homeless

While the majority of individuals who don’t have access to safe and secure housing are in their situations due to economic reasons, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 20 to 25 percent of the homeless population in the United States suffers from some form of severe mental illness.

According to local service agency Shelterhouse, almost 8,000 Cincinnatians, including children, are homeless. A variety of factors can lead to homelessness, including mental illness, drug addiction, traumatic events and personal crisis.

Homelessness doesn’t just affect adults – it can affect entire families. 

Greater Cincinnati social worker Rachael Winters and Northern Kentucky University students Justin Hill and Brittney Kane have developed an app that is designed to get homeless people the help they need and off the streets.

Homelessness is a serious and continuing problem in Greater Cincinnati, on both sides of the Ohio River. In 2013, the State of Kentucky ranked worst in the nation in the extent of child homelessness. And the number of sheltered individuals in Kenton, Boone and Campbell Counties increased by more than 60 percent in 2014.

While a recent report shows the number of people who are on the streets or staying at emergency shelters has decreased locally, last year there were still nearly 8,000 individuals counted on the streets, in shelters and in transitional housing programs in Hamilton County.

Another night of frigid temperatures means an overflow crowd at the Drop Inn Center.

In the warmth of the shelter, Ron Stewart explains a failed relationship put him on the streets and this facility has been helping him for the past three weeks. He is singing the praises of the Drop Inn Center which provides him with a place to eat and sleep, and a way out of homelessness.

Stewart says, "I'm making friends. I have a support system and I'm looking forward to being in my own place by the beginning of next month."