Franklin County Commissioners Applauded

for Continued Support for Programs to End Homelessness

COLUMBUS, OHIO, November 25, 2003—The community has expressed its continuing support for the Rebuilding Lives initiative and the Safety Net programs that address homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County.

Today the Franklin County Commissioners expressed their support by approving continued funding of $775,000 and $805,911, respectively for the Rebuilding Lives initiative and the Safety Net programs of the Community Shelter Board. These funding commitments were adopted as part of the 2004 Franklin County general fund budget.

“The Community Shelter Board is very grateful to the Commissioners for their strong leadership and support,” stated Floyd V. Jones, Chair of CSB.

Led by CSB, the Rebuilding Lives plan is a two-pronged approach to ending homelessness and literally “rebuilding lives.” In July of 1999, the Community Shelter Board, with tremendous collaboration among providers and funders began implementing the Rebuilding Lives plan, which addresses short-term needs through emergency shelter and long-term needs through supportive housing. Currently 340 units of supportive housing are operational, with another 177 units in the development process – 32 of these units will open in early 2004.

Denise Cornett, a resident of Rebuilding Lives supportive housing, expresses her gratitude. “I stayed at a homeless shelter for women for a long time before I found my apartment at The Commons at Grant. I feel secure knowing that this is my home. The staff will help you find what you need. This is the next level of my journey for which I am so grateful.”

The Community Shelter Board’s Safety Net programs include emergency shelter, direct housing, and supportive services in shelter. Beyond providing a secure and clean place to stay, all programs are geared toward assisting homeless families and individuals quickly exit the shelter system and move into appropriate housing. More than 800 families and 7,000 single adults are served annually by these programs.

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 $7.5 million annually to support programs at 13 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.