Public Policy and Advocacy
Moving from charity to change
At United Way of Greater Cleveland, we advocate for policies that remove barriers to economic opportunity and help Greater Clevelanders not just get by, but get ahead.
Our 2025–2026 Public Policy Agenda focuses on
- increasing access to workforce supports.
- expanding housing stability.
- protecting public benefit systems that allow for economic mobility.
We are committed to advancing statewide and local policies that support working families, increase regional economic mobility, ensure fair utility and housing practices, and increase access to 211.
Advocacy in action
Goal: Increase economic mobility and workforce participation; remove government barriers to self-sufficiency
We advocate for policy changes that make it easier for individuals to work, advance in their career, and move off public assistance without facing a sudden loss of benefits or unnecessary administrative obstacles.
Benefit cliff solutions
We serve on the leadership committee of the Ohio Economic Mobility Alliance, which supported the Ohio Benefit Bridge pilot program, an initiative that helps working families navigate benefits loss when their income rises slightly.
- Learn more in our blog on Benefit Cliffs.
SNAP eligibility improvements
We supported the 2024 update to SNAP eligibility from a hard cutoff at 130% of the federal poverty level to a gradual phase-out up to 200% of the federal poverty level, reducing the impact of this benefit cliff.
We also supported Ohio’s shift away from mandatory training requirements, giving recipients more flexibility in selecting training programs that fit their needs.
Driver's license reform
We advocated for Ohio HB 29, which was signed into law in January 2025. The bill eliminates automatic driver’s license suspensions for unpaid fines and fees, removing a major barrier to employment for thousands of Ohioans.
- Read the op-ed in Crain’s Cleveland by Ken Surratt, our Chief Community Investment Officer.
Child tax credit
We endorse the Governor’s proposal for a $1,000 Ohio Child Tax Credit for eligible families with children ages 0–6. This tax credit would help relieve financial stress on working families across the state.
Goal: Increase access to safe and stable housing
We advocate for policies that expand the supply of affordable workforce housing, protect renters, reduce the cost burden on homeowners, and ensure that utilities are affordable, transparent, and fairly administered.
Property tax relief for homeowners
We support a universal, needs-based approach to property tax relief that prioritizes equity and access to help all Ohioans struggling with rising housing costs.
Utility assistance and consumer protection
We are working to address the harmful impact of unregulated third-party utility resellers, particularly in Geauga County, where residents face inflated bills from out-of-state providers with no local accountability. We continue to push for reforms that ensure transparent pricing and legal protections for consumers.
Goal: Expand and strengthen 211 as a frontline resource for Ohioans
We advocate for sustained public funding and stronger partnerships to ensure that 211 is available across all of Ohio, helping residents connect to services and supporting government efforts in public health, disaster response, and workforce programs.
211 Helpline advocacy
We lead a statewide coalition advocating for sustainable 211 funding across all 88 Ohio counties and participate in federal advocacy efforts for national 211 support.
Locally, we use 211 data to inform government response. For example, during the August 2024 storm and extended power outages, our 211 call data revealed a sharp increase in food-related requests. This insight helped Cuyahoga County secure $250,000 in emergency food funding.
Public policy and advocacy committee
Taras Szmagala, Jr.
Chair, Eaton Corporation
India Birdsong Terry
Co-chair, Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority
Mike Caputo
Cypress
John Corlett
Center for Community Solutions
Colleen Cotter
Legal Aid Society of Cleveland
Dawn Farrell
Geauga Metropolitan Housing Authority
Renee Harvey
Cleveland Browns Foundation
Alana Jochum
Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund
Ira Kaplan
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Frances Mills
Cleveland Department of Public Health
Shari Obrenski
Cleveland Teachers Union
Ryan Puente
City of Cleveland
David Razum
Cuyahoga County
George Sample
Blue Streak Consultants
Sharon Sobol Jordan
United Way of Greater Cleveland
Kristin Warzocha
Greater Cleveland Foodbank
Vanessa Whiting
AES Management Corp.
Sonali Wilson, Esq.
Cleveland State University
