The CoC assists individuals and families to find appropriate permanent housing destinations using available resources from partnering agencies and focused case management. HOUSINGfirst, an initiative established in 2002, moves people into stable housing with links to additional services and treatment programs available onsite. By producing sufficient, permanent supportive housing units, Cuyahoga County can respond to the long-term needs of individuals and families impacted by chronic homelessness in a more cost-effective manner.
Today, 710 permanent supportive housing units are occupied or in development in Cuyahoga County. Increases in single adult exits to permanent housing can be attributed to rapid re-housing. Family data are reported as “persons in families”- the lower number for 2018 may reflect smaller household size as well as the effect of longer stays reducing exits overall. Future priorities for the CoC in this area include:
- Implementing targeted case management for housing stability,
- Identifying and developing improved landlord/rental options,
- Increasing subsidies for permanent housing for homeless persons and families, and
- Continuing to build system capacity to quickly move people for homelessness to housing.