Scranton Cemetery homeless camp residents relocated, some find shelter

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) - A group of roughly 30 people who lived in a homeless encampment at Scranton Cemetery through the winter has moved out, many finding their way to seasonal shelter and some working toward permanent housing.

The 19 News Troubleshooters first reported on the encampment back in October.

In November, the director of public health said the focus was on a housing solution.

But through some of the coldest days of the winter, people were still in the homeless encampment.

Darlene Dosreis, who lives near the cemetery, said she and her neighbors provided coats, heaters, charcoal, and food to the group throughout the harsh winter.

“The community came together, and started helping, a lot of the restaurants came, and then when I was over there, they even offered me soup,” Dosreis said.

The cemetery gates were locked at the beginning of March, and the camp has been empty since ealier in the year.

She said she has not seen any of the former residents since they left.

“I’ve looked around in the neighborhood, and I have not seen hair or tail of anyone,” Dosreis said. “I’m hoping and praying they got housing for them.”

A city spokesperson directed inquiries to the Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services, calling that agency “the lead agency responsible for providing resources and housing solutions for our unhoused residents.”

The Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services is the lead agency responsible for providing resources and housing solutions for our unhoused residents. The City of Cleveland has played a proactive, supportive role—recognizing that it takes all of us working together to meet the needs of our unhoused community with compassion and dignity. For additional information, please contact the Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services.

The county sent a statement saying the office “does not conduct street outreach efforts, nor does the office assist with the clearing of encampments.”

Cuyahoga County supports the City of Cleveland’s Home for Every Neighbor program through our Office of Homeless Services and the Cleveland/Cuyahoga County Continuum of Care by connecting unsheltered individuals to permanent supportive housing, programming, and resources.  In doing so, we are helping to reduce shelter capacity, allowing the Home for Every Neighbor program to reach and serve even more residents.

Regarding the Scranton Cemetery inquiry, the Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services does not conduct street outreach efforts, nor does the office assist with the clearing of encampments.  Our shelter partners are always available to assist unhoused individuals who need shelter.

So 19 News went elsewhere to try and find some answers.

The Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless had some.

The organization says many people from the encampment went there for seasonal shelter.

A few worked with the organization for permanent housing.

“And that’s what we are here for, we are to help and to love one another, and help each other,” Dosreis said.