Need help paying for housing or utilities? Finding a program – and filling out all the paperwork – can be frustrating. 

Union Miles Development Corporation and CHN Housing Partners are teaming up to provide residents a one-stop shop for housing and utilities support tomorrow (March 15) between 10 and 2 p.m. at Zelma George Recreation Center. The event is free and open to all Cuyahoga County residents.

The Housing and Utilities Fair will feature representatives from programs that provide money to renters and homeowners.  

Residents can expect to walk away with a better understanding of what programs they qualify for and perhaps even a direct connection to someone who can help guide them.  

The event is focused on housing and utilities but will also have information on legal services, food access, free cell phones and more.

Who will be at the resource fair?

• Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA)
• Step Forward
• Murtis Taylor Human Services System
• Ward 4 Council Member Deborah Gray
• City of Cleveland’s Community Development Department
• City of Cleveland’s Office of Prevention, Intervention, and Opportunity for Youth and Young Adults
• Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging
• Greater Cleveland Food Bank
• Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
• Assurance Wireless

Connecting residents to housing support

One goal of the event is to eliminate barriers between residents and services that they need. It can be difficult for residents to access support without an expert who understands the process.

“Many times when they’re trying to call, they feel like they can’t get to anyone, or that the information may not be accurate. … So, having that person right there in front of them to break down that information is important,” said Laurice Kennedy-Brown, community engagement director for Union Miles Development Corporation.

Not only can finding the right information be a challenge, but navigating some programs’ strict eligibility requirements can also be tough. Often organizations have resources available, but the information that residents need to provide is specific and detailed. 

Kennedy-Brown hopes that this event can help close that gap.

“I think residents will be excited about the housing assistance and finding out how they can apply for those services,” she said. 

Questions? Contact Community Engagement Director Laurice Kennedy-Brown by phone at 216-283-4400 (ext. 2486) or email [email protected].