March 9, 2016

CINCINNATI –  Strategies to End Homelessness has secured more than $14.7 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide supportive housing to people who have been homeless, living on the streets and in emergency shelters, in Hamilton County.

The $14.7 million awarded in Cincinnati and Hamilton County was a part of a nearly $1.6 billion in grants announced by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Julián Castro on Tuesday.

“A safe, stable home is the foundation for opportunity in all of our lives,” said Secretary Castro. “That’s why we’re continuing to challenge communities to deploy proven strategies to help people experiencing homelessness find a place to call home.”

The funding comes through HUD’s “Continuum of Care for the Homeless” program. This year’s grants were awarded in the most competitive environment HUD has experienced in this program.  To compete, communities focused on programs with strong outcomes, projects that will have a substantial and lasting impact on homeless populations.

The Cincinnati/Hamilton County Continuum of Care is overseen by local non-profit organization Strategies to End Homelessness, Inc., which applied for and will also serve as the fiscal agent for the funds awarded on Tuesday. Strategies to End Homelessness, Inc. will partner with more than 15 other local non-profit organizations which will utilize this funding to assist homeless people back into housing.

“To end homelessness, we must offer solutions that efficiently and effectively help homeless people move back into housing,” says Kevin Finn, president/CEO of Strategies to End Homelessness. “HUD is providing our community with this funding because our partner agencies have proven outcomes, including returning people to housing, helping them find employment, and working to ensure that people do not become homeless again.”

This first round of funding supports permanent supportive housing, rapid re-housing, and transitional housing programs for persons coming off the streets and exiting emergency shelters. Local agencies providing services include:

  • Bethany House Services
  • The Center for Independent Living Options (CILO)
  • Caracole, Inc.
  • Cincinnati Union Bethel
  • Excel Development
  • Freestore Foodbank
  • Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services
  • Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Cincinnati
  • Lighthouse Youth Services
  • Ohio Valley Goodwill Industries
  • Over the Rhine Community Housing
  • Shelterhouse (a.k.a Drop Inn Center)
  • Talbert House
  • Tender Mercies
  • The Salvation Army
  • The YWCA of Greater Cincinnati

An additional $4.8 million for housing projects and supportive services is still available through the HUD Continuum of Care program. Announcement of the second round of funding will be made later this spring.

 

 

About Strategies to End Homelessness

Strategies to End Homelessness leads a coordinated community effort to end homelessness in Greater Cincinnati.  Working in partnership with 30 homeless service providers, STEH oversees the Homeless to Homes and Solutions for Family Homelessness plans.  The comprehensive system of care integrates a centralized emergency shelter hotline, homelessness prevention, street outreach, the emergency shelter system and housing solutions to bring an unprecedented level of coordination and effectiveness within the homeless service system.  According to 2014 data, homeless numbers have dropped to the lowest level since 2010. Through the work of Strategies to End Homelessness, Cincinnati is recognized nationally as a leader in implementing innovative and effective programs to end homelessness.  Strategies to End Homelessness is funded in part by the the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, is a United Way Agency Partner, and a Better Business Bureau Accredited Charity. To learn more about Strategies to End Homelessness, and the community’s integrated network of homeless services agencies, visit: www.strategiestoendhomelessness.org

 

MEDIA CONTACTS: 

Kevin Finn

President & CEO, Strategies to End Homelessness

cell 513-708-8054

kfinn@end-homelessness.org

 

Tamie Sullivan

Sullivan Communications

513-252-5565

tsullivan1@cinci.rr.com

Tamara Sullivan

Sullivan Communications, Inc.

Creating Strategic Communications

 

513.583.1433 phone

513.252.5565 cell

tsullivan1@cinci.rr.com