How the Central Access Point Helpline connects callers to healthcare. Housing is healthcare. Experiencing homeless has profound and far-reaching impacts on a person's health. Especially for someone sleeping "unsheltered". That is, in a place not meant for human habitation. Is 4x as likely to die as someone sleeping indoors. Some impacts are obvious. Physical exposure to [...]
Families living unsheltered found thanks to new Pilot Program Our local homeless services system never had a true picture of the number of families experiencing unsheltered - or street - homelessness. Until now. Usually, families start their journey to housing by calling the Central Access Point (CAP) Helpline. And some families can stay where they [...]
Evictions filings are on the rise - again. Data shows there have been 1,224 eviction filings across the Cincinnati area in the past month, according to national eviction tracker Eviction Lab. Mt. Airy and Westwood lead the list. WCPO reports filings are at 107% of pre-Covid numbers. And experts know why. "Sadly, I think we haven't [...]
Youth who age out of foster care are at a much higher risk of experiencing homelessness. According to the Annie E. Casey Foundation more than 19,000 youth age out of foster care each year in the United States. Their findings go on, "one in five report experiencing homelessness between ages 17 and 19, and over one in four (29%) [...]
There are several homeless shelters in Cincinnati. Some assist families and others assist single adults experiencing homelessness. But if you need help, there's no need to contact all of them. If you are experiencing homelessness or are about to become homeless, please call the CAP Helpline at 513-381-7233. The CAP Helpline will [...]
"Every town, no matter how small, needs a good library." Growing up, or raising your own children, you may have felt like you 'lived at the library'. Well now, you can. From educational programs and free lunches to 3D Printing and Pickleball, libraries are transforming communities in novel ways. Always a safe place of [...]
"Of all the applicants, they had the widest net of people at risk of homelessness. This is very exciting." In 2023, Cincinnati City Council set aside just over $2 million in funding to be put toward one project that Councilmembers thought had the greatest potential to reduce evictions and housing loss in the city. The Human [...]
The LGBTQ+ community is overrepresented within the homeless population. According to a study by the UCLA Williams Institute published in 2020, lesbian/gay/bisexual/queer "adults are twice as likely as the general population to have experienced homelessness in their lifetime." And, during the prior year, "8% of transgender adults experienced homelessness." Additionally, LGBTQ+ youth may lose housing after [...]
"Using punitive measures to respond to homelessness, such as arresting and/or fining people who sleep outside, is not new." But such measures don't address the real causes of homelessness: a lack of affordable housing and accessible supportive services. That's why homeless services organizations across the Country are Advocating for Person-Centered Responses to Homelessness. And promoting humane, [...]
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Access to mental healthcare is essential for everyone. But experiencing homelessness can exacerbate mental illnesses. And can make it more difficult to get treatment. Local Partners Offering Mental Healthcare Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services (GCBHS) is the largest mental healthcare provider in the Greater Cincinnati region. They serve more [...]
