A unique 52-unit development is being built for human trafficking survivors in Columbus, Ohio.
The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) and Beacon 360º Management have finalized a $15.6 million financing plan for the development, paving the way for the project to start construction.
Named Harriet’s Hope, the project will be the first of its kind in Columbus and among the nation’s first service-enriched housing communities for its population, according to the developers.
“Unfortunately, Ohio is both an origin and source state for human trafficking, with cases representing both sex and labor trafficking and domestic and foreign-born victims of all ages,” said CMHA president and CEO Charles Hillman in a statement.
In 2020, Ohio ranked sixth among all states in the number of substantive calls and other reports made to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, which officials attribute largely to the major highways that link the state to Canada, New York, and other places.
Recognizing the need for Harriet’s Hope, the development team has recruited eight funding sources that are supporting development of the property, which is tentatively scheduled to finish construction in late 2023.
The financing partners include the Affordable Housing Trust of Columbus and Franklin County, Ohio Housing Finance Agency, city of Columbus, Park National Bank, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, the Ohio Legislature (via the state capital budget), Ohio Capital Impact Corp., and the Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing (OCCH).
“Human trafficking survivors require a wide range of services, with housing being the main impediment for survivors to escape a life of being trafficked,” said OCCH president and CEO Catherine A. Cawthon. “With the development of Harriet’s Hope, we are creating a housing community that will help its residents overcome trauma, promote healing, inspire independence and instill confidence.”
Finance Fund sold the land for the development. CMHA is not disclosing the location in order to protect the privacy and safety of the future residents.
Harriet’s Hope will introduce an array of programming to support each resident’s immediate and long-term goals.
Columbus-based nonprofit Beacon 360º Management will be responsible for codevelopment and the coordination of supportive services. Harriet’s Hope was the brainchild of Beacon 360º Management CEO Celia Kendall, who conceived the name as an homage to Harriet Tubman, the slave-turned-abolitionist who rescued slaves from bondage.
“It’s important to highlight the uniqueness of this type of development,” said Kendall. “We’ll be providing a holistic and trauma-informed approach to service delivery, including on-site behavioral, mental, and physical health services in partnership with local providers and peer support groups, to encourage rehabilitation and self-sufficiency.”
Ohio law enforcement agencies identified drugs, alcohol, or other dependencies as the leading social and economic factors contributing to a trafficked victim. In 2019, law enforcement identified 211 victims that suffered from alcohol or drug co-dependency, noted the development team. As a result of the link between substance dependency and human trafficking, Harriet’s Hope will operate as a drug and alcohol free, trauma-informed, victim-centered community designed to provide ongoing recovery support for residents that struggle with alcohol and substance disorders.
The Salvation Army of Central Ohio, an expert in the field of anti-human trafficking, will be the coordinated entry-point and the lead supportive service partner for Harriet’s Hope.
Additional supportive service partner providers include nonprofits such as Alvis, Freedom a la Cart, Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Columbus Works, Fit to Navigate, and Integrated Services for Behavioral Health.