Thank you for being a partner in the fight to end homelessness!
You make Cincinnati a kinder and more equitable community.
Read on for recent news and views about homelessness and
affordable housing here, and across the nation.
Have a question or a comment? Let’s hear from you!
We Can End Homelessness
Locally, 2022 marked the first year that unsheltered homelessness dropped below pre-pandemic levels. Only 6% of people who are literally homeless in Hamilton County exclusively sleep outside on the streets and unsheltered, never entering an emergency shelter.
An additional 6% spend part of their year unsheltered. But also spent part of the year in emergency shelter. In total, 12% of people experiencing homelessness slept outside for some period of time during the year.
This compares favorably to the national average of 40% of people experiencing homelessness being unsheltered on the streets.
Recently, Ann Olivia from the National Alliance to End Homelessness spoke with Marketplace on what we can learn from U.S. Cities where unsheltered homelessness is trending downward. Including Houston, TX and Chattanooga, TN just to name two.
Full year 2023 Cincinnati/Hamilton County Homeless Management Information System Data will be released soon. Our goal is to continue this positive trend.
Unsheltered Homelessness
The dangers of sleeping unsheltered can’t be understated. And while the number of people in Cincinnati sleeping on the street or in places not meant for human habitation is decreasing, even one person sleeping outside is too many.
While we work to help provide shelter and make housing available for as many people as possible – your help is needed!
If you see someone sleeping unsheltered, please send a report discreetly and quickly using the StreetReach app. A trained Street Outreach Worker will be dispatched to provide help.
Winter Shelter
Homelessness knows no season.
But in cold weather, sleeping outside can be dangerous and even deadly.
Let’s ensure our homeless neighbors have a safe, warm place to sleep this winter. With generosity from the community, we help provide funding and support to non-profits, churches and other groups in Greater Cincinnati to meet the needs of our neighbors.
For many, coming in from the cold into a winter shelter is a first step into the larger, local homeless services system and, hopefully, housing stability.
If you are in the position to provide financial support, please visit: wintershelter.org.
