Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb

Mayor Bibb Administration Steps Up to Fill Seasonal Shelter Funding Gap for the Un-housed Community

City Council Passed the Emergency Ordinance at Monday's Council Meeting

Cleveland, Ohio-Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb, the city's fourth Black mayor, announced Tuesday funding for two local nonprofit groups to support emergency seasonal shelters and related services for the city's un-housed, homeless community.

The administration's emergency ordinance, passed by city council at its regular meeting on Monday, will provide financial assistance from the city to the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless (NEOCH) and the Metanoia Project.

"We were made aware that some funding for seasonal shelters was running out and my team quickly worked to identify a way that we can step up here at the City-level," said Mayor Bibb in a statement. "We appreciate council's advocacy and quick action in passing this to help bridge the funding gap while we work together, with our other partners towards developing a more sustainable plan and implementing a long-term strategy."

These service providers offer a multitude of options to meet a wide variety of needs that differs depending on each individual's situation, the mayor said.

The city's funds will allow the two organizations to continue to provide an array of services that include direct street outreach and engagement, transportation, housing search assistance, and connection to food pantries and meal boxes. Additional services provided include linkage to care onsite and through partnering agencies, and hotel and other short-term room accommodations.

"At the [US] Senate Select Committee on Housing's hearing held here in Cleveland earlier this month,I stressed the importance of 'doing something' for the un-housed," Bibb said.

Some councilpersons who voted to approved the funding agreed, among others, Cleveland a majority Black major American city, and the largest city in Cuyahoga County, a 29 percent Black county that is a Democratic stronghold..

"The un-housed also deserve protection from the elements. They deserve warm, safe, and dry living conditions," said Ward 7 Councilwoman Stephanie Howse-Jones, who's ward includes the historic Hough neighborhood. "This temporary stopgap provides relief now for many in need of support and I intend to use this as a stepping-stone to provide more resources to our fellow Clevelanders in need."

The financial support for these seasonal shelters, through a County grant and other streams of COVID-related funding that are no longer available, was set to run out by the end of this month.  The cty will provide $225,000 so both organizations can continue services through mid-April to ensure that residents experiencing unsheltered living situations will have the resources and stability they need to seek to transition to permanent housing.

Last week, the city announced more than $3 million in funding to support the homeless community, including more than $1.2 million towards rapid re-housing efforts.  Seven local agencies will utilize that money for various programs designed to support all individuals, youth, families, and older adults in un=housed situations.  The city also opened several of its recreation centers as warming sites last week in anticipation of the cold weather and a winter storm.  More than 140 individuals utilized the warming centers throughout the week, city officials said..

Anyone seeking overnight shelter should call 2-1-1 who will connect homeless people with a variety of overnight shelter and individualized housing options.

Cuyahoga County's Office of Homeless Services coordinates a continuum of care, which includes prevention, shelter services, and permanent supportive housing.  For more information, visit their webpage.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio-Cleveland Mayor Justin M. Bibb and Cuyahoga County Executive Chris Ronayne(both pictured) have announced awardees of multiple grant programs who will utilize the funding for outreach and engagement, emergency shelters, support services, and prevention tactics.

The efforts, they say, are aimed at improving conditions for the local un-housed community in the city and county, a 29 percent Black county that is a Democratic stronghold.

In total, seven local agencies will receive more than $3 million for an array of programming designed to support youth, families, and older adults in un-housed situations.

The announcement comes as poor families and the homeless seek shelter following a snow storm Thursday and Friday that brought some 12 inches of snow and freezing temperatures that hit Northeast Ohio with a vengeance.

“Tackling an issue as large and systemic as this requires a more concerted effort from us here at City Hall to our nonprofit organizations, our philanthropic partners, and other key stakeholders,” said Mayor Bibb in a statement.  “My administration is exploring additional ways that we, as civic leaders, can step up and become more directly involved in finding solutions to this problem.  This is just the beginning.  We’re working with a tremendous sense of urgency and have more exciting announcements on the horizon.”

The funding, allocated by the city’s Department of Community Development and the county’s Office of Homeless Services (OHS), will assist individuals with regaining stability by connecting them with permanent housing options following an un-housed situation.

Those receiving grants include the Emerald Development and Economic Network (EDEN), Journey Center for Safety and Healing, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry, Catholic Charities Corporation, Salvation Army, West Side Catholic Center, and the YWCA of Greater Cleveland.

The awarded agencies will use the money towards programs at the Men’s Shelter, Norma Herr Women’s Center, Bishop Cosgrove Center, St. Augustine Hunger Center, North Point Housing, Moriah House Family Shelter, and the Zelma George Family Shelter.  EDEN will use more than $1.2 million to provide rapid re-housing while the other funds will be used to provide overnight beds, day shelter and meal assistance, domestic violence services, disabilities housing, operational costs support, and other essential care.

“Cuyahoga County is fortunate to partner with many dedicated service agencies who work tirelessly to ensure that anyone experiencing a housing crisis will have the resources and support that they need,” said Executive Ronayne, a Democrat who succeeded Armond Budish into office.  “It is crucial, now more than ever, to fund these vital programs, and I commend the Ohio Department of Development for its support.”

Last week, the city announced that it is opening several of its recreation centers as warming sites in anticipation of the cold weather and have since extended the dates they will be open.  More than 100 individuals have utilized the warming sites throughout the week.  Anyone seeking overnight shelter should call 2-1-1 who will be able to connect you with a variety of shelter and overnight housing options.  The County’s OHS coordinates a continuum of care, which includes prevention, shelter services, and permanent supportive housing.  For more information, visit their webpage.