CLEVELAND, Ohio – Hundreds of women and children are waiting for shelter space every day in the Cleveland area, and one of the region’s family shelters is warning the crisis will intensify when the school year ends.
Laura’s Home Women’s Crisis Center, a women and children’s shelter operated by The City Mission, a nonprofit, has a daily waitlist of 250 to 300 people, according to Chief Operating Officer Michael Hahn. The facility, located at 18120 Avenue, has been at full capacity for years.
Now, Laura’s Home is at again full capacity, reflecting the severe shortage of safe shelter for mothers and children throughout Greater Cleveland. The center said it has held a permanent waitlist for more than 10 years and today is serving 53 women and 66 children in its long-term residential program…