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Dozens of people without a stable place to rest their heads at night gather each week at downtown Cincinnati's Christ Church Cathedral to lift their voices in song.

The city of Findlay in northwest Ohio is seeing a growing number of people living on the streets. It's helping its downtown businesses prepare to coexist with that population.

For more than 15 years, a coordinated community effort has been working to end homelessness in Greater Cincinnati. Now some of the partners involved in that work are hoping data science could be the key to success.

The funding comes from federal stimulus through the American Rescue Plan Act.

Hamilton Municipal Judge Dan Gattermeyer says he and community activists came to the same conclusion three years ago: that lots of people being charged with low-level crimes needed help finding food and housing.

Among the key components of the plan: much more focus on preventing people from experiencing homelessness in the first place. That's something local and national groups are applauding.

Strategies to End Homelessness President and CEO Kevin Finn says the plan's focus on prevention could make a big difference, if it's implemented.

"Engineering Systems for the Common Good" is a new class taught by Professor Rául Ordóñez. He was inspired to help people while growing up in Ecuador where poverty was all around him.

The donation is the largest private grant in Strategies to End Homelessness' history.

Shelterhouse's Executive Director Arlene Nolan says the organization opens additional space each year to accommodate those who may not be comfortable staying in a shelter regularly and simply need a warm place to sleep during the coldest days.