Summit County housing advocates are concerned proposed federal funding cuts would destabilize supportive housing.
The potential cuts come as homelessness is on the rise in Ohio and across the country. Since 2020, Ohio’s homeless population has grown by 10%, while nationally, the population has grown by 33%, according to the Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio. Previous cuts by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, at the direction of the Department of Government Efficiency, have already led housing organizations across the country to cut services.
Summit County Continuum of Care, an organization coordinating housing services, stands to lose millions of dollars to provide supportive housing for those with disabilities or complex medical issues, according to Executive Director Christopher Richardson. The model combines permanent housing with targeted support services to help recipients maintain healthcare, secure income and avoid institutionalization, according to the organization…