Two new men's homeless shelters in the works

TIFFIN --- The Cottage—currently the only recovery housing in Tiffin for men over the age of 18—has announced its closure. The decision stemmed from New Housing Ohio, the parent company of The Cottage, which develops, owns, and manages specialized housing, serving mentally ill, developmentally disabled, substance abusers and homeless populations. Scott Boone, president and CEO of New Housing Ohio, said there is no reason in particular that The Cottage has decided to pull the plug on its current services. "As we've reviewed over the years the success of the program, we just made a decision to move forward," Boone said, noting recovery housing has never been a large part of New Housing Ohio's mission. "We continue to operate several other types of facilities in the region." Other facilities operated by New Housing Ohio include Bernie's Homeless Shelter in South Lebanon and Smith House in Wilmington. Local attorney Gina Grandillo said she has concerns for the individuals who have been living in The Cottage, as some of them are participating in PIVOT, a program that helps participants with long-term sobriety. "I don't think they're being treated fairly," Grandillo said, noting residents staying in The Cottage were given a 30-day eviction notice on Oct. 5. "Housing is the last thing that's keeping them hanging on by a thread." Grandillo said caseworkers and probation officers have sent out concerns to New Housing Ohio, as they are worried about where the individuals staying at the shelter will be when the 30 days are up. What's next? The Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Seneca, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wyandot counties did provide some good news—they are going to financially assist the men who will soon be removed from The Cottage, and will be opening two new homeless shelters for men which will be ready as early as January of 2024. "We will not just abandon these residents," said Mircea Handru, executive director of the local Mental Health Board. "We will do everything we can to make sure everybody has a place to stay and they can afford to move to a new place." Handru explained that residents will not just be let out into the street, but will be uplifted through the Mental Health Board. "We're going to try to help them with financial assistance, at least to be able to get into a new place," he said, noting some residents have already found a place to live. The residents from The Cottage will be financially assisted with their rent by the board. The board will work with the landowner of the chosen housing unit and pay them rent directly. A letter was sent out to all residents at The Cottage from the Mental Health Board, noting the Health Board will provide $850 in financial services for each resident to help with rent. "We don't want anybody to be on the street and not be able to find housing," said Handru, noting the board will also assist with PIVOT and outpatient programs. "We will work with residents one-on-one to make sure they find a place to stay." Additionally, Handru announced the board is currently in the process of creating two new housing facilities for local homeless men in Seneca County, doubling the beds that were in The Cottage. "Our plan is to open a new recovery house for males hopefully by January," he said, noting they are waiting on paperwork from the facilities they are looking to use as the new shelters. The biggest difference with the upcoming recovery housing is that the board will own the facilities, as opposed to New Housing Ohio, and implement the programming that will best support the individuals within them. Handru explained the board's long-term goal is to support the residents, create stability in their lives and work on getting them to become self-sufficient. The board is also aiming to equip them with the skills they need to be financially independent. Although The Cottage will no longer be used for recovery housing, it will most likely be used for behavioral health, which is the main focus of New Housing Ohio.