NEO SoJo

The Northeast Ohio Solutions Journalism (NEO SoJo) Collaborative’s Making Ends Meet project is composed of 18-plus Northeast Ohio news outlets working together on solutions-based journalism projects to tackle the area’s most pressing concerns.

Where are the workers? Employers must adapt to worker sentiment post-COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic caused many people to rethink their priorities, their work environments, and career choices. As more workers head toward gig work and freelance work-from-home jobs, employers are looking for new ways to attract and retain workers in a dwindling workforce. 
 
What is Minority Businesses Enterprise Certification, and why business owners should get it
Obtaining city, state, or federal Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) certification isn’t easy, but it can unlock some profitable business opportunities. Certification expert Raland Hatchett, president and CEO of RH Professional Services, shares his advice and tips on getting MBE certified.
Cleveland and Columbus offer LGBTQ+ business certification, but no companies are certified
LGBTQ+ Business Enterprises are part of an intentional effort to create jobs, provide opportunities and build equity. But why aren't LGBTQ+ companies signing up for the certification?
 
Help Wanted: Shortage of mental health workers stresses agencies, patients
Unprecedented demand for mental health workers and a sparse employee pipeline are adding stress to Ohio’s already strained behavioral health system—potentially putting pressure on other health systems or having detrimental effects on those needing services. The experts have some solutions.
Food desert: Central residents long for a grocery store as negotiations drag on
Many Cleveland neighborhoods—almost 60% according to one estimate—are not in close proximity to a grocery store, effectively stranding people access to fresh and healthy food. The Central neighborhood is no different. What’s being done about it?
Two Ohio House bills threaten Cleveland’s only LGBTQ+ public school
Ohio’s “Don’t Say Gay” bill and a second bill that restricts access to LGBTQ+ healthcare are looming in the state legislature. 
 
Stuck in Cleveland: Riders struggle to use public transit to get to work
Northeast Ohio residents’ ability to get to work by public transit has been in the spotlight in recent years, with the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority’s  NextGen route redesign, implemented in June 2021, attempting to improve service frequency and job access. This may help, but what else can be done? 
 
How area communities are building small transit solutions to solve big issue of sprawl
While GCRTA's recent NextGen route redesign has helped some people get to work on time, other smaller Northeast Ohio cities are working on their own public transit solutions, and how the Paradox Prize helped them do it.
In the zone: Archaic zoning regulations can hamper construction of new infill housing
Outdated city zoning codes in many Cleveland communities make new construction virtually impossible on the inner ring suburbs’ smaller vacant lots. But some communities are working toward adapting their codes to accommodate modern-day infill housing to meet a variety of needs.
 
Join us for a conversation with Cleveland, Philadelphia, and San Antonio about rising water bills
Earlier this month FreshWater Cleveland and the Northeast Ohio Journalism Collaborative ran a series on water affordability. Now we are hosting a virtual conversation to further discuss what can be about the rising costs of water and sewer bills. 
What Cleveland can learn from how San Antonio helps low-income residents with water bills
From Cleveland to Philly to San Antonio, water-discount programs aren’t reaching everyone they should. Because of this, University of Wisconsin-Madison associate professor Manny Teodoro says these programs should only be one part of the solution. What else can be done?
 
What can Philadelphia learn from Cleveland’s water department?
In the second part of this NEO SoJo series on water affordability, we travel from Philadelphia back to Cleveland to look at the successes and failings of water discount programs meant to help low-income people.
 
What can Cleveland learn from Philadelphia’s ambitious experiment in water billing?
Water has increasingly become more expensive for people struggling to make ends meet. In part one of this three part series, NEO SoJo reporter Conor Morris examines what Philadelphia is doing to relieve some people of the financial burden—and how Cleveland can follow suit. 

 
Cuyahoga County’s environmental toolkit sets forth planet-changing sustainability practices
In February, Cuyahoga County released its second Sustainable Cuyahoga report and Tool Kit, a follow up to its 2016 report with best practices for a cleaner, healthier urban core. But the entire community must work together to bring this change, say local experts. 
 
The lead hunters: Agents, inspectors working to ensure rental properties are lead-safe
By March 2023, all rental properties built before 1978 must earn Cleveland certification that they are lead-safe. Only about 9,000 units have been certified lead-safe so far, so inspectors are going through the city to ensure the estimated 100,000 units in the city comply.
Weathering the storm: How some LGBTQ+ businesses survived the pandemic
Many local businesses have suffered or closed permanently during the pandemic, while others have found new opportunities. Most local LGBTQ+ entrepreneurs say they’re weathering the ordeal—thanks in part to rising support from individuals and institutions in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond.
Utility bill struggles: Federal programs exist, but how easy are they to access?
Dealing with a mounting utility bill or shut-off notice can be scary. There are programs out there to help, but they can be difficult to navigate.
Can Cleveland finally close its digital divide? A local nonprofit says it has a plan.
DigitalC says its infrastructure improvements will bring affordable, reliable internet to the nation’s most disconnected city. But can the organization go from serving 1,100 to 40,000 customers in three years?
 
Eligible low-income renters aren’t aware of, or tapping into, sewer bill relief programs
The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is expanding its affordability program to now apply to renters, and to those with a higher income than before. Will that boost enrollment in a program that only had 12% of eligible customers signed up?
 
Federal aid arrives for low-income residents’ water and sewer bills
For the first time ever, the federal government has created a program to help low-income people with their water/sewer bills. Applications are now being accepted in Cleveland through CHN Partners.