AS THE NEED FOR SAFE & AFFORDABLE HOUSING GROWS, OUCAN MEMBERS ARE RESPONDING

A remarkable headline recently caught my attention announcing that Cincinnati Public Schools have served more than 300 people by instituting a "first-in-the-nation" safe sleep parking lot program. The idea is that a school parking lot is designated for students whose families are living in their vehicles. They can safely park in this lot overnight, have access to hygiene facilities, and receive goods and services to ultimately help them gain shelter and stability. The program is both novel and clearly impactful. Yet, we know that it is just one of many efforts in Ohio's urban communities aimed at alleviating homelessness - many of which are directly linked to OUCAN member agencies.

The need for shelter programs - as underscored by the example of the Cincinnati Public Schools' Safe Sleep Parking Program - takes on special significance in October which represents both the observance of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the start of autumn, meaning cooler weather and falling temperatures. On the surface these two things may not seem to be related, but shelter staff will attest that violence at home and cold weather outside are two very common reasons why people seek help at shelters.

When the threat of violence and inclement weather are combined with adverse economic and societal conditions, it creates the perfect storm for straining low-income housing and shelter services. The most recent ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report using 2024 data showed that as many as 37% of Ohio households faced financial hardship that could jeopardize their ability to maintain safe and affordable housing. Of course, no one is more keenly aware of this reality than the community action teams who serve on the front lines of the fight against poverty in our communities.

In this edition of the OUCAN newsletter, you'll see two stories highlighting the work of OUCAN member agencies to address the need for safe housing in Ohio's urban centers. Specifically, IMPACT Community Action in Columbus is partnering with Columbus Resilient Housing Initiative to address the steep increase in homelessness in central Ohio in recent years. At the same time, Miami Valley Community Action Partnership (MVCAP) is set to re-open its Greenville domestic violence shelter after completing extensive renovation aimed at expanding the shelter's capacity and improving services and accommodations.

These stories are just two examples of the work OUCAN members are doing on the ground to address the increasing need for access to safe and affordable housing, and interim supports to assist people as they transition from homelessness to stability.

This October we are reminded that the growing number of factors contributing to homelessness will continue to require new and innovative responses as well as additional resources, supports, and poverty fighting policies. At OUCAN, we will continue to shine a light on the incredible work our individual members are doing in our urban communities, while also amplifying our collective voice in promoting policies preventing poverty and homelessness.