Newark / Ohio / United States
Licking County Coalition for Housing ( LCCH ) was founded in late 1992, as a 501 ( c ) ( 3 ) not for profit organization intended to serve the housing needs of homeless, low- and moderate-income residents of Licking County, Ohio. The first program - Transitional Housing for homeless families - consisted of four newly-remodeled apartments, one volunteer staff member, and utilized $15, 000 in funds contributed by local churches, individuals and local government. The organization was established through partnerships with local social service agencies, churches, individuals, businesses, and local governments located primarily in Newark, the county seat. LCCH adopted as its purpose the statement: Our mission is to provide a community forum, to assess housing resources, to identify problems, and to create solutions through collaboration. Consequently, in addition to the initiation of many community planning and education activities, LCCH services the community directly by addressing the need for transitional housing and housing referral services for homeless families and individuals, as well as those at risk for homelessness. LCCH regularly contributes to the development of the City of Newark Consolidated Plan and the Licking County Community Housing Improvement Strategy ( CHIS ). On May 17, 2000, LCCH co- sponsored Licking County Housing Forum 2000, a bi-annual event designed to bring together practitioners from all aspects of the local housing continuum - from homelessness prevention to multi-million dollar homes - to discuss the local housing picture, associated issues, and develop plans for action. LCCH worked in conjunction with the City of Newark, Licking County Planning Commission, Licking Metropolitan Housing Authority, and Community Mental Health and Recovery Board. In 1995, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development ( HUD ) awarded LCCH $1.8 million in Supportive Housing Program funds over a three-year period to further develop the fledgling transitional housing program from five to 30 housing units, and to hire ten full-time staff. The program remains the only one of its kind serving Licking County. The three-year grant was renewed in 1998 and again in 2001. Through Project Homeline, LCCH provides homelessness prevention services, and housing referral services to over 800 households each year. As of October 2004, LCCHs database of nearly 7, 200 rental-housing units are available via the agencys Web Site. ( It can be accessed by clicking on "Apartment Database" on the left of your screen. )
