Rep. Brent announces more than $1.6 million in funds to address homelessness in Northeast Ohio

State Representative Juanita Brent (D-Cleveland) today announced two projects to address homelessness in Cuyahoga County. Some $1,460,000 in state funds will go toward rapid re-housing assistance for men, women and families, while another $200,000 will go to help fund the YMCA of Greater Cleveland’s Norma Herr Women’s Shelter.

“Ensuring low-income Ohioans have quality housing is the first step toward restoring our promise of better lives and brighter futures for all Ohioans,” said state Rep. Brent. “Addressing issues of homelessness and mental health takes a commitment—and an investment from state leaders. It is great to see these funds go to programs that do just that.”

State funds will provide re-housing assistance to 3,000 households over the next two years. Key partners in the rapid re-housing program include Emerald Development and Economic Network, Inc. and Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons in Cuyahoga County.

Rep. Brent also announced $200,000 for case management, referrals to community service providers, permanent housing placement and other support services for the Norma Herr Women’s Shelter in Cleveland. Funds will help serve more than 1,700 women over the next two years.

“Women and families represent the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. Homeless women are at higher risk of injury and illness. With that said, it is necessary to undertake efforts to expand community-based services for them and that is what this funding will help with,” added Brent.

YWCA of Greater Cleveland projects that 70 percent of shelter residents will exit to a permanent destination with an average length of stay of 60 days.