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OHIO Controlling Board releases funds to fight homelessness
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
The state Controlling Board released more than $22 million Monday for efforts to combat homelessness, including programs offered in Mahoning, Trumbull and Stark counties.
A total of $11.2 million will go to 43 nonprofit and local government agencies through the state’s Homeless Crisis Response Program, covering emergency shelters, case management, job training and other services to help individuals and families find housing.
The Greater Warren Youngstown Urban League will receive $190,500 of the funds, the Alliance for Children and Families Inc. in Stark County will get $132,400 and Community Services of Stark County will receive $157,400, according to documents.
Lawmakers also signed off on $11 million through the Supportive Housing Program for services offered by 48 nonprofit groups.
Recipients include the Alliance for Children and Families ($500,000-plus) and ICAN Inc. ($246,000) in Stark County, the Columbiana County Mental Health Clinic ($118,000), Coleman Professional Services Inc. in Trumbull County ($108,500) and the Young Women’s Christian Association of Youngstown ($108,500).
The funds will be used for transitional housing and related services for the homeless.
In other business Monday, the lawmaker panel released more than $340,000 for renovations at the Ohio State Penitentiary in Youngstown.
Nearly $314,000 will be used to improve restrooms at the penitentiary’s prison camp, which was used for male inmates before closing four years ago. Officials plan to renovate the facilities for use for female prisoners, including replacing urinals with toilets, according to documents.
An additional $29,398.43 will be used to install coaxial cable at the camp, reconnecting lines that were disconnected when the camp was shut down.