Does City Council's plan to help the homeless really help?

CINCINNATI - Cincinnati City Council voted Wednesday to apply for a federal grant that would be used in part to move the homeless shelter in Over-the-Rhine as part of the Homelessness to Homes Initiative.

Josh Spring, the Executive Director of the Greater Cincinnati Homeless Coalition, says the plan is misguided.

"We don't end homelessness by moving shelters," said Spring.

Spring says the money would help more people if it was funding affordable house and creating jobs.

He says the money does nothing for the growing number of families finding themselves on the street.

"This money will do nothing for them, it will do nothing for these children," said Spring.

Spring says the $7 million the council hopes to get will have to be paid back in $500,000 installments over the next 20 years.

Vice Mayor Roxanne Qualls introduced the Homeless to Homes Initiative in 2009.

"These funds will help us achieve our goal of insuring the highest standards of care for Cincinnati's homeless and help them so that homeless men and women can successfully move from homelessness to homes and become productive members of society once again," said Qualls.

Qualls says the Drop Inn Center's Executive Director told council the center needs to move from its current location to better serve the homeless.

For more on the Homelessness to Homes Initiative go to: http://www.strategiestoendhomelessness.org/what-we-do/planning-and-coordination/homeless-to-homes-plan-and-initiative/