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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