Cleveland mayor announces ‘A Home for Every Neighbor’

CLEVELAND, Ohio — More than 10,000 Ohioans have no permanent place to call home tonight, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness, including about 1,500 in Cuyahoga County.

On Friday, Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb announced a new initiative that will focus on helping the city’s unsheltered find permanent housing.

It’s called A Home for Every Neighbor, and the city is currently seeking proposals from prospective vendors who can enter targeted areas to reach out to those living out in the elements to help them transition into a stable shelter.

Vendors will also be required to provide supportive services to help set those formerly unhoused up for success.

The request for proposals offers a nearly $2 million budget from the city’s general revenue funds to bring the program to life, with the outlined plan the result of a collaboration with community organizations like the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, who help those who are unsheltered every day.

“We have stereotypes and fears that have been ingrained in us,” said Chris Knestrick, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless. “And, you know, I think all of that is ultimately, like, can be eliminated by an encounter. A really human encounter with someone. Whether they’re sleeping under a bridge in our community or whether they’re kind of meeting them in their worst day and seeing their humanity.”

Knestrick said the city of Cleveland guarantees shelter to anyone in need, but there are reasons people choose to sleep outside instead. He said he’s excited the city is taking a focused approach to addressing this issue that’s only gotten worse since the pandemic.

Proposals from service providers are due to the city March 25, with a May 1 anticipated start date for the program.

The funds earmarked for the program are in addition to the nearly $3 million in grants Cleveland’s Department of Community Development and Cuyahoga County’s Office of Homeless Services awarded earlier this year to seven organizations assisting those who are homeless.