Funds to house the homeless coming to help Valley’s needy

Several Mahoning Valley agencies received funding.

By MARC KOVAC

VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT

COLUMBUS — A state board has signed off on more than $17.6 million in funding to assist needy Ohioans find and keep housing.

The Controlling Board, without comment Monday, OK’d the release of the funding through the state’s Homeless Assistance Grant Program, as was recommended earlier this year by the Ohio Housing Trust Fund.

Ninety-four agencies — 90 nonprofit groups, two government-related offices and two public housing authorities — will use the funds to assist 86,000 individuals, according to board documents.

A total of 116 grant applications seeking about $23.6 million in grants were considered.

A number of agencies in Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties were among the funding recipients:

UBeatitude House (Mahoning County) will receive $294,200,including $238,200 for transitional housing services for 22 households (74 people) and $56,000 to support permanent housing options for 12 households (36 people). The programs serve homeless women and children in Mahoning and Trumbull counties, according to documents.

UMeridian Services Inc. (Mahoning County) will receive $34,000 to provide emergency rent and utility payments for eight individuals.

UThe YMCA of Youngstown will receive $94,700 for its Barbara M. Wick transitional housing program for homeless women and children. Support services will be provided to 38 households (53 people).

UTrumbull Lifelines will receive $162,700 to provide transitional housing and support services to homeless youths (age 18-22). Rental assistance will be offered to 15 households or individuals, according to documents.

UThe Community Action Agency of Columbiana County will receive $250,800, with $110,800 dedicated to emergency shelter services and $140,000 for homeless prevention activities. The center will operate a 15-bed emergency shelter to serve homeless individuals and families. The funding will provide case management, referral and otherassistance to 240 households (336 people). The center also plans to provide emergency rent and utility payments to 340 households (1,020 people) and foreclosure prevention services to 60 households (180 people). The center had sought $310,800 in funding for the efforts, according to documents.

UThe Columbiana County Mental Health Clinic will receive $193,100, with $15,000 for homeless prevention services and $178,100 for permanent housing support. The clinic will provide emergency rent and utility payments and rental and utility deposits for about 23 households (40 people) who have been diagnosed with mental illnesses. It also will offer 14 one-bedroom and two two-bedroom apartments to low-income residents with persistent mental illnesses. Six of the units will be reserved for homeless youth. The program will serve 45 households (49 people),according to documents.

In other business, the Controlling Board approved the release of $23,500 to purchase exhaust fans for the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown. Aerotech Mechanical Contractors of Youngstown will complete the project.

mkovac@dixcom.com