More than $18.7 million will support shelters for the homeless and help homeless Ohioans find permanent housing. The Ohio Development Services Agency is providing grants to 50 local organizations to support homeless prevention, emergency shelters and permanent housing initiatives.

“We’re providing our communities with resources to help homeless Ohioans get back on their feet,” said David Goodman, director of the Ohio Development Services Agency.

Grants from the Homeless Crisis Response Program will help nonprofit and local government agencies operate emergency shelters and quickly move individuals from emergency shelters to permanent housing. More than 42,211 Ohioans will receive assistance through the program. Funding for the program is from the Ohio Housing Trust Fund and the federal Emergency Solutions Grant.

No grants were given to Crawford, Morrow, Richland and Knox counties.