CINCINNATI — In Ohio, more than 10,200 people are homeless every day, according to data from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, and an organization in southwest Ohio is working to help.
What You Need To Know
- Nearly 10,200 Ohioans are homeless every day
- Strategies to End Homelessness is helping people in Hamilton County find shelter and housing
- The Hamilton County Commissioners invested $3 million of federal funding into the Shelter Diversion Program
- The program helps people on the verge of becoming homeless find housing and provide resources to keep them independent
For five years, Latonya Williams and her daughter have been homeless. She had been living between her niece’s and mother’s houses.
“It was a lot because I had to live with my momma,” said Williams. “I take care of my momma, but still you want your own place.”
Not only was it a challenge for her, but for her daughter as well.
“Kids pick on my daughter about having her own room and you live with your grandma. You don’t have your own room,” she said. “And then she gained weight during the pandemic.”
With no job or money to contribute, Williams knew her time was running out living with her family.
“I knew I couldn’t stay there because that’s her place and you have to have your own lease,” she said. “So I had to hurry up and get out and get my own.”
At first, moving into a shelter seemed like the only option. But then she found out about the Strategies to End Homelessness Shelter Diversion Program. It helps people who are at immediate risk of being homeless find housing and provide services to help them stay independent.
With help from the program, Williams finally moved into her own place in Dec. 2021.
“They paid my deposit, they pay my rent for six months,” she said. “They got my electric where I don’t still don’t owe nothing.”
Just recently, the Hamilton County Commissioners approved $3 million in federal funding to expand the shelter division program.
Strategies to End Homelessness President Kevin Finn said on average it cost nearly $1,600 to help people in their program. But it would cost more than $4,000 to help people after they’ve already been in the shelter.
“If we can provide this service for just up to six months, it has the best outcomes of any outcome of any program in our community in terms of people not being homeless in the future,” said Finn.
Williams is one of 283 Hamilton County residents to receive help from the program in 2021.
On average, the program provides help with housing, mental health and food services for six months. Not only did it help give Williams gain her confidence back, but she said it also gave her independence and more.
“I like decorating, having parties, and just relaxing,” she said. “It feel good. It feel beautiful.”
