Cincinnati Union Bethel proudly announces the opening of the new Anna Louise Inn at 2401 Reading Road in Mt. Auburn. The new Inn is the realization of over 4 years of planning and community partnership and opened with friends and fanfare on June 9, 2015.
The Anna Louise Inn has 85 efficiency apartments complete with kitchenettes, separate bedroom and bathroom, and living space. These apartments have modern amenities such as individual thermostats, new furniture and beds, full-size refrigerator, range oven and microwave. Also, new intercoms and key-card entry provide the utmost in security and comfort. The new apartments are 4 times larger than the current rooms available at the original Anna Louise Inn.
The Anna Louise Inn is also the home for the Off the Streets® (OTS) program which assists women who have been victims of human trafficking to move towards safety, recovery, empowerment, and community reintegration. Off the Streets has their own specially-designed area of the Inn where they will live and work together to create positive life changes for the women, leading to reconnection to family, stable jobs, and permanent housing.
Founded in 1909 by Cincinnati Union Bethel and funded by Mr. and Mrs. Charles P. Taft, the Inn, named after the Taft’s daughter, Anna Louise Taft Semple, was built as a safe haven for the young, single women from rural areas who were coming to Cincinnati to work in the city. These women faced many barriers to finding affordable and safe housing in a city where there were few options for women of modest financial means.
Recognizing a need for affordable and safe housing for women, Cincinnati Union Bethel turned to the Tafts, long-time supporters of CUB, who donated the original site on the corner of Third and Lytle Streets and provided the funding to build the Inn. After 100 years of service to hundreds of women, we leave the “grand lady” Anna Louise Inn but look forward to continuing our mission at the new Inn.
Steve MacConnell, President & CEO of Cincinnati Union Bethel, commented, “Our wonderful new home in Mt. Auburn will provide the opportunity for all of our residents to live independent and meaningful lives and to achieve their full potential. They know they have a safe, affordable and spacious place they can call their very own. We couldn’t be more pleased.”
Thanks to our partners in the Anna Louise Inn: the City of Cincinnati, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Ohio Housing Finance Agency, Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, US Bank, Strategies to End Homelessness, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services, and McGill Smith Punshon, Inc.