A Hoarding Alliance local resource guide

Hoarding support in Cleveland, Ohio.

A respectful place to begin, whether you are looking for support for yourself, worried about someone you love, or trying to respond to a safety, housing, care, or practical concern in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.

People first.Then the stuff.A Fight the Blight initiative

Start here - Fight the Blight

You do not have to know the perfect next step.

Fight the Blight is the nonprofit and virtual-group front door for people affected by hoarding and clutter concerns, including people who are directly affected and supporters who want to learn how to provide support. People in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County can also use current city, county, state, nonprofit, peer-support, qualified-care, housing, shelter, food, legal, transportation, code, disposal, and practical pathways. No outside listing is an endorsement; each organization sets its own eligibility, cost, hours, service area, capacity, consent, privacy, and safety rules.

For immediate danger

For immediate danger, fire, serious injury, violence, or a life-threatening medical emergency, call 911. For behavioral-health or substance-use crisis support in Ohio, call or text 988. For housing, food, utilities, transportation, and other basic-needs navigation, call 211. Confirm the current local response before relying on it.

First conversations

A few good places to start

You do not need to know the perfect service name before reaching out. These organizations can help you understand the landscape and identify a next step.

Free local information and referral - Cuyahoga County and Northeast Ohio; referral capacity varies

United Way 211 First Call for Help

Cuyahoga County identifies 211 as a free, confidential, 24-hour way to connect people with local housing, utilities, food, health care, caregiving, legal, transportation, and other basic-needs resources. Call 211 and explain what is happening; a navigator can help identify a next available pathway. It is a navigation service, not emergency dispatch or a guarantee of placement.

Hoarding-specific education and peer groups - Countywide; group schedule and participation details must be confirmed

Hoarding Connection of Cuyahoga County

Benjamin Rose describes the Hoarding Connection as a collaboration of more than 20 organizations that provides education, resource connections, and Buried in Treasures groups throughout Cuyahoga County. The group is voluntary and action-oriented; it does not provide direct cleanup services or financial assistance. Check the current calendar for sessions and events.

Behavioral-health crisis and homelessness response - Cuyahoga County; crisis, safety, and service-capacity limits apply

FrontLine Service

FrontLine Service provides 24/7 crisis support for people dealing with mental-health concerns, substance use, trauma, or homelessness. Its Cuyahoga County crisis system includes Care Response, a non-police response for eligible behavioral-health crises, mobile crisis, and connections to local support. It is not a routine decluttering service; use 911 for immediate danger, fire, or a medical emergency.

Aging, disability, home support, and protective-services navigation - Countywide; age, disability, and program rules apply

Cuyahoga County Division of Senior and Adult Services

The County's Division of Senior and Adult Services provides home-based support, benefits assistance, outreach, information services, and Adult Protective Services. Ask about the right pathway for an older adult or adult with a disability, including home support and self-neglect concerns. This is not a routine cleanup service or emergency dispatch.

Qualified-care pathway - Cleveland and Northeast Ohio; clinical intake, insurance, and wait-time rules apply

MetroHealth Behavioral Health

MetroHealth offers behavioral-health evaluations and treatment in inpatient and outpatient settings, including counseling, therapy, medication management, group services, and substance-use treatment. It is not listed as a hoarding-specific program; ask about current intake, coverage, wait times, and whether the clinician's approach fits the person's goals.

Peer support, family education, and information - Greater Cleveland; group schedules and helpline hours vary

NAMI Greater Cleveland

NAMI Greater Cleveland offers free peer support groups, family support, education, information, referrals, and advocacy. Its services are broader than hoarding support but may help people and supporters who are also navigating mental-health concerns. Confirm current group schedules, registration, accessibility, and fit; in a crisis, call or text 988.

Safety and stability

When the concern involves safety, housing, or crisis

These pathways serve different situations. Read the labels carefully before calling, especially when a response may involve crisis care, protective services, shelter, housing rules, legal advocacy, or emergency dispatch.

Immediate danger and emergency dispatch - Cleveland and Cuyahoga County; use for fire, medical emergency, violence, or immediate threat

911 Emergency Services

Call 911 when there is immediate danger, fire, a serious medical emergency, violence, or a threat that cannot wait for a scheduled service. Tell the dispatcher the exact address, known hazards, mobility needs, and whether anyone may be trapped. Emergency dispatch is not a hoarding-support program, counseling service, or cleanup provider.

Behavioral-health and substance-use crisis support - Ohio and nationwide; free call or text, 24/7; not a substitute for 911

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

Call or text 988 for emotional distress, a mental-health or substance-use crisis, or concern about someone else. Counselors can listen, help with safety planning, and connect callers to local services. This is not a hoarding-specific service or cleanup line; call 911 for fire, a medical emergency, or immediate danger.

24/7 crisis line and non-police behavioral-health response - Cuyahoga County; crisis assessment and safety limits apply

FrontLine Service / Cuyahoga County Care Response

FrontLine answers Cuyahoga County's crisis line and describes Care Response as a non-police team that can provide crisis intervention, counseling, referrals, and connections to support services for eligible behavioral-health crises. FrontLine says Care Response operates countywide seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Call 911 for immediate danger, fire, or a medical emergency.

Protective-services reporting for older adults and eligible vulnerable adults - Cuyahoga County; statutory eligibility and assessment rules apply

Cuyahoga County Adult Protective Services

Cuyahoga County APS investigates reports involving abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation. The County says its hotline is open seven days a week, 24 hours a day, including holidays. Use this when serious vulnerability or inability to provide for one's own safety is part of the concern; APS is a protective-services pathway, not a general decluttering service. Call 911 for immediate danger.

Housing safety and code navigation - Cleveland city limits; complaint, inspection, notice, and enforcement rules apply

Cleveland 311 Building and Housing Issues

Cleveland 311 accepts non-emergency requests about building and housing issues, including unsafe or unhealthy conditions, smoke or fire alarms, electrical hazards, no heat, plumbing, vacant properties, and other code concerns. A 311 report can lead to inspection or enforcement; it is not a support group or consent-based cleanup service. Ask about the process and possible housing consequences when safety allows.

Fire-safety pathway - Cleveland residents; eligibility and scheduling must be confirmed

Cleveland Division of Fire / Operation Save-A-Life

Cleveland's fire-prevention information points residents to Operation Save-A-Life for free smoke alarms, batteries, and installation. The City describes the program as serving eligible older and low-income Cleveland residents. Confirm current scheduling, eligibility, access needs, and the limits of the service before relying on it.

Home-safety and repair navigation - Cleveland city limits; income, ownership, application, and program-status rules apply

Cleveland Home Repair and Healthy Homes

The City describes Healthy Homes assessments and repair pathways for health and safety concerns. Its current page says universal home-repair intake is temporarily paused while earlier applications are processed and directs people who need help now to 311 and the City's home-repair resource guide. Confirm current intake, eligibility, and whether a program addresses the actual hazard.

Homelessness prevention and housing-system coordination - Cleveland and Cuyahoga County; coordinated-intake and capacity rules apply

Cuyahoga County Continuum of Care

The County's Continuum of Care coordinates agencies that prevent homelessness, assist people who are homeless, and connect people to stable housing. It is useful when clutter, eviction, displacement, or unsafe conditions have created a housing crisis. It does not guarantee shelter or permanent housing; call 211 or ask FrontLine about the current entry point.

Housing-stability advocacy and street outreach - Cleveland and Northeast Ohio; outreach and service-capacity rules apply

Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless

NEOCH provides street outreach and advocacy for people experiencing homelessness and works toward safe, affordable housing. It may be relevant when clutter, eviction, displacement, or unsafe conditions are connected to homelessness. Confirm current outreach, eligibility, and referral boundaries; it is not emergency dispatch or a guaranteed housing placement.

Housing-rights information and civil legal aid - Cuyahoga County; income, case type, deadlines, and capacity rules apply

Legal Aid Society of Cleveland

Legal Aid provides housing information and may assist qualifying residents with repairs, habitability, eviction, and related civil legal matters. It is relevant when a housing condition or disability concern intersects with a notice, landlord dispute, or housing loss. Ask about current intake and deadlines; it cannot provide emergency response or guarantee representation.

People and practical help

Housing, food, care, transportation, and ongoing support

These listings connect the local community with housing, food, behavioral health, benefits, transit, survivor advocacy, disability support, peer support, and practical resources. Ask about current availability, cost, scope, consent, and safety before relying on them.

Benefits navigation - Countywide; program, income, household, and document rules apply

Cuyahoga County Job and Family Services

County benefits staff can help residents explore Medicaid, SNAP, cash assistance, and other supportive services. Eligibility varies by program and household. Ask what documents are needed, whether an application can be completed online, and which local office or partner can help with accessibility.

State application and benefits access - Ohio; account, verification, and program rules apply

Ohio Benefits Self-Service Portal

Ohio Benefits is the State's portal to check potential eligibility, apply for Medicaid, SNAP, and cash assistance, and view case information. A person may be able to learn about programs without logging in, but an account is required for many application and case functions. Confirm current processing and document requirements.

Caregiver and older-adult navigation - Cleveland; age, disability, service-area, and program rules vary

Cleveland Department of Aging caregiver resources

The City's caregiver guidance points people toward respite, caregiver support, and local aging resources, including connections to the regional aging network. Ask about home support, caregiver relief, transportation, nutrition, cost, waitlists, and whether the service fits the person's needs. This is not automatic free cleanup assistance.

Aging, disability, caregiver, and long-term-services navigation - Countywide; assessment and program rules apply

Cuyahoga County Aging and Disability Resource Center

The County's ADRC connects older adults, people with disabilities, and caregivers to information and referrals through the County's centralized intake. Ask about home-and-community supports, benefits, transportation, caregiver services, and the appropriate local provider. Confirm eligibility, fees, wait time, and service area.

Food assistance, benefits help, and resource referrals - Greater Cleveland; household, site, and program rules vary

Greater Cleveland Food Bank

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank connects people to food distributions, partner pantries, benefits enrollment, and other stability resources. Its Community Resource Center in Cleveland describes food assistance and referrals for housing, employment, and health care. Confirm current hours, household rules, identification, pickup or delivery options, and SNAP assistance.

Public housing and housing-choice resources - Cuyahoga County; waitlist, income, screening, and property rules apply

Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority

CMHA provides public-housing and housing-choice resources in Cuyahoga County. Use its current application and property information to understand available communities and whether a list is open. Housing is not guaranteed, wait times vary, and applications require personal and household information; confirm accessibility and reasonable-accommodation options directly.

Repair and housing-preservation referrals - Cleveland; program, ownership, income, and funding rules vary

Cleveland Home Repair Resource Guide

The City's home-repair guide points residents to available partners and programs, including low-interest repair loans and income-eligible repair assistance. It is a way to explore a health or safety repair pathway while the City's universal intake is paused. Confirm current program status, project scope, and whether the household qualifies.

Homelessness-system navigation - Cleveland and Cuyahoga County; coordinated-entry, shelter, and capacity rules apply

Cuyahoga County Office of Homeless Services

The County's homelessness system coordinates shelters, transitional housing, permanent housing, and supportive services. Ask 211 or a current County or FrontLine entry point about how to access coordinated intake when a person is homeless or at risk. Shelter, housing, and placement are not guaranteed and this is not a cleanup service.

Household hazardous-waste and disposal information - Cuyahoga County; material, event, and community rules apply

Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District / CuyahogaRecycles

CuyahogaRecycles explains how residents can safely dispose of household hazardous waste such as oil-based paint, pesticides, automotive fluids, and other products. The District works with county communities on collection events and disposal information. Check accepted materials, locations, dates, and limits before transporting anything; this is not whole-home cleanup or emergency response.

Accessible transportation - Greater Cleveland; disability certification, scheduling, fare, and service-area rules apply

Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority ADA and Paratransit

GCRTA describes accessible fixed-route service and ADA paratransit for riders who cannot independently use regular public transit because of a disability. An application and eligibility determination are required for paratransit, and rides must be scheduled. Confirm current certification, companion, fare, pickup window, and service-area rules.

Disability rights and advocacy - Ohio; disability, issue, intake, and case-capacity rules apply

Disability Rights Ohio

Disability Rights Ohio provides information, advocacy, and protection-and-advocacy services for people with disabilities. It may be relevant to discrimination, abuse, access, housing, institutional, or service barriers. Ask about current intake and scope; it is not a general cleanup, housing-placement, or emergency service.

Aging, caregiver, home-and-community, housing, and hoarding-connection resources - Greater Cleveland; program and eligibility rules vary

Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging

Benjamin Rose offers aging and caregiver programs, home-and-community support, housing resources, and the Hoarding Connection of Cuyahoga County. Its WeCare coaching program and other services may help caregivers or older adults identify a next step. Ask about current intake, age or care criteria, cost, waitlists, and service area.

Qualified-care, support-group, organizer, and task-force search - Cleveland, telehealth, and national options; verify every listing directly

IOCDF Hoarding Resource Directory

The International OCD Foundation directory can help locate clinicians, support groups, professional organizers, and task forces that identify an interest in hoarding-related concerns. Directory inclusion is not an endorsement or credential guarantee. Confirm licensure, experience, consent-based pacing, privacy, fees, insurance, wait time, and service area directly.

Peer-led and family support - Greater Cleveland; registration, schedule, and fit must be confirmed

NAMI Greater Cleveland support groups

NAMI Greater Cleveland offers free peer-led groups for adults living with mental illness and for family members, caregivers, and loved ones. These groups are broader than hoarding support but may provide connection and shared experience. Confirm current schedule, format, registration, accessibility, and whether a group feels appropriate.

Private-pay practical and peer-support pathway; confirm fit, scope, availability, consent, privacy, travel, and fees

The Peer Tree

The Peer Tree is the private-pay pathway for nonclinical hoarding and clutter support, including organizing help, groups, family guidance, and practical next steps. Ask about current service area, scope, pacing, privacy, consent, availability, and cost before beginning. The Peer Tree is separate from Fight the Blight's nonprofit programming.

Digital peer support - Available online; not therapy, clinical care, or emergency support

Unburied

Unburied, from The Peer Tree, is a judgment-free digital peer-support pathway for people affected by hoarding and clutter concerns and for friends and family supporters. It can offer connection, tools, and ongoing momentum from Cleveland or anywhere else. It is not therapy, clinical care, a crisis service, or emergency support.

A note from the Alliance

Start with the person. Then decide what the situation needs.

This guide is anchored in Cleveland, Ohio, and includes city, county, state, nonprofit, national, and independent pathways. A listing here does not mean Fight the Blight endorses every provider or can guarantee availability. The Hoarding Alliance is not a city or county agency, therapy practice, emergency service, or cleanup company. We will keep reviewing this page, but please confirm details directly before relying on them.

Need help choosing a path? Contact Fight the Blight