COALITION ON HOMELESSNESS AND HOUSING IN OHIO

Launched in 2008, COHHIO’s SSI Ohio Project helps expedite the SSI/SSDI application process, reduce barriers and increase the number of homeless disabled individuals receiving SSI/SSDI benefits for the first time. In 2013, nearly $3.36 million in disability benefits were secured, including $1.7 million in yearly allotments for 261 SSI awards,
$751,000 for 135 SSDI awards, more than $885,000 for 231 SSI/SSDI back awards,
and nearly $20,000 for 2 combined SSI/SSDI back award payments.

Since July 2009, the combined SSI/SSDI back awards have totaled nearly $4.9 million, while the combined yearly allotment for the same period exceeds $10.95 million for 1,853 awards.

COHHIO's Tenant Outreach program focuses on stabilizing rental households, expanding housing choice and inclusion, organizing tenant communities, preserving affordable housing and advocating for tenants rights. Staff members provide direct
assistance to tenants (especially those living in Federally assisted
properties) and training and technical assistance to housing service providers around the state.  Through strategic partnerships with local municipalities and state housing programs (OHFA, ODMH, ODOD), COHHIO participates in planning for safe, decent, fair and affordable rental housing for all Ohioans.

In 2011, COHHIO’s Tenant Outreach program received 476 calls
seeking tenant information, held 14 meetings with 47 tenant
groups resulting in 1,778 tenant contacts, managed 120 fair housing or household stabilization cases, reached 356 people through 12 workshops on fair housing or tenants’ rights, and provided 756 contacts in 82 organizations with project-specific technical assistance, and had a total of 4,852 contacts with
23 stabilization or preservation related networks.

Each year, COHHIO’s Training and Technical Assistance program delivers tools and knowledge to approximately 200 community-based organizations. This includes trainings and seminars, site visits, workshops, meeting with government officials, distributing printed materials, and conducting an annual resource-rich statewide conference with state and national experts as speakers. These organizations we serve in this capacity in turn offer housing assistance and supportive services to homeless individuals and families in each of the state's 88 counties.

In 2011, COHHIO had 375 annual conference attendees,
provided intensive technical assistance to 170 community-based nonprofit organizations across the state, responded to over 400 phone calls from individuals seeking housing assistance, and offered 20 local, regional and statewide trainings that reached more than 500 individuals.

COHHIO pushes for systemic changes to benefit people in need. Our primary efforts focus on increasing affordable and supportive housing and reducing homelessness in the state. As is often the case, however, we respond quickly to legislation
that threatens our state’s vulnerable and disenfranchised populations. In recent years our advocacy efforts broadened to include consumer and voter protection and foreclosure reform.

COHHIO continued successful efforts to protect the Ohio Housing Trust Fund, a revenue source that serves critical housing needs, from budget raids during the biennial budget session. COHHIO was able to effectively demonstrate the efficacy of the OHTF and the value it brings to the state’s economy. The OHTF received full funding in the 2012-2013 biennium budget. COHHIO helped facilitate productive working relationships between nonprofit homeowner counselors and OHFA’s. COHHIO directed efforts among voter advocates to develop research and education on issues that impact voting, including the consolidation of precincts and the elimination of early voting hours. COHHIO continued to lead efforts to create and preserve 6,000 units of permanent supportive housing by 2014.