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"In recognizing the humanity of our fellow beings, we pay ourselves the highest tribute."

— Thurgood Marshall

If you live in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park and need a safe place to stay tonight, please call CAM at (313) 305-0311.

CAM Call Line Operating hours:

Monday through Friday, 8am - 6pm

Visit camdetroit.org for the latest information on CAM services and any upcoming closures.

Other ways to access CAM services. Call CAM at (313) 305 - 0311 or going to one of the following Access Points for in-person assessments.

Temporary Closure of Housing Choice Voucher Waitlists

HAND received notification from MSHDA that, effective July 1, 2024, all Housing Choice Voucher waitlists have been temporarily closed. Unfortunately, no reopening date has been provided at this time. During this period, no new submissions or recertifications will be accepted. The Detroit Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program will be closed until further notice. Please note that this closure does not impact the following MSHDA programs: Project-Based Vouchers and Stability Voucher program

For any questions or further assistance, please email info@camdetroit.org

For regular updates, subscribe to the CAM newsletter.

CoC Builds Funding Application

The Detroit Continuum of Care recently released an application for a special funding opportunity from the Department of Housing and Urban Development called "CoC Builds". CoC Builds provides a unique opportunity for entities to apply for funding for capital costs for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) projects. The majority of the funds available must be used for capital costs (acquisition, new construction, rehabilitation) for PSH projects. 

The application for these funds will occur in two phases:

• Phase 1 applications: Due to the CoC by September 27
• Phase 2 application (if selected): Due to the CoC by November 18

Detroit CoC

Board Meeting

Join us at the next Detroit CoC Board Meeting taking place October 7 at 2pm.

2024 Board Calendar-at-a Glance

The Board Calendar is a tentative timeline for various projects that are being worked on by the CoC.

The City of Detroit’s Housing and Revitalization Department, through the Public Facility Rehabilitation program, is issuing a Notice of Funding Availability for qualified Detroit nonprofit organizations with eligible public facility rehabilitation projects.

• NOFA Start Date: Monday, August 26, 2024
• Virtual Pre-Application Meeting: Monday, September 9, 2024 at 2 pm
• NOFA Close Date: Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 3pm
• Public recording of all application submissions: Thursday, September 26, 2024 at 4 pm

For more information, please visit the City of Detroit's website

"Ruth Would Be Mighty Proud"

As Ruth Ellis Center Turns 25, the Mission of Its Namesake Lives On

“Without Ruth Ellis Center, I wouldn’t be the person I am,” Edwards tells Pride Source. “They opened so many doors for me at a very young age, even when I was known as this ‘unruly child.’ The staff didn’t see that. They saw a girl who had an ability to advocate for others, and they nurtured that by putting me in spaces where I could learn how to advocate for myself and others.”

— Krystina Edwards, Ruth Ellis Community Engagement Manager

Read the full article at Pridesource.com

Michigan's Campaign to End Homelessness Action Plan

2023-2025 and Progress Report

The MCTEH Action Plan establishes the parameters for what it will take to work toward that goal over the next 3 years. Homelessness is a complex and dynamic issue, but one that can be solved through a willingness to engage in transformative conversations and to collaborate in ways that stretch us beyond our comfort zones.

The 6 Goals from the Action Plan include:

Goal 1: Increase amount of safe, accessible & affordable housing targeted to households experiencing homelessness. 

Goal 2: Prevent homelessness whenever possible, targeting resources to households most at risk of becoming homeless. 

Goal 3: Collaborate with local and statewide systems that are crucial to preventing and ending homelessness. 

Goal 4: Improve equity within the homeless system and reduce racial disparities among households experiencing homelessness. 

Goal 5: Authentically engage people with lived experience (PWLE) of homelessness, especially in the form of ongoing partnerships rather than time-limited, one-sided engagements. 

Goal 6: Use data to measure progress and create accountability

Read the full plan here and the July 24 plan progress report here.

Housing Homestretch Campaign Sign On and Webinar

The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH) and the Rent is Too Damn High Coalition have partnered to launch the Housing Homestretch 2024 Campaign. The Campaign will convene to promote a set of legislative priorities during the November-December MI “Lame Duck” session. The legislature has yet to pass critical tenant protections that will change renters’ lives for the better. Join MCAH in their efforts to bring a final set of tenant protections to the finish line this legislative session by signing on to endorse our campaign as an individual or organization. 

You can find the full list of priorities and the sign on here

NLIHC's Out of Reach Report

For over 35 years, the National Low Income Housing Coalition's Out of Reach report has shown that affordable rental housing is increasingly out of reach for millions of Americans. The report's key figure, the Housing Wage, indicates the hourly pay needed for a full-time worker to afford a modest rental home without spending more than 30% of their income, based on HUD’s fair market rent (FMR). Read more about the report on NLIHC's website.

Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator Webinar Series: Emerging Findings on Strengthening Housing, Health, and

Social Care Partnerships

Session 1: September 18 | 3:00pm EST

A growing number of states are leveraging new opportunities under Medicaid to cover services and supports that help people find, obtain, and maintain their housing. In 2024, the Housing and Services Resource Center (HSRC) launched the Housing and Services Partnership Accelerator (HSPA) to advance innovative state strategies to provide housing-related services and supports to Medicaid-eligible people with disabilities and older adults who are at risk of or presently experiencing homelessness. Select HSPA states will share best practices, challenges, and lessons learned as they develop and implement effective partnerships and innovative solutions to advance housing stability.

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions on joining the webinar. The event will include real-time CART captioning and ASL interpreting. If you need additional accommodations to participate or have questions, please email HSRC@acl.hhs.gov.

Register for Session 1 here.

Supportive Housing: A Crucial Part of an Effective System

Sep 19, 2024 | 03:00pm EST

Supportive housing is a crucial part of a high-functioning homeless response system, connecting individuals and families with affordable housing and tailored wrap-around services. High-performing supportive housing providers prioritize client choice, deliver high quality services, and make data-focused decisions. They offer culturally responsive services and embed equity in every aspect of their work to help residents stabilize in housing and pursue their personal goals. In this webinar, communities will share how they have successfully integrated supportive housing as a key component of an effective system.

Register here.

Registration Now Open!

2024 Michigan Summit on Ending Homelessness

October 29 - 30, 2024

The annual Summit on Ending Homelessness provides a forum for federal, state, and local government, service providers, funders, and people with lived experience to share best practices in ending homelessness. This two-day event allows time for networking and collaboration for case managers and administrators who are diligently working to improve the welfare of people in Michigan who are living in poverty and homelessness. The Summit will take place at Lansing Center in Downtown Lansing.

Register here.

Signup to be an exhibitor or sponsor here.

Client Advocate

The Client Advocate will provide support to patrons of the warming center as needed in matters regarding shelter, treatment for alcohol & substance use disorder, and resource navigation. The Client Advocate will be responsible for maintaining guest records as it pertains to warming Center advocacy, and work closely with the Center Associate Director to collect data for potential Bridge Housing candidates.

Read the full job description here and contact William Kangas william@pfc.org.

For more employment opportunities visit Pope Francis's website.

THAW is now accepting applications for MEAP (Michigan Energy Assistance Program) through September 30th, 2024 (or until funds are depleted).

If you are interested in applying for MEAP, MI Water, or other THAW programs, please call/text THAW at 1-800-866-8429 or click below to begin your application.

Note: THAW is not able to accept walk-in or in person appointments on Fridays.

You can access the application here

Detroit Affordable Housing Database

Find affordable rental housing in Detroit on Detroit Home Connect, a resource to find multi-family housing based on your income and household needs. Search the Home Connect database here.

Facing a domestic violence issue and need assistance?

Need help with utility payments?

Seeking legal assistance for landlord/tenant issues?

Looking for food assistance?

Mental Health Resources

Trevor Project

We provide information & support to LGBTQ+ young people 24/7, all year round.

thetrevorproject.org/get-help/

DWIHN Mobile Crisis Unit

Call 844-IN-CRISIS (844) 462 - 74741, 7am to 11pm, to get you or a loved one connected to a crisis specialist and get a mobile crisis unit to their location.

My Safe Space Crisis Hotline

For young adults (313) 844-9136. The MCHS hotline connects youth experiencing housing and mental health crises to short-term mental health services.

ECHO Detroit 

ECHO Detroit is a free, confidential service designed to you help with: substance use;

behavioral health; domestic problems;

homelessness and housing insecurity;

other health concerns.

To get more information email info@echodetroit.org. To schedule an appointment, call or text (313) 674-5077

For this week's Fun Corner, we have a riddle.

I am four times as old as my daughter.

In 20 years time I shall be twice as old as her.

How old are we now?

The answer will be revealed in next week's newsletter

Connect with us!

Questions? Want to submit an item for our newsletter?

Email Kimberly Benton at kimberly@handetroit.org

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