Friday, April 3, 2026
For more than a decade, the Homeless to Homes Plan has played a vital role in ensuring single people experiencing homelessness in Cincinnati/Hamilton County receive safe shelter. And the clinical, behavioral health, and case management support needed to move toward long‑term stability. Led by Strategies to End Homelessness and funded by the Hamilton County Indigent Care Levy, the initiative continues to demonstrate that homelessness is solvable when a community invests in coordinated care.
Homeless to Homes: A Collaborative System
Born out of a 2009 community‑wide effort, the Homeless to Homes Plan created a coordinated framework focused on dignity, quality services, and better outcomes for single adults. The shelter collaborative includes:
Lighthouse Youth & Family Services
City Gospel Mission, Lighthouse Youth & Family Services, Shelterhouse, and Talbert House—works in partnership to meet the medical and behavioral health needs of residents. All while working to transition them away from shelter and into stable housing.
The Central Access Point (CAP) Helpline serves as the gateway to the system. The CAP Helpline serves as the front door to this system, placing people into the shelters over the phone and via text.
Bringing Health Services Directly to Shelters
A defining feature of Homeless to Homes is the expansion of onsite medical and behavioral healthcare. Before the plan, the shelters closed during the day, leaving individuals without access to essential services. Now, clinicians, behavioral health counselors, and case managers are integrated into daily operations.
NeighborHub Health, Cincy Smiles, and Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health Services provide primary care, dental treatment, counseling, recovery services, and support with disability benefits. All to ensure that care is accessible and reducing unnecessary emergency room use.
Shelters That Address Unique Needs
Each Homeless to Homes facility offers specialized services:
City Gospel Mission supports men with addiction and mental health treatment through onsite medical and behavioral health partners.
Lighthouse Sheakley Center for Youth provides safe, trauma‑informed shelter and healthcare for young adults ages 18–24.
Shelterhouse’s Barron Center for Men offers a state-of-the-art medical facility staffed with a nurse practitioner and doctor. Mental health support, recovery programming, and drug and alcohol assessments are also provided.
Hatton Center for Women offer full medical clinic (including specialized care for pregnant women), mental health support, and recovery programming.
Talbert House Parkway Center delivers residential treatment and transitional housing, with newly approved zoning enabling expansion into emergency shelter operations.
2025 at a Glance: Who Was Served
In 2025, the system served 3,448 unique individuals, providing 124,476 bednights. The majority of clients were men (71%) and most identified as Black or African American (60%).
Housing outcomes remain strong:
69.5% of households exited to positive housing
80% maintained stable housing for at least 24 months
Income outcomes dipped due to external factors including the loss of state SOAR technical assistance and federal processing delays. But shelters continued to help many navigate employment and benefits barriers.
A System That Continues to Show What is Possible
Despite economic shifts, capacity constraints, and funding challenges, the Homeless to Homes plan remains one of Cincinnati and Hamilton County’s most effective tools in preventing and ending homelessness. The long‑term housing stability rate, 80% in 2025, demonstrates the success of the plan.
Together, these efforts show that homelessness is not inevitable. With the right resources, collaboration, and community commitment, stability is within reach for thousands of our neighbors each year.
The Hamilton County Indigent Care Levy provides on-going support. And many local foundations and individuals made one-time and multi-year gifts. Collaborating partner 3CDC has a comprehensive list of these funders.
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