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A statewide organization devoted to ending chronic homelessness and promoting affordable housing met today at the Ohio Judicial Center.
Established by Gov. Ted Strickland last year, the Interagency Council on Homelessness and Affordable Housing’s mission is to unite key state agencies to formulate policies and programs that address affordable housing issues and eliminate homelessness, especially chronic homelessness. Several state agencies, commissions and boards have a significant role in developing housing policies and programs. These entities will partner with representatives of service providers who work directly with Ohioans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and those from the legislative and judicial branches of state government.
Justice Evelyn Lundberg Stratton, who serves on the National Board of Directors for the Corporation for Supportive Housing, opened the meeting by thanking the Council for undertaking this important work. “As a trial court judge, I saw many defendants whose mental illness was the root of their criminal behavior, yet there were no resources to assist with their rehabilitation,” she said. “Today, there are several communities with mental health courts attempting to address this issue, but homelessness has been identified as a challenge to these offenders succeeding in treatment.”
In addition to its recommendations for Gov. Strickland, the Council is also charged with submitting an annual report that details the accomplishments and progress of initiatives of the Council.
The Council’s membership includes the directors of Aging, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Services, Commerce, Education, Health, Job and Family Services, Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities, Rehabilitation and Corrections, and Youth Services. Executive Directors from several local homeless service providers from across the state and two statewide housing organizations are also included on the Council. In addition, two state senators and two state representatives along with a non-voting member from the Staff of the Supreme Court sit on the Council. Lt .Gov. Lee Fisher, Director of the Ohio Department of Development, serves as chairman.