CINCINNATI — The weather may be warming up, but people living throughout Ohio are still in need of shelter and food to keep them warm. Several organizations are responding to the call for help. 

What You Need To Know

  • Homeless shelters and warming centers are opening across the state because of freezing temperatures

  • Overcapacity has been an issue in Cincinnati, but the community has stepped up to help

  • One challenge is finding shelter for single women

  • Another challenge is some people refusing shelter because of mental illness

“It’s been me,” said Mona Jenkins, Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition director of development and operations. 

Jenkins knows firsthand what it’s like to be in need.

“I just believe no one should endure this,” she said. 

With frigid temperatures, several winter shelters and warming centers have opened up across the city. While overcapacity has been an issue, there has been an outpouring of support. 

“Some of our member agencies---some folks in the community who realize that this is a crisis that we’re in regarding the housing situation, have stepped up,” she said. 

But challenges still arise.

“Traditionally, the hardest populations to house are single women,” she said. “So we are again trying to think outside of the box to make sure they are safe.”

Another problem she and her colleagues encounter centers on people refusing to seek shelter because of mental health reasons.

“It makes them anxious, causes additional problems;  sometimes they more than likely feel more safe outside and we know that these freezing temperatures are just deadly,” she emphasized. 

And that’s why Jenkins said shelters are just a bandaid for the overall problem. 

“It’s just an overwhelming time and something that can be prevented if we take the steps that are needed to make sure that our city is intentional about having safe and affordable housing for everyone,” she said. 

For more information on shelter locations and how to help, click here.