By Okon Ekpenyong

On August 1, 2025, New Americans Magazine was among the local news networks to join Nationwide Children’s Hospital to learn more about the different services provided by the Hospital’s Healthy Neighborhoods Healthy Families initiatives. The team behind these initiatives also gave us a firsthand some of the affordable housing projects taking place in the Linden Neighborhoods, including properties that are under remodeling and newly built, and waiting for new tenants to move in.

Since 2008, the Healthy Homes project has worked with the city and community partners to create more affordable housing on the South side of Columbus, where the Hospital is, and in the Linden Community. 

And since the initiatives launched, they have also helped provide over 950 affordable housing units, with more than 600 homes in the Southside Neighborhood around the Hospital and the rest in the Linden Community.

Additionally, it provides homeownership opportunities, helps build homes on existing lots, and grants for tenants to improve their home improvement projects. The Hospital describes these projects as “a healthy homes program focusing on improving community, family, and individual well-being.”

Nationwide Children’s Hospital, the top-rated pediatric facility in Ohio and the Midwest, is more than just a life-saving institution. Its prestigious 11th place nationally for these services and recognition on the U.S. News Best Children’s Hospital Honor Roll are a testament to its expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence, instilling confidence in the community. 

New tenants will pay roughly $950 per month, compared to Columbus’s average rent price of $1,116. This figure is 29% lower than the national average of $1,639. Rent prices may vary based on the size of the apartment and the type of housing available. Qualifying candidates must meet specific criteria, including annual income, to fall within particular income brackets.

The Hospital’s mission extends beyond saving lives within its walls. It is dedicated to improving children’s health in the neighborhoods where they live, go to school, and play. This inspiring mission gives hope for a healthier and brighter future for the community.

The Healthy Homes team also collaborates with social service organizations, such as Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services, Liberian in Columbus, and Community Refugee Immigration Services, which support refugee and immigrant communities in Central Ohio. It reaches neighborhoods or communities in greatest need, regardless of whether community members are directly or indirectly hospital patients. 

These newly built or restored single-family homes, which we toured, had three bedrooms upstairs, 1 1/2 baths, a beautiful gas/electrical stove, an attractive cabinet, and a basement. These housing options are for low—to moderate-income families, and eligibility criteria likely include income restrictions and property location requirements. For some of the tenants, it will be a fresh start. 

According to the hospital team, plans include expanding affordable housing projects, working with local organizations and government agencies to support families and promote neighborhood revitalization, and offering continued support to help families maintain a stable and healthy living environment. 

Other services within the initiatives include helping improve health and wellness, providing educational assistance, offering community enrichment programs, and supporting the community through its economic development initiatives. 

For instance, in 2025, more than 146 residents benefited from various health and social services through the Southside Thrive collaborative. The number of residents receiving employment support, including youth, has seen a significant increase, a testament to the Hospital’s impactful initiatives that the community can be proud of. 

Additionally, 174 teachers received training in social-emotional concepts through the Hospital Childhood Mental Health program. The Hospital is committed to assisting families in finding jobs, connecting youth to training, and hosting community events to emphasize the importance of these Hospitals.

A 2021 report provided by the Hospital shows that the project has produced more than 375 homes. Additionally, per 2025 hospital data 2025, the division repaired 21 homes, completed 18 rental projects, built and sold five houses, and initiated five more in the Linden community.

Meanwhile, in the Southside of Columbus, the division repaired 107 homes, completed 35 rental projects, built and sold thirty homes, and is building five more. “These data are a reminder that the hospital’s long-term goal is building more inclusivity,” a rep from Nationwide said. 

As indicated in a HealthMap 2025 data report released by Franklin County Public Health, 47.5% of the city’s residents live in rental housing, and those who own a house spend more than 30% of their household income on repairs.

In July 2025, the Healthy Homes division purchased the former Corpus Christi Catholic site on Stewart Avenue in the South Side Neighborhood for $1.2 million. It will convert it into multi-family rental units. 

“We know that stable, affordable housing is critical to health and wellness,” said Gretchen West, executive director of Healthy Homes. “This project will help us expand options to the South Side community and help address the overall shortage of affordable housing in Columbus.”

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