In 2023, 13.6% of the population in Portage County had severe housing problems, and nearly 10 out of every 10,000 Ohioans experienced homelessness.
Although from 2014 to 2023 the percentage of people with severe housing problems in Portage County decreased by 2.6%, phone calls to Shepherd’s House increase drastically every month. The shelter is constantly bringing more people in and their workload is always increasing, said Allison Skidmore, director of guest services and kitchen operations.
“I think it’s a much larger problem than most of us even can begin to imagine … than most people think,” Skidmore said. “Especially the average resident in Portage County.”
Skidmore said she feels the problem has gotten gradually worse as prices and the cost of living have risen. Right now, Shepherd’s House is sitting at 25-30 people living in the shelter.
Everybody’s journey is different, with some people just needing a fallback while others get permanent support of housing.
Over time, Skidmore said several people have moved out and turned out to be very successful.
“We’ve seen quite a few do amazing,” she said. “The key is the more support they have coming out of a situation, it seems to be the more successful they are.”
Shepherd’s House offers a wide range of support. Skidmore said the shelter works with multiple agencies in the area.
They bring in Ohio Means Jobs, Job & Family Services and Hope Town Ohio twice a month. They also have Coleman services both on-call and in the shelter twice a week, offer a minister most mornings as well as group classes every week and oversee connections to other drug and alcohol services like Townhall II, Brightview and Stepping Stone.
“We’ve had a couple of people move out, advance to supervisor level in employment, get apartments, … excel and shine working whether it be an Ohio Means Jobs program or just being able to do it well on their own through their Social Security, whether they’re coming through sobriety or not,” Skidmore said.
The shelter also teaches life skills as Skidmore said some guests coming in have never learned about hygiene, properly cleaning things up or having responsibilities to feel good about themselves.
Skidmore said Shepherd’s House is structured, scheduled, clean, happy and bright. A homey place as when people first come in, they are supplied with new linens and pajamas.
“Nothing’s better than getting brand new pajamas and into clean, crisp bedding, going to bed at night after you’ve had a really rough time,” Skidmore said.
Those who are not homeless but need help are referred to Housing and Emergency Support Services.
Anybody with a criminal record is treated a bit more carefully because the shelter houses men, women and children. Records that display safety concerns, like sexual offenses, offenses involving children, assault or domestic violence are referred to Akron or Youngstown shelters, where there are no children, and men and women are housed separately.
Skidmore said they try to work with probation officers and counselors to get them housed, especially if someone with drug charges is in treatment and needs somewhere to stay during that period, so they can get to the next step.
Although homelessness has gone down in Portage County, it is still a prominent issue. Shelters like Shepherd’s House can connect anybody with concerns to resources that can help.
Lauren Cohen is a reporter. Contact her at [email protected]
