1. Homelessness in Cleveland
Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless

2. Overview of the Problem
Over 5,000 used the shelters
Cleveland lost 460 shelter beds
NEOCH estimates over 23,000 homeless in Cuyahoga County
3,000 unique kids in the school district homeless
55,000 in need of a housing subsidy
Neither disability or minimum wage will allow a person to afford rent.

3. Current Holes in the System
Not Enough Shelter Beds esp. for families/pregnant women
Diversion
No Transparency
No Oversight by Government
Housing is Healthcare
Addiction is a Health Issue
Jobs/Income
Definition of Homelessness
Debt and Legal Help

4. A couple of examples of the hardships families face
Picture of a Meeting

5. Trends in Homelessness
Dramatic Increase in families
Women’s shelter overflowing
Veterans Homelessness Down
We are actually working on Youth
Coordinated Intake Good and Bad

6. Why are we seeing so many families becoming homeless?
Pent up demand in the system
Need to find a job that pays over $14 per hour to afford the fair market rent.
Rental Market Never adjusted affordability
People are not perfect
Have not built affordable housing for families in years.

7. What Are Your Biggest Issues Facing Your Clients?

8. What is NEOCH? Street Newspaper Street Card
Coordination of Outreach/Donations
Housing Cleveland.org
Advocacy/Civil Rights
Voting Activities
Special Events
Public Education
Homeless Congress
Public Policy Experts
Website--Resources

9. How does NEOCH Respond? We Raise the voices of homeless people
We bring the issues to City Hall
We educate the public and dispel myths.
We bring groups together to solve problems.
We protect the civil rights of Homeless People
We publish some solution papers and advocacy alerts.

10. Housing Cleveland Website
Free Service
700 Units Available today
Case Manager can login to get additional Information
Features Pictures, bus line, closest school, disability information for a unit.
Regularly updated and overseen by NEOCH/2-1-1

11. Resources that you can use
Homeless Street Card
HousingCleveland.org
NEOCH.org
Outreach Assistance
Fair Housing Brochure
Coordinated Intake for Rapid Rehousing
ID Help

12. Referral Information Drop In Centers/Libraries
Mental Health Services
Detox Services-Sal Army
Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services—Stella Maris
Care Alliance Clinics
Youth Programs
Pregnant Women
Clothing Help
Hygiene Kits --Showers
Re-Entry Center at North Star
Towards Employment
Cosgrove/West Side Catholic
SOAR Program—SSI
Veterans –CRRC/Outreach
School District –Project ACT
Domestic Violence/Rape Crisis
Entitlement Sign Up
Help Me Grow
Human Trafficking—Seasons of Hope

14. What Can You do to Help? Volunteer/Serve on a local Board
Save some room for Advocacy/Lobbying
Support the Coalition and our Agenda
Dispel Myths about Homelessness including the myth of work and suburban homelessness.

15. For More Information
For More information and to sign up as a volunteer or become a member go to:
Feeding downtown picture

16. Questions?