The Capital Crossroads and Discovery SID Homeless Outreach team works with individuals experiencing homelessness to find them housing. Last fall, the Homeless Outreach team made contact with Randy B., who had been sleeping in the area of 61 East Mound Street.

While Randy had been in Permanent Supported Housing, he chose to return to the streets because his landlord would not rectify the issue of bugs in his apartment. Like many individuals experiencing homelessness, Randy suffers from a variety of mental health disorders, including anxiety and depression, which he would self-medicate with alcohol.

Due to COVID restrictions, housing was not accessible; Randy chose not to use shelters, so he spent most of the summer and fall of 2020 living on the streets.

As fall progressed, the housing system came back online, and the outreach team helped get Randy referred to a National Church Residences property. With the team’s help, Randy applied and moved in early December.

Randy’s new apartment, a furnished, one-bedroom, requires he only pay one bill. Previously, he had to pay his own utilities. The rent is subsidized at 30 percent of his monthly Social Security Income check. And, National Church Residences case management helps its residents procure food boxes, get to appointments, apply for food assistance and Medicaid, and to connect with necessary counseling services. 

Randy reported to the outreach team that he is very happy in his new housing. Because of this housing security, he drinks less and experiences less anxiety. The Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority inspects these properties annually, so any maintenance issues will be addressed, unlike his previous situation. Helping Randy to find secure housing allowed him to move off of the streets, hopefully permanently. 

SID-tistic: So far this year, Bill and Ryan have helped 95 individuals off the street. In 2020, the team assisted 99 individuals off the street.

If you see someone experiencing homelessness, please call the SID hotline at (614) 228-5718.