Columbus, OH – (February 24, 2026) – National Church Residences today announces the grand opening of Berwyn East Place, an 88-unit affordable senior housing community in Columbus designed as a working example of how stable housing and coordinated healthcare services with local partners can better support extremely low-income older adults. Community leaders, housing advocates, and healthcare partners gathered to celebrate the opening of a development intentionally built to demonstrate how integrating healthcare within senior housing can improve long-term health outcomes and stability.
Berwyn East Place was made possible through a deep collaboration of public and private partners.
The primary funding source for the development was 4% Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) made possible by the Ohio Housing Financing Agency, which also provided permanent debt financing, a bridge loan, and HOME-ARP funds to secure the project.
Tax credits, representing nearly $12 million, were purchased by UnitedHealthcare in a deal syndicated by the National Affordable Housing Trust.
“UnitedHealth Group recognizes that access to safe, affordable housing and resident-focused services has a direct impact on health and quality of life,” said Marianella Napolitano, director of population health, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Ohio, part of UnitedHealth Group. “By investing in housing and the services that help older adults stay connected to care and essential resources, we’re supporting long-term stability and improved health outcomes for the residents of Berwyn East Place.”
“NAHT is proud of our partnership with NCR and UnitedHealth Group in supporting the development of Berwyn East Place,” said Paul Cummings. “This new community reflects what can be achieved when mission-driven capital and strong local partnerships come together to address the housing needs for older adults in Columbus.”
Additional critical funding came from HOME-ARP dollars through the City of Columbus and the State of Ohio, and ARPA funds from Franklin County. These one-time public investments represent nearly one-third of the total development cost and were essential to bringing the project to life, demonstrating strong local commitment to expanding affordable senior housing in the region.
Berwyn East Place introduces a supportive housing model centered on healthcare integration. The community combines long-term rental subsidies, onsite professional service coordination, and collaboration with managed care partners to proactively address residents’ physical, behavioral, and social health needs.
“For many extremely low-income seniors, one medical crisis can mean losing housing stability or entering institutional care before they are ready,” said Susan DiMickele, President and CEO of National Church Residences. “Berwyn East Place reflects the way we intentionally integrate quality, affordable housing with healthcare partnerships and senior services, so residents have the support they need to remain stable and thrive. This model moves us closer to our vision of serving 100,000 seniors by 2030 and demonstrates what is possible when housing and healthcare systems work together.”
Healthcare collaboration is central to the model. CareSource is providing a part-time LifeCoach to deliver onsite case management and individualized resident support. Buckeye Health Plan and Molina Healthcare of Ohio have provided funding to support many of the community’s supportive services and programming, including digital skills training and move-in kits that help residents establish stability from day one. Together, these partnerships strengthen access to preventative care and help reduce avoidable health crises.
“Caring for our members goes beyond meeting their medical needs; it extends to helping them achieve stability and well-being,” said David Thomas, CareSource Ohio Market President. “The partnership with Berwyn East Place highlights a collective commitment to providing seniors with the comprehensive services they need to thrive and lead fulfilling lives.”
“This project reinforces something we see every day in health care – outcomes are shaped far beyond the clinical setting. When housing, health care, and supportive services are aligned, stability improves and so do lives,” said Buckeye Health Plan CEO Justin Loudon.
Serving the most vulnerable of citizens
Through intentionality and partnerships, Berwyn East Place has been created to serve the most vulnerable of older adults ages 55 and older.
There are at least 36 units that will be referred to Berwyn East Place through the Community Shelter Board targeting individuals who are experiencing advanced geriatric, disabling conditions. These include conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease, age-related cognitive impairment, posttraumatic stress disorder, and others.
Through a commitment from the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA), 55 apartments are supported by project-based vouchers, ensuring residents pay no more than 30% of their income toward rent. These HUD subsidies are increasingly scarce, and National Church Residences’ leaders expressed appreciation for the trust and partnership of CMHA that made this deep affordability possible.
As 31 percent of extremely low-income renters in Ohio are seniors, Berwyn East Place stands as a scalable model for how cross-sector collaboration can address both housing instability and health inequities. By aligning affordable housing with healthcare system engagement and proactive service coordination, National Church Residences and its partners are demonstrating a forward-looking approach to helping seniors remain healthy, independent, and securely housed in their later years.
“We are excited to see the doors open at the new Berwyn East Place, and we look forward to collaborating with National Church Residences to help improve the quality of life for its residents through our population health management collaboration,” said Holly Saelens, Chief Operating Officer of Molina Healthcare of Ohio.
Berwyn East Place residents also benefit from amenities designed to support engagement and wellness, a concierge front desk, community room, fitness center, wellness suite, conference room, resident business center, onsite management and case management offices, mailroom, laundry facilities, and dedicated maintenance support. Onsite service coordination includes assistance with Medicaid enrollment and connections to offsite healthcare and supportive services, ensuring residents can access the resources they need to remain stable.
Construction financing was provided by KeyBank. Architectural design was led by Berardi & Partners, and construction was completed by Ruscilli Construction, longtime partners who remained committed to the project’s vision throughout its development.
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, LinkedIn and YouTube.
CONTACT:
Tricia Strahler, Public Relations Director
Cell: 614-459-1943
[email protected]
