Rep. Sykes Presses HUD to Protect Critical Homelessness Funding for Summit and Stark Counties

Rep. Sykes Presses HUD to Protect Critical Homelessness Funding for Summit and Stark Counties

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) announced that she sent a letter to Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner urging the Department to protect federal funding that supports homelessness prevention and housing programs in Summit and Stark Counties.

In her letter, Rep. Sykes called on HUD to renew all existing Continuum of Care (CoC) grants expiring in 2026 for an additional 12-month period without issuing a new Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). She raised concerns that HUD's reported plan to issue a new NOFO, along with proposed program changes, could disrupt funding already approved under the two-year authorization enacted by Congress.

The CoC Program is the main federal funding source for local agencies working to end homelessness. It supports permanent and transitional housing, case management, and coordinated services that help families and individuals move toward stability. The two-year NOFO for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 was intended to provide continuity and reduce administrative burdens for local programs through 2026.

Reports indicate that HUD is considering significant changes, including a 30% cap on permanent housing and new work requirements for transitional housing. Rep. Sykes warned that these changes could result in widespread funding cuts and service disruptions.

In Ohio, approximately 72% of permanent housing is funded through the CoC Program. The proposed changes could reduce funding by an estimated $80 million statewide, including $3.6 million in Summit County and $1.6 million in Stark County. Locally, CoC funding supports nearly 2,700 beds for individuals and families in need, including veterans and youth.

Rep. Sykes urged HUD to uphold the two-year funding structure authorized by Congress and avoid unnecessary changes that would harm local housing networks.

A full copy of the letter is available [here].

Background:
The Continuum of Care Program promotes community-wide planning and coordination to address homelessness, improve access to mainstream resources, and measure performance at the local level. In Ohio, the CoC is a cornerstone of efforts to reduce homelessness and expand affordable housing opportunities.