Federal changes could significantly reduce permanent housing for homeless people in Cuyahoga County

People in more than 2,000 Cuyahoga County households could be pushed toward homelessness with federal policy changes to permanent housing programs.

While the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development is increasing its homelessness funding from $3.6 billion to $3.9 billion, the money is prioritizing “transitional housing” versus the “housing first,” or permanent housing programs that several local housing advocates prefer.

A statement from HUD said the “housing first” ideology “encourages dependence on endless government handouts while neglecting to address the root causes of homelessness, including illicit drugs and mental illness.”

Chris Knestrick, executive director of the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless, said transitional housing is “worrisome.”

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