Ohio senators say HUD OK's mission's expansion

CINCINNATI (AP) — Federal housing officials have cleared the way for an organization’s expansion of efforts to help Cincinnati’s poor and homeless, Ohio’s U.S. senators said today.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Cleveland, and Rob Portman, R-Cincinnati, had been pressing the Department of Housing and Urban Development to resolve fair housing restrictions on deeds of two properties wanted for use in a community-based “Homeless to Homes Plan.” Federal authorities have told the City Gospel Mission that it can move forward as long as it complies with federal nondiscrimination laws on gender and religion, the senators announced jointly.

“Faith-based organizations like Cincinnati’s City Gospel Mission play a crucial role in helping struggling families get back on their feet,” Portman said in a statement. “Bureaucratic red tape from Washington shouldn’t stand in the way of that.”

Brown said the agreement will allow the mission to expand serving of needy Ohioans and providing critical services, while ensuring people are protected against discrimination.