YOUNGSTOWN - Local housing and mental health leaders are voicing concerns that proposed changes to a major federal homeless assistance program could force hundreds of Mahoning County residents back into homelessness.

HUD is considering a shift to its Continuum of Care program that advocates said would reduce Ohio’s permanent supportive housing funding from $114 million to $34 million.

The Coalition on Homelessness and Housing in Ohio estimates roughly 10,000 formerly homeless households statewide could be affected.

In Mahoning County, the Continuum of Care currently funds rent subsidies and support services for about 371 people each year, according to county officials.

“We currently house about 371 people each year," said Colleen Kosta, coordinator of the Mahoning County Homeless Cont

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