Star House Foundation

Star house, in partnership with the columbus metropolitan housing authority (cmha) and finance fund, operates carol stewart village (csv), an affordable housing neighborhood for young adults, ages 18-24, transitioning out of homelessness. Csv offers 62 studio apartments with on-site access to case management, therapy, health care, education and employment resources, and a supportive community. Thanks to project-based vouchers provided by cmha, residents have the opportunity to live at csv for up to seven years while they acquire the credential and experience necessary to thrive independently in long-term housing stability. Residents pay up to 30% of their gross annual income for affordable rent and utilities and sign a year-long, renewable lease.

Star house's clinical team provides mental health therapy, case management and crisis intervention to youth at the drop-in center and residents at carol stewart village and helps them make connections to stabilizing resources. Therapists work with youth to address issues such as post-traumatic stress disorder (ptsd), substance abuse and other mental health conditions. As a result, star house regularly sees youth who begin the program with severe ptsd, eventually no longer hold a ptsd diagnosis. Therapists and case managers help youth navigate complex systems to access the resources they need to find stability. The team connects them with crucial id cards, employment, housing, legal aid, health care, education, government benefits and more.

For many youth experiencing homelessness, the path to sustained employment is filled with setbacks, including challenges with stable housing, transportation, and more. Star house breaks down these barriers through the star works program, which provides workforce development and transitional employment opportunities with pathways to living-wage careers. By partnering with start-up social enterprises like petals that inspire, star house offers transitional workforce development opportunities that are truly transformational. Youth earn immediate income while building their resumes and developing the foundational skills needed for long-term employment success.