October 4, 1999

HOUSING GROUP TAKES FIRST STEP
IN CREATING HOUSING FOR HOMELESS MEN

A group of local social service organizations is gearing up to consider the first round of applications to fund permanent housing for homeless men. The Rebuilding Lives Funder Collaborative, the organization that oversees the development of housing for homeless men in Franklin County, is soliciting qualifications and project concepts from local not-for-profit organizations. This marks a major step toward meeting the goal to develop 800 units of supportive housing over the next five years, as recommended by the Rebuilding Lives initiative of the Scioto Peninsula Relocation Task Force. According to the plan, 340 units will be developed in the first two years.

"This is an important move forward for Rebuilding Lives," said Barbara Poppe, executive director of Community Shelter Board. "The housing that is built as a result of this process will help ensure that homeless men in our community have access to a permanent place to live, job training and treatment services. It is our hope that some of this housing will be complete by summer of 2000."

The funding process introduces a new player in Columbus’ homelessness network. The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), a national organization with expertise in service-enriched, affordable housing, is supporting the Collaborative by providing technical assistance during both the predevelopment stage and throughout the project development. CSH also is providing predevelopment financing and grants.

The housing is designed for permanent occupancy, not emergency shelter. Applicants must demonstrate a successful track record in developing and operating low-income housing, managing facilities or delivering supportive services.

The Funder Collaborative will accept submissions on a quarterly basis, with the first deadline being November 11, 1999. A pre-submission conference will be held October 5, 1999, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission. Selection decisions for the first round of submissions will be made by late December 1999.

As part of their proposal, applicants must submit a project "concept paper," including a supportive services plan and a proposed site. Sites may consist of a single building, a cluster of smaller buildings within close proximity to one another, or a primary site with one or more satellite sites.

The Funder Collaborative is composed of representatives of the following entities: Veterans Service Commission, ADAMH Board, Franklin County Office on Aging, Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, United Way, City of Columbus Department of Trade & Development, Columbus Health Department, Columbus Medical Association Foundation, Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority; Franklin County Department of Human Services; Columbus Foundation; Ohio Capital Corporation for Housing; Community Shelter Board; Columbus City Council; and Franklin County Board of Commissioners. In addition to selecting applicants, the Funder Collaborative also will be responsible for establishing expected outcomes and reporting requirements.

The Rebuilding Lives plan was developed last year by the Scioto Peninsula Relocation Task Force. The task force studied the problem of homelessness in Columbus and found that 15 percent of homeless men in Franklin County use 50 percent of all shelter services. The task force’s plan to end this cycle of homelessness included the creation of permanent, affordable housing combined with counseling, job training and other services. As part of this plan, 800 supportive housing units will be built throughout central Ohio.

 

# # #

 

Home | Who We Are | What's New | Programs | Agency Resources | Results
Publications | Continuum of Care | Links |  How to Give |  Mel Schottenstein

Community Shelter Board   614-221-9195   info@csb.org