Stivers continues to fight nation’s youth homelessness problem

U.S. Rep. Steve Stivers (R-OH) earlier this week highlighted America’s continuing challenges around youth homelessness during a tour with state and federal leaders of a Columbus, Ohio, support group.

“Young people need a solid foundation to succeed, and that starts with having a roof over their head and a safe place to call home,” said Rep. Stivers, ranking member of the U.S. House Financial Services Subcommittee on Housing, Community Development, and Insurance.

Rep. Stivers on Jan. 14 joined U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Ben Carson and Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine (R) on a tour of Huckleberry House in Columbus, which supports central Ohio’s youth and families facing difficult problems, including homelessness.

“Through many visits over the years, I’ve seen firsthand the hard work of dedicated individuals at Huckleberry House, and I will continue to work with folks like Secretary Carson and Governor DeWine to support their efforts and make sure that they have the resources they need to care for the youth in our communities,” Rep. Stivers said following Tuesday’s tour.

At the tour, HUD announced a nearly $2.2 billion award to support local homeless programs and services across the country, with Ohio receiving almost $107 million in grants through HUD’s Continuum of Care program, which provides support and resources to combat homelessness. Huckleberry House will receive more than $230,000 of the state’s Continuum of Care funding, according to Rep. Stivers’ office.

“It was great to tour Huckleberry House today alongside Governor DeWine and Representative Stivers to see the important work that Continuum of Care grant recipients are doing here in Franklin County,” said HUD Secretary Carson. “I have always found that the best results are achieved when state, local and federal partners work together with a shared sense of duty to help our country’s most vulnerable citizens.”

Rep. Stivers supported funding for the Continuum of Care Program during the appropriations process and voted to pass the Transportation and Housing and Urban Development package, according to his office.