Mayor Justin M. Bibb introduced "A Home for Every Neighbor," a pioneering initiative led by the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, and the Office of Homeless Services (OHS), shifting from a passive financial role to proactive involvement in addressing unsheltered homelessness. The initiative, inspired by successful models nationwide, emphasizes a collaborative, community-wide effort, aiming to rehouse over 150 unsheltered residents within 18 months. It focuses on engagement, collaboration, incentivization, and infrastructure development, with a "Housing Surge" planned to expedite the transition to permanent housing. The initiative also seeks to expand housing options through permanent supportive housing units, affordable housing developments, and a centralized Navigation Center, marking a significant step towards achieving sustainable solutions for the unsheltered community in Cleveland. The project is still in the early stages, and the city has issued a Request for Proposals to recruit partner(s) to help them implement their vision.
Nationwide, chronic homelessness has been on the rise in recent years and BOMA Locals have taken notice. In a recent BOMA Associations state and local policy survey, 74% reported homelessness as a priority advocacy issue. There is no silver bullet to solve the problem and it is important for the commercial real estate sector to continue to play an active role in advocating for sustainable solutions that fit each city’s needs.