For Cincinnati Bengals center Ted Karras, creating housing opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities has always been a top priority. Now, thanks to the efforts of his Cincy Hat Foundation—along with other local organizations, donors, and community leaders—the first of what he hopes are many such projects is set to open in the fall in Madisonville.
“From day one, our mission has been to create opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and housing is one of the greatest needs facing this community,” says Karras. “This building is more than bricks and mortar. It’s a place where people can build independence, find belonging, and create a life of their own. That’s the kind of lasting impact we’re striving for.”
Founded by Karras and his childhood friend Matt Renie, Cincy Hat Foundation began as a way raise money for the Village of Merici, a Medicaid services organization co-founded by Renie’s mother in the Indianapolis area. What started as an idea to raise money via co-branded custom hats quickly became a hot commodity, with more than $4 million in hats sold to date. As a result, the foundation has been able to focus its mission on expanding opportunities in this region for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“We’ve heard from so many families in Cincinnati that there is a massive need for safe, affordable, supported housing, and we hope to fill that critical gap,” says Renie.
With help from The Port of Greater Cincinnati Developmental Authority, Renie and Karras were able to narrow down a location for their housing project from among several landbank properties The Port maintains. They settled on Madisonville after community leaders there conveyed a desire for more affordable housing in the neighborhood and offered to support the project.
While The Port and Hamilton County Landbank were key in helping secure land for the five-unit apartment building, Karras bolstered fundraising efforts with his own $500,000 donation. The team at Hamilton County Developmental Disabilities Services and several other local service and housing providers offered constructive feedback and guidance to ensure the housing model would adequately serve the desired population.
For Karras and Renie, the project is the first step in a long-term plan to invest in affordable, independent housing opportunities for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and to help build a sustainable nonprofit housing portfolio that serves Cincinnati for years to come.
“My greatest joy comes from seeing big-hearted Cincinnatians rally around a mission that, in many cases, may not directly impact them or their own families,” says Karras. “Yet they still choose to show up, give back, and support their neighbors. I’m consistently inspired by the generosity in this city and am proud to call Cincinnati home.”