March 2025 Issue
Update on Assistance Programs
Thank you to everyone who has participated in our
assistance programs!
In 2024, EDEN was awarded federal grants to distribute emergency financial assistance to those who were at risk of losing their housing (ARPA) and those who were financially impacted by the COVID pandemic (ERA2). These grants were supplemented with funds from the ADAMHS Board, the MHARS Board of Lorain County, OHMAS/Stepping Up, and Healthy Lakewood.
EDEN distributed $4,415,272 for 797 households, averaging $5,539 per household. These funds paid for security deposits, first month's rent, rental and utility arrearages, housekeeping and deep cleaning services for those in hoarding situations, motel stays for those who needed temporary housing, and more. This funding made the difference between keeping their homes vs. returning to homelessness.
Current Funding Opportunities
Effective April 1, 2025 ARPA will no longer accept applications for Cleaning/Deep cleaning due to limited funds. The ARPA Landlord Incentives funds can be used for reimbursement of repairs after an HQS inspection, application fees, and holding fees up to $250 to hold a unit until move-in.
How to apply: Complete the form at www.EDENcle.org/form/incentives.
Stepping Up Funds—also known as Landlord Mitigation funds—can pay for reimbursement of damages during tenancy or at move-out, reimbursement for unpaid rent at move-out, or unit abandonment. To be eligible the tenant (or an adult member of the household) has to have a criminal background and a documented mental illness and/or substance abuse histories. These funds and have a payout up to $5,000 and are paid upon approved eligibility and completion of the repairs.
How to apply: please contact Katie Westbrook at kwestbrook@edencle.org to discuss if you have a situation that may be eligible for this program.
ADAMHS Board Funds are available for tenants with an adult member of the household who has a criminal background and a documented mental health diagnosis or substance abuse disorder. In addition, the landlord either must be new to EDEN or has not rented to an EDEN participant in the last year or is renting out a unit that hasn't been rented to an EDEN participant in the past.*
These funds can be used to hold a unit 30-60 days until the tenant is ready to move-in, an additional security deposit (after the first security deposit has been paid), reimbursement for small repairs to help bring the unit up to HQS standards before the tenant moves in, rent reporting services to improve a tenant's credit score, additional insurance coverage for landlords, and pet deposits. The maximum payment is $2,000 per tenant.
How to apply: contact Nina Parker at nparker@EDENcle.org.
MHARS Board Funds are available for those living in Lorain County. The purpose is to increase the number of housing providers willing to rent to individuals with a criminal background who also have a documented mental illness or substance use disorder or are being discharged from a psychiatric hospital. In addition, the landlord either must be new to EDEN or has not rented to an EDEN participant in the last year or is renting out a unit that hasn't been rented to an EDEN participant in the past.*
These funds can be used to hold a unit 30-60 days until the tenant is ready to move-in, an additional security deposit (after the first security deposit has been paid), reimbursement for small repairs to help bring the unit up to HQS standards before the tenant moves in, rent reporting services to improve a tenant's credit score, additional insurance coverage for landlords, and pet deposits. The maximum payment is $2,000 per tenant.
How to apply: contact Arielle Edwards at the MHARS Board: aedwards@mharslc.org.
*More eligibility information for MHARS and ADAMHS Board Funds:
- Landlords must follow HUD's Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and provide safe housing settings, with standard landlord-tenant leases, to the Program's target population in Ohio communities. This includes new private landlords and private landlords who are currently working with behavioral health providers and renting to the target population.
- If private landlords have additional rental units to rent to the program's target population, they are eligible for Landlord Incentive Fund for each new. placed individual. (There is a maximum $2,000 for each new placement)
- If an eligible tenant is already living in a rental unit, the landlord cannot receive retroactive Landlord Incentive Funds for this tenant. However, if the landlord renewed the lease (12-month lease minimum) with this eligible tenant, the landlord would qualify for the Landlord Incentive Fund for renewing the lease for 12 months with the eligible tenant. (There is a maximum $2,000 for each new placement)
- Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 Residential Facilities, Recovery Housing Residences and Supportive Housing providers are not eligible for this funding.
Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
You can contact our Property Owner Hotline at 216-503-6369 or email EdenLandlordInfo@edencle.org. We will be happy to discuss any concerns or questions you may have.
Communicate with us!
We value our partnership with you. EDEN cannot fulfill its mission of providing housing solutions to people facing the challenges of housing insecurities and homelessness without the support of property owners and managers like you. If you have any concerns, please reach out to our Community Housing Agents at the information line 216-503-6369 or email EdenLandlordInfo@edencle.org and we will do our best to offer solutions or refer you to the person at EDEN who can help.
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We want to partner with you!
EDEN has a robust program to help property owners and managers to attract and retain renters for their properties. We encourage you to reach out to us if you have any questions or want additional information. Click here to email our Community Housing Agents or call the property owner hotline at 216-503-6369.
Submit Your Questions
Click here to ask a question. We will answer them in our February issue.
Resources for Housing Providers & Managers
Brochure for Housing Providers
Housing Provider Information Web Page
Fair Housing Center for Rights & Research
Lead Safe Cleveland
(see section for financial assistance)
Tenant & Housing Provider Duties
Past Issue Topics
Introduction to EDEN's Housing Provider Partnership Program
What Housing Providers Need to Know: Understanding Fair Housing Law
Attention All Rental Property Owners:
Access Money to Get Lead Safe With!
Understanding the RFLA:
Request for Lease Approval
Introducing New Incentives for Housing Providers with Units in Lakewood
Introducing New Incentives for Housing Providers in Northeast Ohio
The Importance of the HAP Contract
Tenant & Landlord Responsibilities
Local Governments Cracking Down on Lead, Code Violations
EDEN Rent Determination Policy for Long-Term Housing Programs
Incentives Available for Housing Providers Who Partner with EDEN
Who Can You Call When You Need Something?
EDEN Answers Your Rent Subsidy Questions
NSPIRE Set to Replace HQS Inspections
Interview with a Housing Provider
EDEN's Transition to New Software
Financial Incentives for Housing Providers in Northeast Ohio
Renting to Tenants with Criminal Backgrounds
Frequently Asked Questions About HAP Contracts
Do you own or manage units in Lakewood? EDEN has funds to help with security deposits, double security deposits, inspection repairs, and damages. Reach out to our Community Housing Agents for more info.