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The city was recently selected as one of eight jurisdictions to participate in the Housing Justice Peer Network, a 16-month initiative designed to improve housing access for individuals re-entering the community after involvement with the criminal justice system.
The program, led by the NYU Furman Center’s Housing Solutions Lab and the Center for Justice Innovation, brings together city leaders to strengthen re-entry housing partnerships, develop a master leasing model, and boost landlord engagement. As part of this collaborative, Toledo joins cities like Kansas City, Memphis, and Pittsburgh in developing scalable, equity-focused housing solutions.
Sandra De Steno, Director of Toledo 211 at United Way, is one of the four representatives leading this effort locally. She works alongside partners from the Toledo Lucas County Homelessness Board, the Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, and the City of Toledo’s Housing and Community Development Department.
While the initiative does not provide direct funding, it emphasizes low-cost solutions such as building strategic partnerships, streamlining systems, and identifying gaps in support. The Housing Solutions Lab focuses on mid-sized cities like Toledo, citing their agility and unique position to enact meaningful change with fewer bureaucratic obstacles.
This forward-thinking collaboration is a strong example of how Ohio’s 211 system can support community-level innovation. By aligning housing with justice system reform, Toledo 211 is helping lead the charge in addressing one of the most critical barriers to successful re-entry: access to stable, affordable housing.
https://www.unitedwaytoledo.org/united-way-211/
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