Grants help nonprofits offer affordable housing opportunities

FINDLAY — A Toledo foundation has provided grants to three organizations involved in the Hancock County Housing Coalition as they work together to address homelessness and create affordable housing opportunities. Recipients of funds from the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation include Habitat for Humanity of Findlay/Hancock County, City Mission of Findlay and Findlay Hope House. "I think we're really impressed with all the organizations in this room and their ability to collaborate," said Maria lafelice, community impact officer with the Foundation. "And they are exemplifying the compassion and care we like to see in organizations." The organization announced $2,112,800 in grant awards through its spring 2025 grant cycle, supporting 87 nonprofit organizations across 12 counties in Northwest Ohio including Allen, Defiance, Fulton, Hancock, Hardin, Lucas, Ottawa, Putnam, Sandusky, Van Wert, Williams and Wood counties. She said Eldred was the founder of Midwest Tape, a business in Holland, Ohio. "He started giving philanthropically in 2012, and that was exclusively to small public rural libraries across the country," she said. Following his death in 2021, lafelice said a board was formed of close family and colleagues to rename the organization the John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation and focus the giving on Northwest Ohio. The core areas of focus are housing stability, youth education and food security. "We are committed to supporting those initiatives, not just in Toledo/Lucas County but also across the Northwest Ohio region including right here in Hancock County," she said. Habitat for Humanity Wendy McCormick, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, said lafelice and Mike Deetsch, the Foundation's executive director, met with the nonprofits and talked about their passion around housing stability. They encouraged the agencies to solicit a grant to help support the continuum of care effort happening in the community. "Habitat's purpose for writing the grant was really for all of the infrastructure and operational support to help us grow to serve more families," said McCormick. This includes new computer equipment and software. "We're doubling the amount of families we're serving in critical home repair so we invested in some software to actually help make that process efficient," McCormick said. There are already 60 applicants in the que whose projects have been vetted and approved halfway through the year. "Last year we did just over 20 so it's been an explosion and needed in the community to keep people where they're at," she said. A large part of those people reside in mobile homes, she noted. "And Findlay has one of the highest percentages in the state of individuals living in mobile homes, so being able to keep them stable where they are is also a really critical part of the work that we're doing," said McCormick. Habitat currently has 150 applicants now actively working toward affordable housing, she said. Although the agency has increased the number of homes being built from four a year to six this year, she said. Families will be in the ques for two to three years before they're actually homeowner ready, said McCormick. "So we're just trying to find ways to work with them and keep them stable in the meantime," she said. City Mission Numbers are also increasing at the City Mission, according to Project Director Tyler Layton, who said grant funds will be used to increase the programs already in place. The shelter has about 78 guests. A few summers ago, it was half that number. "And that's not even speaking about all facilities so we are just always really full," he said. Newer areas include Martha's Home which provides a place for mothers with children which currently has nine families residing there. Grant funds may be used to renovate and expand the North Main Street building. The low-barrier shelter may be enlarged as well, he said. On Tuesday night, a record number high 22 people stayed there. Layton said it's the largest crowd they've ever had during the summer. "Those are people who don't want to go into the program yet. They just need a place to stay for the night and leave in the morning. The grant will help us accommodate and hopefully expand those services also. We need more beds." City Mission also plans to grow its food services program. Last year, 198,000 meals were served to the community and people staying at the shelter — up from 160,000 meals in 2023. Hope House Hope House received operational support for its housing programs serving individuals and families experiencing homelessness, said Sue Lehman, CEO of Hope House. Through professionally case-managed services - including a transitional shelter for women and children, and rental assistance programs serving men, women and families with rapid rehousing, homelessness and eviction prevention, and permanent supportive housing - Hope House empowers clients to build secure, independent futures by equipping them with the resources, education and support necessary to overcome barriers to housing stability. When funds allow, the agency also helps with eviction prevention which is a big need in our community, Lehman said. "We know that if we could keep people housed, whether it's keeping them in their home that they own or in our case, helping with rental assistance, if we can keep them housed then that's progress, she said. "If they lose their home, they're going to be really hard-pressed to find a new place to go." In 2024, Hope House served 360 people with over 28,000 nights of lodging. "The housing resource navigator, we don't provide any financial assistance for the folks that she sees. They're people that need help but they may not qualify for any other programs. She helped 242 people with housing solutions," Lehman said. "I think we are at a crossroads in our community. Homelessness is a nationwide problem. It's not just limited to Hancock County, and it's getting worse," added Laurie Poland, development director at Hope House. "If we don't figure out a way to address the whole housing shortage and availability, our community is going to suffer in all aspects of our life. The infrastructure is just not there for the need that is growing." Poland credited the Foundation for its help. "What a gift it is because we are all kind of connected. We all know each other. We all know where the grants are in our community. So to have someone come in from outside our community and offer to listen to our story and move forward with saying why don't you apply for a grant, and then getting that grant accepted is such a gift because resources are limited," she said. United Way Food security also plays into the equation, said Kelley McClurkin, CEO of United Way of Hancock County. "When people have food security, then that gives them more money to keep them stable with rent or a house payment or whatever. But it all works together," she said. McClurkin cited ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — families who struggle with financial stability. The acronym, she said, was coined by a New Jersey United Way. These household members work one, two and three jobs just to stay in their homes. "They're on that edge of that benefit cliff as well. They're $400 away from losing it. That's a car accident. That's a health emergency, or not even an emergency, that's one health incident. It's that close," she said. The community garden located on North Blanchard Street provides an economical source of food for free essentially, said Kaleb Brown, a former employee of United Way who has helped with the garden this year. CHOPIN Hall is now in charge of the garden. "There's a really good sense of community the garden has between the collaborations and just the people that are involved," said Brown. "So working with the University of Findlay and the biology department, they're able to host food programs for community members, working with Master Gardeners to do education about nutrition education. There's so many different things that are involved with the community garden itself, it's really helping our community become a healthier place."