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Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval announced the “Center of Care” initiative, a partnership between the city, 3CDC, and local nonprofits to centralize homeless services into a single daytime facility. The plan involves acquiring three Franciscan-owned properties in Over-the-Rhine to provide housing assistance, medical care, and behavioral health services under one roof. While participating service providers have been identified, final project budgets and operational timelines have not yet been established.
Cincinnati officials announced a new Center of Care partnership that aims to expand support for residents experiencing homelessness.
The initiative will bring several service providers together under one roof.
Mayor Aftab Pureval unveiled the initiative Monday alongside community organizations. He said the approach will make it easier for people to access housing assistance, behavioral health care, substance use treatment, primary medical care, employment services, and government benefits.
The proposed Center of Care represents a collaboration between the City of Cincinnati, nonprofit organizations, health care providers, and the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC). City leaders said the partnership is designed to simplify access to services by creating a centralized daytime location. They said this approach means people will not be required to travel to multiple agencies.
According to city officials, the effort also seeks to improve coordination among organizations already serving the region’s homeless population. The city said a centralized model could help individuals receive comprehensive care. In addition, it may reduce barriers that often delay treatment or housing placement.
The announcement comes as Cincinnati continues to address rising homelessness and growing demand for behavioral health and addiction services. Community leaders said the initiative builds on existing programs rather than replacing emergency shelters or outreach efforts.
Center of Care focuses on coordinated support
Mayor Pureval said the Center of Care will function as a one-stop resource. Individuals can receive assistance for multiple needs during a single visit. Instead of navigating separate organizations, visitors would be able to connect with housing specialists, behavioral health professionals, medical providers, and employment counselors in one location.
The city said services are expected to include:
- Housing navigation and case management
- Substance use disorder treatment referrals
- Mental health and behavioral health services
- Primary health care
- Employment assistance
- Government benefits enrollment
- Connections to additional community resources
Officials believe coordinating these services could improve long-term outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness while making public investments more effective.
“We gathered service providers from around the community to announce the Center of Care partnership: our collective vision for a new, one-stop hub for residents experiencing homelessness, housing instability, and behavioral health challenges. We have an extraordinary local ecosystem of organizations supporting many of our most vulnerable neighbors — and this project has the potential to bring that work to a new level,” Pureval said in his Facebook post.
Neil Tilow, a consultant working with the city on homelessness initiatives, said the vision is to have eight to ten service providers operating together within the facility. According to local reports, that structure would allow clients to receive multiple services during one visit instead of traveling between agencies.
Center of Care partnership includes local organizations
Several Cincinnati organizations have joined the Center of Care partnership. Participants include Saint Francis Seraph Ministries, Mary Magdalen House, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health, Talbert House, Ikron, NeighborHub Health, and Strategies to End Homelessness.
The city also announced a partnership with 3CDC to help identify and develop a permanent location for the Center of Care. As part of that effort, officials plan to acquire three Franciscan-owned properties in Over-the-Rhine:
- St. Francis Seraph Church
- Franciscan Media Center
- St. Anthony Center
City officials said preserving these properties will allow current homeless services to continue while long-term planning for the Center of Care moves forward.
According to WVXU, the acquisition is intended to maintain critical services already provided at the campus. It will also create opportunities for future expansion. Local 12 also reported that the partnership reflects months of planning among nonprofit providers and city officials.
Kevin Finn, president and CEO of Strategies to End Homelessness, said the region has experienced an increase in unsheltered homelessness during the past several years. He said maintaining and expanding access to coordinated services remains an important priority for local organizations.
How the Center of Care fits into Cincinnati’s homelessness strategy
The new Center of Care expands upon Cincinnati’s existing homelessness response system rather than replacing it. Hamilton County already coordinates emergency shelters, street outreach, permanent supportive housing, and rapid rehousing programs through several nonprofit partners.
The city said the proposed center will strengthen those efforts by providing a dedicated daytime facility. Individuals can connect with multiple providers in one place. Officials believe that easier access to services can improve housing stability. It will also address untreated mental illness and substance use disorders.
The initiative also aligns with broader goals to reduce reliance on emergency departments, law enforcement, and crisis response systems for people experiencing homelessness.
According to Strategies to End Homelessness, coordinated housing placement and supportive services have helped thousands of individuals exit homelessness in recent years. City officials hope the Center of Care will further improve those outcomes through greater collaboration among providers.
The announcement follows previous discussions about expanding daytime services for people experiencing homelessness, particularly during periods when overnight shelters are closed. Local leaders have said the new model is intended to fill that gap. Furthermore, it will offer a more comprehensive approach to care.
Next steps for the project
City officials have not announced a timeline for opening the Center of Care or released a final project budget. Additional planning will determine the permanent location, facility design, funding sources, and operating structure.
The proposal will likely involve continued collaboration among city departments, nonprofit organizations, health care providers, and community stakeholders before the center becomes operational.
Residents can expect additional updates as the project advances through planning and development.
FAQs
What is the primary purpose of the Center of Care?
The Center of Care provides a single daytime location where individuals experiencing homelessness access multiple support services during one visit. It integrates housing navigation, medical care, behavioral health treatment, and benefits enrollment, eliminating the need to travel between separate agencies. This model streamlines access to care and improves long-term housing stability.
Which organizations and properties are involved in the initiative?
The City of Cincinnati and 3CDC partner with service providers such as Saint Francis Seraph Ministries, Greater Cincinnati Behavioral Health, and Talbert House. 3CDC plans to acquire three Franciscan-owned properties in Over-the-Rhine: St. Francis Seraph Church, the Franciscan Media Center, and the St. Anthony Center. These acquisitions will maintain existing community services while creating room for expansion.
Will the Center of Care replace existing emergency shelters?
No, the initiative is structured to build upon existing local programs rather than replace emergency overnight shelters or street outreach. It specifically fills a operational gap by offering daytime resources when standard overnight shelters are closed. Hamilton County will continue running its existing shelter, outreach, and rapid rehousing networks alongside the new facility.
When will the Center of Care open, and what is the budget?
City officials have not announced an opening date or released a final budget for the project. Further planning is required to finalize the facility’s design, funding mechanisms, and operating structure. Public updates will be released as the initiative moves through development.
