Things to Know
What to Do When a Resident is Experiencing Homelessness
- Stay Calm and Listen
- Treat the resident with respect and dignity.
- Ask open-ended questions to understand their immediate needs.
- Avoid making assumptions about why they are homeless.
- Identify Immediate Needs
Check for urgent concerns:
- Safety (Are they in danger?)
- Shelter (Do they have a safe place to stay tonight?)
- Food, water, or medical needs
If immediate danger exists:
Call 911 or appropriate emergency services.
- Connect to Resources
Summit County CoC:
- Provides shelter referrals, rapid re-housing, homelessness prevention, and supportive services.
- Call: 234-312-0833 | Website: summitcoc.org
United Way 211 Summit County:
- A free, confidential 24/7 resource hotline.
- Staff can assess immediate needs and connect residents to shelters, food, healthcare, and other local services.
- Call: 211 | Website: 211summit.org
Why 211 is helpful:
- Quick access to multiple services in one call
- Covers crisis and non-crisis needs
- Bridges township staff to CoC and community partners
- Make a Referral (If Appropriate)
- Gather basic information: name, age, family size, current location, urgent needs.
- Contact CoC at 234-312-0833 or 211 directly for guidance on next steps.
- Document the referral for internal records.
- Follow-Up
- Stay in communication with CoC staff if possible.
- Offer information on local community resources (food pantries, churches, support groups).
- Encourage residents to reach out if conditions change.
- Key Principles
- Act with compassion, patience, and confidentiality
- Respect township resident’s autonomy
- Your role is connection, not relocation
Contacts for Township Staff: 234-312-0833
- United Way 211 Summit County: 211 | 211summit.org
