The City is continuing to explore the feasibility of opening a year-round daytime one-stop center for people experiencing homelessness. The vision for the center is to not only offer respite from the elements for unhoused individuals, but to also provide one-stop for connecting patrons with physical and mental health care, public benefits safety net programs, employment assistance, computer access, and substance abuse treatment.

The City has continued to solicit and incorporate feedback on the operational design of the center, engaging more than 100 community agencies and 20 people experiencing homelessness. The next step is to issue an RFP for an operator of the center.

At the same time, the City has been seeking a physical location for the center. Unfortunately, an early site for consideration at 760 W. Fifth Street that was identified as a possible location for the center is no longer feasible. The current owners, Cincinnati Museum Center, will not be able to move out of this location within the City’s planned timing for construction and opening of the new daytime one-stop center. Therefore, the City is looking for an alternative location for the center.

“Though the site for the daytime one-stop center has not been selected, we are committed to moving forward with this valuable, permanent resource for our unhoused community. It will provide needed safe space for individuals while also connecting them with critical resources,” said City Manager Sheryl Long.

Separately, the City has secured a new location and partner for a daytime shelter activated during extreme winter weather. During past winter seasons, the extreme winter weather daytime shelter has been located at the OTR Recreation Center. As the Rec Center is under renovation, the City has partnered with St. Francis Seraph Ministries to host the extreme winter weather daytime shelter at the St. Anthony Center located at 1615 Republic Street in Over-the-Rhine. St. Anthony Center already provides daily breakfast, bagged lunch, and hot dinners to people at their location and are well acquainted with the patrons of the winter shelter. 

The City Manager will determine the activation dates when sustained daytime temperatures are forecasted to be below 15 degrees F, and/or when there is substantial snow/ice. 

Shelter hours will be from 6am-7pm

• Free bus transportation to/from the overnight Winter Shelter at 411 Gest Street
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks
• Onsite services from community mental health partners
• Blankets, hats, and scarves
• Pet services for people experiencing homelessness with their pets

The City is grateful to St. Francis Seraph Ministries for responding to the needs of our vulnerable community members during dangerous weather conditions and being a trusted partner in our efforts to ensure everyone has a safe, warm space during winter weather events.