Front Steps Housing and Services

Originally founded by four Ursuline sisters from the Congregation of St. Joseph, Front Steps Services opened its doors to residents on January 17, 1986 as Transitional Housing Inc. (THI). Its mission was to address the shortage of safe, decent, and affordable housing for low-income/homeless women who faced multiple barriers in obtaining temporary residence. THI offered these women a chance to get back on their feet and it interrupted the cyclical trickling in and out of emergency shelters. Based on Cleveland’s near West Side, THI, formerly a motel, was renovated into a 60-unit residence becoming one of the first transitional housing programs in the U.S. for women living alone. THI has served more than 3,000 homeless women and children, with a 98% success rate of clients moving into permanent housing. In 2010, THI began redefining itself to be permanent supportive housing. This restructuring was a result of the Homeless Emergency Assistance and Rapid Transition to Housing Act, and the increased focus on providing a permanent solution to end the cycle of homelessness. By the end of 2011, THI had converted 10 of its 60 transitional housing units into permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless disabled women. All 60 units are now permanent supportive housing and serve individuals and families, who are mentally disabled and/or economically disadvantaged in Cuyahoga County. In 2013, THI opened its doors for the first time to a single male father and now serves men, women and children. In 2014, the organization was renamed Front Steps Housing and Services to align with the full scope of offerings provided to residents and those in our local community. “Front Steps” serves as a symbolic reference to home and represents the starting place for new beginnings. With a new name and strategic plan in place, the organization is poised to improve and expand its services for a broader population of individuals and families.