Local organizations awarded grants

Lorain County organizations were awarded more than $185,000 in grants from the Ohio Development Services Agency, according to a news release.

Family Promise of Lorain County Inc., 440 W. Lorain St. in Oberlin, will receive $25,500 for its homeless crisis response program, and the YWCA of Elyria, 318 West Ave., was awarded $159,000 for its supportive housing program, the release said.

Overall, the Development Services Agency provided grants to 72 organizations totaling $25.8 million to support homeless prevention, emergency shelters and permanent housing initiatives.

“We’re helping homeless Ohioans get back on their feet,” said David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency.

Cuyahoga County organizations received $5.3 million in grant funding including $1.6 million for the county itself along with $1.9 million for Clevelandbased Emerald Development and Economic Network Inc.

Additionally, Volunteers of America of Greater Ohio received $668,700 and Mental Health Services for Homeless Persons Inc. received $471,600, the release said.

In Erie County, Community Action Commission of Erie, Huron and Richland Counties Inc., 908 Seavers Way in Sandusky, received $20,400 for homeless crisis response.

Grants from the Homeless Crisis Response Program will help 50 nonprofit and local government agencies operate emergency shelters and quickly move individuals from emergency shelters to permanent housing, according to the release.

This program will provide support to about 39,000 Ohioans with funding provided by the Ohio Housing Trust Fund and the federal Emergency Solutions Grant program, the release said.