Stella Lukusa is a student at Miami University. Before beginning her studies at Miami, Lukusa experienced homelessness with her family twice. Photo by Venessa Konadu.

Faces of resilience: The battle against homelessness

By Venessa Konadu

Miami University journalism student

A silent struggle with homelessness tests the resilience of Oxford, Ohio’s, citizens.

One Miami University student understands this all too well.

Stella Lukusa, a student at Miami University, explains what it was like to experience homelessness with her family before beginning her studies. Audio produced by Venessa Konadu.

Stella Lukusa is a student at Miami University. She says her family’s experience of homelessness was marked by upheaval and uncertainty. Eviction became a recurring theme, forcing them to pack their belongings into storage and live out of suitcases.

The Lukusa family’s encounter with homelessness occurred amidst the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic. The circumstances leading to their homelessness were multifaceted, rooted in her parents’ immigrant status, rent prices and the challenges of finding stable employment without formal education credentials.

The latest edition of the State of Homelessness Report, released in 2023, paints a stark picture of the homelessness crisis gripping the nation. With a steady rise in homelessness since 2017, 2022 saw record highs in counts of individuals and chronically homeless individuals.

According to the report from the National Alliance to End Homelessness, the January 2022 Point-in-Time Count revealed that 582,462 people were experiencing homelessness across America. Of these, 72% were individual adults, while 28% were people living in families with children.

Specific populations disproportionately affected by homelessness include chronically homeless individuals, veterans and unaccompanied youth under 25.

In Oxford, Ohio, recent point-in-time counts have identified 96 individuals, including 20 children, unhoused and living in shelters, schools, social service agencies and camps.

In response to this issue, plans are underway for a cottage community in Oxford, comprising tiny homes primarily designed for homeless families, according to city officials.

Spearheaded by Habitat for Humanity, the construction of low-income housing units is to provide not just shelter but also pathways to stability and self-sufficiency, according to Oxford Mayor Bill Snavely.

“We believe affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities,” Snavely says. “The city’s economic development department is currently working on providing jobs and affordable housing for people who are homeless and unemployed.”

The infographic displays the homeless population in Oxford, Ohio. McKinney Vento is shown in yellow and represents those in shelters, while the HUD definition, in black, includes people living in places not meant for living, emergency shelters, transitional housing or those leaving institutions where they temporarily stayed. Source: OASH. Graphic by Venessa Konadu.

The city’s economic specialist, Seth Cropenbaker, says they’re taking a multi-pronged approach to the issue.

“Our goal is to minimize obstacles to entering the workforce and homeownership, utilizing public resources to enhance the quality of life for our city’s residents,” Cropenbaker says. “This involves supporting entrepreneurs, simplifying housing options, and reducing barriers.”

To community leaders, homelessness is the top priority issue.

“It’s horrible. Yeah. It’s terrible. You don’t want that in your community,” Snavely says. “The council has three main priorities. Our very top goals. Number one is housing for everybody.”

The Haven House Emergency Shelter in Hamilton, Ohio, commenced operations in 1982. Since its inception, it has offered a safe and comfortable refuge for homeless individuals, including men, women and children. The shelter accommodates children and operates independently from government funding. Over the course of 33 years, it has relied solely on donations from individuals, churches and local businesses to sustain its services. Photo by Venessa Konadu.

Haven House Emergency Shelter, in Hamilton, Ohio, which began operations in 1982, serves as a refuge for the homeless population of Butler County, offering transitional housing solutions for families in need.

According to its website, the facility, a fully renovated apartment building with twelve individual housing units, accommodates up to four people per unit with semi-private sleeping arrangements and private bathrooms. Residents share a dining room and kitchen where meals are served by shelter staff. Families remain together in one unit.

The shelter’s capacity varies depending on the number and size of families and the availability of food and supplies, typically hosting around 25 people nightly.

“Haven House provides temporary emergency shelter and food to single fathers with children, single mothers with children, married couples and families, entirely without government funding of any kind,” Joy, a shift manager at the shelter, says. “Instead, Haven relies solely on contributions from interested donors, clubs, organizations, foundations, corporations, and churches.”

According to Joy, each month, Haven House opens its doors to approximately three or four new families, providing them with more than just a roof over their heads. Diapers, toiletries and warm meals are just some of the essentials offered to ease the burdens of displacement.

However, admission to Haven House comes with certain criteria.

“Single men, single women, and unmarried couples are not accommodated due to safety concerns, particularly for the children in their care. This policy underscores the shelter’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable individuals,” Joy says.

“Success hinges on a willingness to strive for a better future.”

A close-up image of the entrance to the Haven emergency shelter shows the words, “I was hungry, and you gave me food,” and “I was a stranger, and you took me in.” Photo by Venessa Konadu.

In 2021, Oxford directed a million dollars from the American Rescue Plan towards homelessness initiatives, primarily channeled through organizations like the Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS) and Oxford Area Solutions for Housing (OASH).

The Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Services (TOPSS) is a non-profit organization that helps those facing the harsh realities of homelessness and food insecurity.

TOPSS functions as a pantry and social service agency serving the Talawanda School District and Oxford, Ohio, area. Its mission extends beyond social services to act as a lifeline for individuals and families in financial need.

TOPSS provides assistance to those facing significant challenges within the Talawanda School District, offering weekly pantry provisions and emergency aid like rent and utility support to eligible individuals, ensuring no one is left behind.

A photograph of Maggie, the pantry coordinator, preparing food items for a customer at TOPSS. Photo by Venessa Konadu.

“Yearly, we serve a few thousand families, on average,” pantry coordinator Maggie Lubisch says. “We aim to reduce as many barriers as possible and make access to food easier.”

Securing funding for food and operational costs remains a challenge for TOPSS.

“The organization thrives on community support and strategic partnerships, including grants and assistance from retired professors. Staffing remains a critical issue,” Lubisch says. “However, the solidarity of Oxford’s city officials has contributed immensely to the progression of the organization.”

Talawanda Oxford Pantry and Social Service (TOPSS) is the social service that provides food for low-income families and the homeless. Photo by Venessa Konadu.

However, securing funding for food and operational costs remains a perpetual challenge. Despite this, TOPSS thrives on the support of the community and strategic partnerships.

“We’re fortunate to receive grants and support from retired professors and various sources,” Lubisch says. “But staffing remains a critical issue, as it does for many nonprofits.”

According to Snavely, the upsurge of homelessness in the city is a result of rent and mortgage prices.

“It’s beyond the ability of the city to control rents. The state does not let us do that,” Snavely says.

“And so, because those rents are so high, then houses, when they become available anywhere near campus, are automatically exorbitantly expensive. So, the homeless or low-income people, there’s no way they can get in there. They can’t afford it.”

Reflecting on her experiences, Stella Lukusa emphasized the critical need for community support, especially for homeless children. She says shelters equipped with adequate funding and resources could provide a lifeline for families in crisis. Lukusa underscored the importance of sustainable solutions that guarantee shelter and necessities for vulnerable populations.

Despite the hardships endured, Lukusa emerged with a message of hope and resilience.

“Things always get better,” she says.

While homelessness tested their resolve, Lukusa says it also revealed the kindness of strangers and the resilience of the human spirit. She urged others facing adversity to hold onto hope and to seek support from those willing to lend a helping hand.

Photo of Seth Copenbaker, the city’s economic development specialist, in his office at College@Elm. He is stationed at College@Elm because of the partnership they city has with the innovation center. Photo by Venessa Konadu.

Copenbaker says that the city’s support for the homeless involves significant financial investment. He says the city has provided land for the construction of houses and solicited proposals from companies to manage them.

Habitat for Humanity will not only oversee the construction and management of the cottages but also provide educational programs for families unfamiliar with homeownership processes, like financing and mortgages, aiming to empower them to become responsible homeowners.

“By investing financially in supporting the homeless, the city demonstrates its commitment to addressing social issues and improving the quality of life for its residents,” Copenbaker says.

According to Lubisch, the city is currently in its early stages of building a facility to house both TOPSS and the Family Resource Center under one roof.

“We’re on the brink of breaking ground for our new building,” Lubisch says. “This one-stop shop will merge TOPSS with the Family Resource Center, streamlining access to essential resources for our community.”

Lukusa has benefited from such resources in the past. She shares a hopeful message to those facing similar struggles.

“Even in tough times, there’s always hope. It may seem cliché, but it’s true,” Lukusa says. “When facing challenges like homelessness or hunger, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But remember, there are kind people and resources out there ready to help. So, always hold onto hope and know that things can improve.”