The 2022 point-in-time count of people experiencing homelessness in Columbus and Franklin County was held on January 27, 2022. The number of people counted experiencing homelessness was 1,912. An unsheltered count was not conducted in 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Through a partnership with the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), ISBH serves as the housing broker for four (4) re-entry supportive housing programs addressing homelessness and recidivism; Frequent Users Systems Engagement (FUSE), Justice Rapid Rehousing (JRR), Fresh Start and Ohio’s Community Transition Program (CTP).
As housing broker, ISBH is responsible for:
- Identifying decent, safe, and affordable housing for program participants
- Ensuring timely processing and payments of rental subsidy and utilities
- Delivering voluntary home-based supportive services
- Actively participating in the “Partnership” with the Corporation for Supportive Housing and Funders
Funding for the re-entry housing programs is provided by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OHMAS), Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC), Franklin County Office of Policy and Programs and/or CareSource.
Eligibility for program participation is determined by the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) and is based on their Justice Discharge Vulnerability Index Service Prioritization Decision Assessment Tool (JI-SPDAT) score. All referrals for the Franklin County re-entry housing programs come directly from the Corporation for Supportive Housing.
Placing clients in supportive housing can improve life outcomes for the tenants, more efficiently utilize public resources, and likely create cost avoidance in crisis systems like hospitals and shelter.
Program Outcomes
Staff from Integrated Services have successfully engaged tenants in behavioral health services, which is an important component of housing stabilization. While tenants may be at various stages of participation with clinical care, staff are continuously working to reduce barriers to treatment and services and build on their openness to making positive changes in their quality of life. The table below indicates participation in services as of June 30, 2022.
| Service Participation | Case management | AoD | MH |
| At Entry | 100% | 33% | 56% |
| 3 months | 100% | 38% | 56% |
| 6 months | 93% | 41% | 59% |
| 12 months | 97% | 47% | 56% |
| 18 months | 93% | 37% | 36% |
| 24 months | 89% | 44% | 33% |
Income
Participants move in and out of employment and income throughout their time in the program.
| Income | Employment | SSI/SSDI | *Increased income |
| At Entry | 16% | 5% | 0% |
| 3 months | 31% | 6% | 1% |
| 6 months | 32% | 5% | 0% |
| 12 months | 31% | 0% | 1% |
| 18 months | 29% | 3% | 0% |
| 24 months | 22% | 28% | 1% |
