Talbert House takes over operation of Mount Airy Center

Sept. 1, 2009 -- Effective today, the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services will no longer handle operations of the Mount Airy Center homeless shelter. The agency has transferred operations to Talbert House.

As the agency focuses on mandated services in light of shrinking state allocations, the best course of action was to turn the shelter over to a community provider with more experience providing direct services to this population. The agency has worked closely not only with Talbert House, but also the City of Cincinnati, County Community Development and the Continuum of Care for the Homeless.

Talbert House runs mental health, substance abuse, employment and other programs that will be available to the homeless men at Mount Airy.

Talbert House officials plan to operate the shelter in a similar manner to HCJFS. A transition plan was put into place to help Talbert House officials learn about the day-to-day operations of the shelter. HCJFS employees who worked at the shelter were given the opportunity to apply and interview for the positions at the shelter through Talbert House.

The agency expects to save $500,000 annually with Talbert House taking over shelter operations.