 million tax credits from low-income tax credits, Housing and Urban Development HOME program, Historic tax credits and local financing. Several community partners assisted with other aspects of this project, including: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Historic Tax Credit Program, U.S. Veterans Affairs, Enterprise Community Investment, Inc., US Bank, Montgomery County, CountyCorp, City of Dayton and The Other Place.

MVHO is currently accepting applications for Ohio Avenue Commons from men and women.

About Miami Valley Housing Opportunities
MVHO serves as the premier provider of appropriate, safe and affordable housing for persons with mental illness, chemical dependency and other disabilities in Montgomery County.