Whitney Manor in west Toledo is undergoing a $4.5 million renovation to house people experiencing homelessness.
TOLEDO, Ohio — After three years of planning, a multi-million-dollar renovation is underway at Whitney Manor in west Toledo, with plans to transform the historic building into housing for people who are homeless.
The $4.5 million project is a partnership between Unison Health and the city, using state and local grant funding. Work began last month to gut the interior of the building on North Cove Boulevard, with upgrades underway to HVAC, electrical and plumbing systems.
“The bones themselves were strong, but the electrical was outdated, the water was outdated, the fire suppression system, everything was outdated,” Unison CEO Jeff De Lay said.
Once completed, the $2.5 million renovation will provide housing for people who are chronically homeless and living with mental health conditions. De Lay said the goal is not only to provide shelter but also to help individuals gain independence.
“It’s about trying to address the chronic homelessness problem that we have in Lucas County that continues to grow and not just find a place for individuals to sleep for the night, but actually put them on a journey toward independence,” De Lay said.
The facility will also offer behavioral health services, life skills programs and workforce readiness training. That includes help with managing finances, accessing transportation, shopping, cooking and cleaning.
De Lay said the project is part of a broader effort to address Toledo’s shortage of affordable housing.
“Our vision with this program isn’t just a one-stop shop,” he said. “It’s part of a continuum of care that will result in individuals being stable and being able to live wherever they want to because we’ve provided those skills,” De Lay said.
Construction is expected to be finished by August 2026, with residents moving in that fall.
