Council Gardens

Name

Council Gardens

Legal name

Council Gardens

Website

https://councilgardens.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1963

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Council Gardens is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit affordable senior housing community in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, operating 122 income-based apartments across 7.5 acres for residents aged 62+ and mobility-impaired adults of all ages.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Affordable Senior Housing Services

NAICS

Other Residential Care Facilities (623990)

SIC

Operators Of Apartment Buildings (6513)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable/Subsidized Independent Living (HUD/LIHTC) Communities (HLADAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Housing & Neighborhood Services (Local Housing Programs) (BPAIACAJ)

Keywords

• Senior housing
• Affordable apartments
• Independent living
• Wellness programs
• Senior community

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland Heights

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Residential Rental Income: Council Gardens generates revenue through rental payments from residents. Rent is income-based, calculated as approximately 30% of household income, with most utilities included. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, with public funding from HUD covering basic operations, while donations support special programs and services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Council Gardens provides affordable, income-based rental apartment housing for seniors aged 62 and older and for mobility-impaired adults of all ages. The nonprofit operates 122 efficiency, one-, and two-bedroom units across one mid-rise building and eight garden buildings on 7.5 acres in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, with rent set at approximately 30% of household income and most utilities included. Residents receive wellness programs, social activities, writing workshops, gardening opportunities, and shared community amenities as part of the housing offering.

Product overview

Council Gardens is a nonprofit senior housing community providing affordable apartment living through multiple housing types. The core offering consists of 122 efficiency, one-, and two-bedroom units available as garden-style apartments across eight garden buildings or in one mid-rise building, all with income-based rent and utilities included. Beyond housing, the community provides wellness and recreation programs (Tai Chi, swimming, exercise classes), outdoor gardening opportunities, writing workshops in partnership with Literary Cleveland, and shared community amenities including library, game room, and meditation gardens. Residents access services through a RealPage-based resident portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Affordable Income-Based Apartment Rentals (Efficiency, One-, and Two-Bedroom Units) Studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartments designed for older adults aged 62+ and mobility-impaired adults, featuring full kitchens, accessible bathrooms, in-unit storage, and air conditioning, with rent set at approximately 30% of household income and most utilities (electricity, heat, water) included. The offering serves seniors and mobility-impaired adults seeking affordable, safe, and accessible independent living in a supportive community environment.
• Wellness and Recreation Programs Comprehensive wellness offerings for residents including Tai Chi and exercise classes, swimming at the Mandel JCC (with transportation provided), indoor and outdoor fitness equipment, and social activities promoting physical health and mental wellbeing. Targeted at seniors aged 62+ and mobility-impaired adults living in the Council Gardens community.
• Writing Workshop and Literary Programs Weekly writing workshops conducted in collaboration with Literary Cleveland for Council Gardens residents. The program has produced published books including Writing in the Gardens and Reflections: Council Gardens 60th Anniversary. Targeted at residents of the senior housing community.
• Community Amenities and Shared Spaces On-site amenities for residents including library and activity room, community dining room with commercial kitchen, game room, snack room with vending machines, meditation gardens, underground heated parking ($25/month), on-site laundry, and seven acres of outdoor space featuring individual ground and raised-bed vegetable gardens, Zen and Butterfly gardens, walking paths, shaded sitting areas, outdoor fitness equipment, and a fruit orchard. Targeted at residents of the senior housing community.

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Council of Jewish Women/Cleveland (NCJW/CLE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1963NCJW/CLE founded Council Gardens in 1963 as the first senior housing community of its kind in Greater Cleveland. The organization continues to support Council Gardens financially and through active board leadership. NCJW/CLE's ongoing involvement ensures Ruth Einstein's founding vision continues to thrive.
• Literary ClevelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouncil Gardens collaborates with Literary Cleveland to offer weekly writing workshops for residents. This partnership has produced two books: Writing in the Gardens and Reflections: Council Gardens 60th Anniversary.
• Mandel JCCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouncil Gardens residents enjoy swimming at the Mandel JCC with transportation provided by the community. This partnership provides recreational wellness opportunities for residents.
• Cleveland Heights Public LibraryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouncil Gardens maintains a book exchange program with Cleveland Heights Public Library. Residents also benefit from library services and programming partnerships.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Lifespire: Nonprofit supportive housing and services provider serving seniors and individuals with disabilities, often through HUD-funded programs.
• Presbyterian Senior Living: Faith-based nonprofit operating continuing care and affordable senior housing, including HUD-subsidized properties. Comparable mission-driven, community-rooted model and resident demographic to Council Gardens.
• Mercy Housing: National nonprofit providing affordable housing, including senior-specific properties, often in partnership with HUD. Comparable in mission, federal-funding model, and resident demographic to Council Gardens.
• National Church Residences: Large nonprofit operator of affordable senior housing communities, including HUD-subsidized independent living across multiple states. Directly comparable in mission, regulatory model, and resident segment to Council Gardens.
• Volunteers of America: National nonprofit operating HUD-subsidized senior housing and supportive services programs. Directly comparable in funding mix, resident segment (low-income seniors), and service-wrapped housing model.

Emerging players

• Hebrew SeniorLife: Nonprofit senior housing and care provider in the Greater Boston area with deep community/legacy roots similar to Council Gardens, including HUD-affiliated affordable housing components and rich wellness programming.

Broad incumbents

• Atria Senior Living: Large national operator of senior living communities including independent and assisted living. Comparable resident demographic, though primarily market-rate rather than HUD-subsidized affordable.
• Brookdale Senior Living: Largest U.S. operator of senior living communities across independent living, assisted living, and memory care. A broad incumbent serving the same senior resident demographic though predominantly market-rate rather than subsidized.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/council-gardens

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Council Gardens