EDEN's office hours are 8:30 am - 4:45 pm. The agency will close at 1:00 on the following Fridays in August: August 7, 14, 21, and 28. While appointments are encouraged, vendors and visitors will be permitted at HQ or any EDEN site. Please call our main line 216-961-9690 for scheduling. | Questions? Email edeninfo@EDENcle.org and we will respond.

September 2026
Norfolk Southern grants $50,000 to EDEN in Support of Housing Stability and Homelessness Prevention Initiative

EDEN is grateful to announce it has been granted a $50,000 grant from Norfolk Southern through its Thriving Communities Grant Program. The grant will support EDEN's Housing Stability and Homelessness Prevention Initiative. Without timely intervention, many households encountering barriers to housing risk slipping back into homelessness. EDEN's initiative eliminates these barriers by providing targeted support that helps families secure housing. This fund serves two purposes:

1) Help families secure housing, prevent eviction, and maintain housing stability by providing timely emergency assistance. We bridge the gap between crisis and long-term security, ensuring families build lasting foundations. In 2025, 1,076 households (2,410 individuals) received this assistance. Because of the availability of the Fund, these households were able to leave homelessness and move into new homes or avoid homelessness altogether because their eviction was prevented.

2) Many households coming out of homelessness arrive with nothing but a bag of clothes and a few personal items. Newly housed residents are provided with essential household goods—such as dishes, cookware, bedding, bathing items, and cleaning supplies—so that they can successfully sustain their new home environment from day one.

This grant is part of Norfolk Southern's commitment to strengthening the communities it serves across its 22-state network. Launched in 2023, Norfolk Southern's open-application grant programs are designed to support organizations working to further the areas of safety, sustainability, workforce development, and community resilience.

"EDEN's housing programs provide a critical service to the northeast Ohio community—not only to its economy and reputation as a thriving community, but to the people who are impacted by housing insecurities in any way," says Elaine Gimmel, Executive Director of EDEN. "Throughout the affordable housing crisis, we've never stopped working to provide housing solutions to those facing homelessness and housing insecurity. However, we also recognize that we have much work left to do, as the needs are ongoing—and increasing."

Nationwide, there was an 18% increase in people becoming homeless in 2024, mostly due to the after-effects of the resulting economic and affordable housing crises following the COVID pandemic. Here in Cuyahoga County, it is estimated that five thousand people are homeless every year.

"The Thriving Communities Grant Program supports initiatives that bolster local economies and promote long-term resilience," said Kristin Wong, Director of the Norfolk Southern Foundation & Community Impact. "From sustainability efforts and job training to community-building programs, the grant empowers nonprofit and community organizations working to create lasting impact."

The Norfolk Southern grant application process for 2026 is open through Aug. 3. More information is found on the company's website.

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a 22-state freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver approximately 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country's population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports across the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share this post!

NEWS ARCHIVE

September 2026
Norfolk Southern grants $50,000 to EDEN in Support of Housing Stability and Homelessness Prevention Initiative

August 2026
Community Celebrates Ribbon Cutting of Renovated & Expanded Norma Herr Center

August 2026
EDEN Secures New Markets Tax Credit Financing for Norma Herr Center Renovation and Expansion

July 2026
Renovation of Norma Herr Center Nears Completion

July 2025
EDEN and Partners Celebrate the Groundbreaking of Emerald Senior

July 2025
Norfolk Southern grants $30,000 to EDEN in support of Homeless/Eviction Prevention Fund

May 2025
5 Smart Reasons to Sponsor EDENs HOMECOMING 2025

April 2025
EDEN eNews for Housing Providers:How to Get the Most from Your Partnership with EDEN

March 2025
EDEN eNews for Housing Providers: Update on Assistance Programs

February 2025
EDEN eNews for Housing Providers: Frequently Asked Questions About HAP Contracts

February 2025
Please Advocate to Protect and Fund HUD to Maintain Critical Housing Programs

January 2025
EDEN eNews for Housing Providers: Renting to Tenants with Criminal Backgrounds

December 2024
It just takes 5 people who care ...