The Renew Collaborative brings together four organizations – three local and one from Boston – to reduce eviction rates and build and rethink relationships between tenants and property owners.

The aim is to reduce the number of nonpayment evictions for tenants in the Greater Cincinnati region, provide longer-term stabilization for families who participate, and demonstrate to property owners the financial advantages of keeping families housed versus pursuing eviction.

A diverse set of partners are engaged in this multiyear initiative: United Way of Greater Cincinnati, HomeStart, GreenLight Fund, the Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) and the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts.

United Way of Greater Cincinnati is the lead agency with HomeStart providing guidance and support.

Based out of Boston, HomeStart is the originator of the Renew eviction-prevention model, and it will provide guidance to all partnering agencies as the program is established and executed.

GreenLight Fund is a national organization whose mission is to provide innovative and effective responses for communities with unmet local needs. The local GreenLight Fund organization is investing in the Renew Collaborative to meet the housing needs of our region.

Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA) will be the initial launch partner. CMHA families and individuals facing acute rental crises will be referred by CMHA to the Renew Collaborative Coordinator employed by United Way.

Finally, the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Help Center will provide a supportive role in this work, assisting with navigating legal issues as they arise. In years to come, the role of the Help Center will expand as the Renew Collaborative extends its network of property owners beyond those of CMHA.

In year one of this multiyear initiative, CMHA will be the partner connecting renters to United Way’s Renew Collaborative team.