Jeffery K. Patterson

Chief Executive Officer, Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority

What excites you about the Campus District neighborhood?

The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) is proud to partner with the Campus District neighborhood and all of our community partners on the much-anticipated Cedar-Central Development between East 22nd and East 30th Streets on Community College Avenue. The agency is grateful to play an integral role in bringing this reimagined neighborhood to life through a mixed-use development that embraces history, transforms neighborhoods, connects people, and creates new opportunities.

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Recently CMHA was selected through a competitive process by President Obama’s administration to participate in ConnectHome, a new initiative for our communities to have high-speed broadband services. Cleveland is one of 27 cities which will initially reach over 275,000 low-income households—and nearly 200,000 children—with the support needed to access the Internet at home. Internet Services Providers, non-profits, and the private sector will aid in offering broadband access, technical training, digital literacy programs, and devices for residents in assisted housing units. We are working with a diverse group of partners to discuss metrics for the program, goals, and the impact increased connectivity will have on our neighborhoods. As we allow access, technology is becoming more of a necessity for both youth and adults alike. We look forward to working together to benefit children and families and help them move ahead toward closing the digital divide that current exists in communities across the country.