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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, call
May 2, 2001 Toni Smith(614) 221-9195
Plan to "Rebuild Lives" Has Early Success
Columbus, Ohio-Two years ago, a new plan was created to break the cycle of homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County. The plan, derived from a comprehensive study of the issue, called for a public/private collaboration of resources. "Rebuilding Lives: A New Strategy to House Homeless Men" seeks to revamp the existing emergency shelter system for all users and create 800 units of supportive housing for chronically homeless men, the most difficult group to house. Plan implementers expect to achieve ninety-six percent of the housing goal for the two-year period
CSB released a comprehensive assessment on the status of the Rebuilding Lives plan at their March 26 Board meeting. The seventy-two page report details the adjustments made in the shelter system and the status of each supportive housing project. Each shelter and supportive housing sponsor received an award for their work to end homelessness.
"We are excited to be able to share such positive news with the community about the progress that has been made on the Rebuilding Lives plan," said Steve Rish, chair of the Community Shelter Board (CSB). CSB has taken the lead on shepherding the plan through the five-year implementation.
The supportive housing initiative has generated over 300 units of housing for those individuals with the most difficult needs. Other noteworthy aspects of the Rebuilding Lives plan are the completion of shelter certification and signed Good Neighbor Agreements by all existing CSB-funded shelters and the redistribution of shelters geographically throughout the community.
A Good Neighbor Agreement addresses property maintenance and appearance, neighborhood codes of conduct, community safety and communication. The agreement is between the shelter or supportive housing providers and their neighbors. Good Neighbor Agreements are essential for a shelter to receive CSB funding.
Shelters who received certification are: Catholic Social Services, Inc., Community Engagement Center at Maryhaven, Homeless Families Foundation, Faith Mission, Inc., Friends of the Homeless and the YWCA’s Interfaith Hospitality Network. Supportive Housing developers who received recognition are: Columbus Area Mental Health, Inc., Columbus Health Department, Columbus Neighborhood Health Center, Inc., Community Housing Network, Inc., Department of Veterans Affairs, Friends of the Homeless, Lutheran Social Services, National Church Residences, North Central Mental Health Services, Southeast, Inc., Volunteers of America and the YMCA.
The trustees approved Matt Habash, executive director of
the Mid-Ohio FoodBank, as the recipient of the 2001 Mel Schottenstein Leadership
Award. The award is presented annually to an individual or organization that has
made the most significant difference in the lives of the homeless by creating an
"open door" to homeless families and individuals in crisis.
The Community Shelter Board, established in 1986, is a non-profit intermediary
organization that coordinates community based efforts, fosters collaboration,
and funds services to assist families and individuals in Central Ohio to resolve
their housing crisis. The Community Shelter Board allocates $7.0 million
annually to support programs at 15 agencies. Last year, these programs served
more than 11,000 individuals. The Community Shelter Board is funded by the City
of Columbus, the Franklin County Board of Commissioners, the United Way of
Central Ohio, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the State of
Ohio, and other public and private donors.
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