WQIO Ohio's Super Station
A new network of housing navigators is beginning work across Licking County, with the goal of helping people experiencing homelessness find permanent housing and, just as importantly, remain housed once they get there.
Five local social-service organizations have hired housing navigators with funding from the Licking County Foundation. The organizations include Licking County Coalition of Care, Newark Homeless Outreach, Licking County Coalition for Housing, St. Vincent de Paul Housing Facilities and The Main Place.
The foundation is investing $1.8 million over five years to support the positions, with the goal of eventually making the navigator roles permanent.
The navigators help clients complete housing applications, connect with government and social-service programs, and address barriers such as legal, medical and mental-health needs.
They also work to help people stay in their homes once they find housing. That can include helping clients understand bills, appointments and other responsibilities that can make maintaining housing difficult.
The program has already produced examples of the navigators working together. In one case, two navigators helped a veteran experiencing homelessness obtain temporary hotel housing, a cellphone and medical appointments.
Officials say the new approach brings organizations that previously worked separately into a more coordinated network.
