On January 11, the Lucas County commissioners voted to provide an additional $476,000 in housing assistance to support residents who are experiencing unexpected homelessness during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Throughout the pandemic, Lucas County has taken steps to alleviate the detrimental impacts of the coronavirus to our residents, especially those who are most vulnerable, including people experiencing homelessness,” said President Gary Byers. “We want to make sure that people facing homelessness are connected to the resources they need to find housing quickly instead of being placed on wait lists or entering congregate facilities.”
The commissioners approved $376,000 in funding for the Housing Problem Solving program, an initiative of the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board, which employs strategies designed to prevent or shorten the duration of homelessness for residents of Lucas County.
The program is designed to use fewer resources to provide the necessary support for individuals and families to keep them from experiencing chronic homelessness. Since launching in August, it has served nearly 200 people.
In a separate resolution, the commissioners authorized $100,000 for the board to support the emergency hotel/motel service program, which provides up to 30 days of interim housing for individuals experiencing homelessness to address the increased need that has complicated social distancing inside shelters.
“Lucas County is committed to dedicating as much as we can to efforts to help individuals and families who are struggling from job loss or income instability due to the pandemic,” said Commissioner Tina Skeldon Wozniak. “We are happy to allocate additional funding to help ensure that we have fewer people on the streets and continue our longstanding partnership with the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board.”
“The extension of these two critical programs will allow the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board to continue providing resources and assistance for the county’s unhoused population,” said Commissioner Pete Gerken. “This week’s blustery winter weather is a reminder of the threat that some of the most vulnerable people in our community are facing, and that threat is not having a place to stay.”
In November 2020, the commissioners approved $100,000 in CARES Act funds to the board for unanticipated costs related to the pandemic.
Last June, the agency also received $10,000 through FEMA’s public assistance program to provide meals for individuals and families in the isolation and quarantine center.
