Congressman Turner Advances Safety & Social Services Initiative in Downtown Dayton
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10) announced today that a $1 million Community Funding Project advanced out of the House Appropriations Committee to fund improvements to the Gateway Men’s Homeless Shelter. This marks a significant milestone in implementing recommendations developed by the Downtown Dayton Working Group to enhance safety and quality of life in the downtown area.
“Last year, at the request of downtown community and business leaders, we established the Downtown Dayton Working Group, with the goal of identifying practical, community-driven solutions to address public safety challenges in downtown Dayton. This community project funding is a direct result of this group's work and addresses a clear need within our community,” Congressman Turner said.
Following months of collaboration among our business leaders, nonprofit organizations, law enforcement, and local officials, the Working Group issued a series of recommendations aimed at making downtown safer, stronger, and more welcoming.
The Working Group identified four areas of concern: safety, social services, intergovernmental coordination, and economic development. The Working Group made real progress on tackling these areas of concern, including the recent establishment of a dedicated police force to monitor the RTA hub.
The Working Group additionally recommended increasing shelter capacity, enhancing coordination among services providers, and investing in facilities that better meet the needs of those seeking assistance. This includes the creation of an engagement unit for men in need of shelter, a medical unit for men that are not yet able to be in the general public space due to health issues, and a transitional housing portion for men working and moving toward permanent housing.
This $1 million will be a major step in our effort to realize those ambitions. The new funding will support the transformation of the Gateway Men’s Homeless Shelter into a comprehensive continuum of care campus, advance the Working Group’s recommendations to strengthen resources for Dayton’s homeless population, while improving public safety and the overall health of downtown Dayton.
“This funding is welcome news for Dayton and for the men who rely on Gateway for shelter and support," said Dayton Mayor Shenise Turner-Sloss. "The City of Dayton is committed to reimagining Gateway as a true model of continuum of care, and this investment helps move that vision forward. These federal dollars will help support our most vulnerable residents, and I want to thank our state and federal partners for their commitment to providing these resources. I also want to thank Homefull for their bold vision and leadership to reimagine Gateway. The funds will help improve the quality of life at Gateway and provide dignity for those who rely on the shelter," added Mayor Turner-Sloss.
Dayton City Manager, Shelley Dickstein, added that "What makes the Gateway Men’s Shelter Renovation project stand out is the transformative design that co-locates the emergency shelter, transitional housing, medical bay, and day services on a single campus. We are grateful to Congressman Turner for securing this funding and the support in coordinating investment for the unhoused population as it addresses the whole person: health, stability, and community reintegration."
Today’s announcement represents an important milestone in the Working Group’s effort to revitalize the downtown area. Congressman Turner remains committed to working alongside the City of Dayton, the mayor, law enforcement, and community leaders to strengthen public safety and ensure downtown Dayton remains a vibrant place to live, work, and visit.