West Cleveland News

The Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry, in collaboration with Oriana House, Inc., and North Star Neighborhood Reentry Resource Center, has launched the Rapid Reentry Housing Assistance Program. This initiative aims to alleviate housing instability among the reentry community by providing direct financial support to individuals recently released from incarceration.

"Often, individuals returning home after involvement with the criminal justice system face challenges such as unemployment, housing instability, overdue rent, utility bills, and more," said Marcus Bell, North Star program services provider. "Access to these direct funds will play a crucial role in our mission to reduce homelessness in the reentry community and Cuyahoga County as a whole."

According to a press release, the Rapid Reentry Housing Funds Program offers direct financial assistance to landlords and utility companies on behalf of these individuals. The aid facilitates debt clearance, security deposits, and initial rent payments. Eligibility for this program is determined through assessments conducted by North Star and its partners, with applicants prioritized on a first-come-first-served basis.

Marcus Bell is the North Star program services supervisor | Linkedin

Simeon Best, director of the Cuyahoga County Office of Reentry, underscored the importance of this program in the same press release. He said, "Stable housing plays a critical role in reducing recidivism. The chances of justice-impacted individuals reoffending significantly decrease with safe living options."

The press release further elaborates that eligibility for one-time payment assistance through the Rapid Reentry Housing Funds Program requires applicants to have been released within the last 180 days from a State Prison, County Jail, Halfway House or Community Based Correctional Facility. Applicants must also reside in Cuyahoga County and complete and submit all required documentation diligently.

According to Cleveland.com, county spokeswoman Jennifer Ciaccia disclosed that the program aims to assist approximately 100 to 150 individuals. North Star will be responsible for conducting assessments to ascertain eligibility.