A well-known landmark on the Near West side of Cleveland is receiving a makeover. Originally built in 1914 by the non-partisan Women’s Christian Temperance Union (later to become the Women’s Philanthropic Union) under the leadership of Mrs. Benjamin S. Cogswell, Cogswell Hall was built for and housed single girls who were coming out of Cleveland’s Workhouse and young single women entering the workforce. Through the years, many women have called Cogswell Hall home; some residents for as long as nineteen years.  The current population includes retired women as well as women with physical, psychological, developmental, and economic challenges.

Under the partnership of Cogswell Hall, Inc., Detroit Shoreway Community Development Organization, and Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, the Cogswell Hall project consists of the rehabilitation and expansion of an historic 30-unit housing facility. New construction will add 11 units to the current facility. The rehabilitation will increase the square footage of the existing units from 100 to 196-370 square feet. The new addition will feature units with 251-346 square feet.  The project is targeted toward persons facing a critical life challenge and offers supportive services to the residents.  The goal of the facility is to prevent homelessness.

The rehabilitation will add amenities that currently do not exist in the building.  Each unit will feature a bathroom, small kitchen area, and air conditioning.  The project is being developed by Cogswell Hall, Inc., the current non-profit owner and operator of the property, and Detroit Shoreway Development Corporation Organization, a local grassroots non-profit CDC committed to serve the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio.  

Low Income Housing Tax Credit, Federal Historic Tax Credit and State of Ohio Tax Credit Equity is being provided by Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing.  In addition to the tax credit equity, the Cogswell Hall project is receiving funding through the following sources: Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Ohio Housing Trust Fund, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, the Gund Foundation, Community Development Finance Fund, The Enterprise Foundation, the Cleveland Foundation, Ohio Department of Development, the Women’s Philanthropic Union, and Ohio Green Communities.