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"Our mind must make peace with our heart before we can witness peace in the world." - Thich Nhat Hahn

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
• Stability Voucher program

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

For regular updates, subscribe to the CAM newsletter.

July 31, HUD released the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the FY 2024 and FY 2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Renewal or Replacement of Youth Homeless Demonstration Program Grants. The NOFO is an annual official notice of the CoC Competition opening. This gives CoCs an invitation to apply for funding for various housing and supportive programs serving people experiencing homelessness.

FY2024 Competition Highlights

For more information go to handetroit.org/continuum-of-care-funding

To ensure homelessness is rare, brief, and nonrecurring in Detroit, it is critical that Detroit’s homelessness system is effective in quickly connecting households to stable, quality housing and the holistic resources they need to rebuild their lives and reach their goals. 

Through a year-long planning and community engagement process, the City of Detroit, Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND), members of the Detroit Continuum of Care, service providers, people with lived experience of homelessness, and other community members created this strategic system improvement plan for Detroit’s homelessness response system. 

This Plan outlines a community-created set of priorities and strategies to improve service delivery in Detroit’s homelessness system and ultimately enhance life outcomes and housing stability for residents experiencing homelessness.  

Read the full plan

City of Detroit HRD RFPs

Recovery Housing Expansion and Operation

The City of Detroit Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) on behalf of the Housing and Revitalization Department (HRD), is seeking qualified organizations or firms to expand the supply and accessibility of recovery housing units, for short-term occupancy by individuals receiving substance use disorder services within the City.

• August 20, 12pm — RFP question deadline
• August 27, 4pm — Negotiation close

For more information, contact Latrece Yelder at yelderl@detroitmi.gov .

Emergency Shelter and Services for the Homeless

The City of Detroit Office of Contracting and Procurement on behalf of the Housing and Revitalization Department, is currently looking qualified organizations or firms to provide emergency shelter beds, drop-in center, stand-by shelter, and shelter navigation services for Detroit residents experiencing homelessness.

Read the full RFP here.

• August 21,1pm — Join the online pre-bid meeting here (no registration required)
• September 2, 4pm — Proposal due date

More information including the RFP are available here.

CSH Trauma-Informed Care

An on-demand training in trauma-informed care is now available on HAND's virtual learning platform! The course, provided by CSH, will help you learn how trauma shows up, the key principles of trauma-informed approaches, and what it means to be trauma-informed. This training will only be available until August 31, 2024, so sign up today!

Please note that if you are already registered on HAND's learning platform, you do not need to resubmit the User Access Form. Instead, please use this link to enroll in the trauma-informed care training.

CoC Acronyms and

Key Definitions

A training on Detroit CoC Acronyms and Key Definitions is now available on HAND's virtual learning platform! The course will provide an overview of organizational jargon within the CoC, including commonly used abbreviations and key terms. Sign up now!

Please note that if you are already registered on HAND's learning platform, you do not need to resubmit the User Access Form. Instead, please use this link to enroll in the Detroit CoC Acronyms and Key Definitions training.

We are looking for training liaisons for each agency to represent standardizing training in the Detroit CoC. Asking that you share this form internally with your agency so the right contacts can be appointed to move this work and represent their agency voice. Thank you to the agencies who have already filled this form out!

Join us at the September 9

Detroit CoC Board Meeting!

The meeting will be in-person at the Ab Ford, 100 Lenox St., Detroit, MI 48215. However, if you cannot attend in -person, there is an option to attend it on Zoom.

2024 Board Calendar-at-a Glance

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

Building Bright Futures Resource Fair:

Lead Hazard Awareness & Prevention 

August 22 | 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Join Lakeshore Legal Aid for the Building Bright Futures Resource Fair: Lead Hazard Awareness & Prevention. Discover ways to safeguard your family from lead hazards and ensure a healthier future. The event will be taking place at at Eastside Community Network's The Stoudamire Wellness Hub.

Christmas Adopt-a-Family 2024

Applications Now Open

Apply from August 1 to September 1. Nominate yourself or a family you know in need of assistance this holiday season. Last Christmas the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries (DRMM) was able to adopt over 2000 families thanks to their sponsors and community partners. DRMM is also seeking sponsors for 2024. Applications are due September 1 at 4pm. For more information, please contact DRMM 313-993-4700 x 3930 or email kwoods@drmm.org.

Apply here: bit.ly/DRMMAdoptAFamily2024

Endorse the National Tenants Bill of Rights

The National Tenants Bill of Rights provides a legislative framework to enshrine the following tenants' rights:

• A fair application
• A fair lease
• Freedom from discrimination and harassment
• Habitable homes
• Reasonable rent and costs
• Right to organize
• Safeguards against eviction

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.

2024 Excellence in Homeless Services

Award Nominations

The Excellence in Homeless Services Award honors the hard work and commitment of a dedicated individual or group who embodies the defining characteristics possessed by the people and organizations immersed in Michigan’s Campaign to End Homelessness (MCTEH). Characteristics such as system changemaker; advocate for equity, inclusiveness, and belonging; challenger of the status quo; strategic risk-taker; and champion for Housing First and Harm Reduction. This award is given out each year at the Michigan Summit on Ending Homelessness as acknowledgement of exemplary work being done to help Michigan reach its goal of ending homelessness. Nominations are due August 22 by 5pm. Have questions? Please contact Catherine Distelrath at catherine.distelrath@csh.org

Submit your nomination here.

S.O.G.I.E.

Training Series

Family Support with LGBTQ+ Children

September 11 | 1pm - 4pm

Register here.

Inclusive Data Collection and How To Ask About SOGIE In Systems Of Care

September 16 | 1pm EST

Register here.

Gender Affirming Care

September 1 | 1pm - 4pm EST

Register here.

Trainings include 12 FREE CEUs through the NASW of Michigan. Trainers can be reached at training@ruthelliscenter.org  for more information or accommodations. 

Introduction to Harm Reduction

August 26 | 9:00am - 1:00pm

MCAH is hosting an in-person, interactive "Introduction to Harm Reduction" training. It is $75 for MCAH members and $100 for the general public. The training will be at the LRC, 4135 Washtenaw Avenue, Ann Arbor, MI.

Register for this training here. 

The FY24/25 NOFO

Creating a Roadmap to an Effective, Efficient & Equitable Homeless Response System

Aug 28 | 12:00 PM 

With $3.524 billion in funding made available through the FY2024 and FY2025 Continuum of Care Competition and Renewal or Replacement of Youth Homeless Demonstration Grants, Continuums of Care everywhere are well underway with their local processes. Join the Alliance to understand what’s new, what hasn’t changed, and more importantly – how you can use this NOFO to be strategic, and how you can use the NOFO application year off to recalibrate your system.

Register here.

Expanding Opportunities for Developers of Color

August 28 | 2pm

Developing enough new and rehabilitated housing units to meet the country’s affordability crisis demands participation by all housing developers. But deep disparities persist in who does and doesn’t have access to opportunities in multifamily housing development.

Join the Urban Institute for a discussion on the challenges and opportunities for developers of color and the most effective ways to expand their contributions. 

During the event, developers will share their experiences and firsthand insights about accessing capital, building networks, and navigating public and philanthropic programs. Leaders in finance and local government will explore strategies to overcome the barriers developers of color experience and create a more supportive environment.

Register for the webinar here.

Voting While Experiencing Homelessness

Pre-recorded

On this webinar, experts discussed strategies and best practices for registering, educating, and mobilizing voters experiencing homelessness. This included civic empowerment of people experiencing sheltered homelessness, engagement both during the election cycle and year-round. finding your state’s eligibility criteria for registering and voting without a permanent address, tips for creating successful events and engaging meaningfully.

You can read a synopsis of the webinar and watch it here.

Related article: U.S. Supreme Court ruling sparks concern among metro Detroit homeless, shelter providers - Detroit Crains Business

Save the Date

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. Registration details coming soon.

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.

Care Plan Manager - Bridge Housing

The Care Plan Manager at the Pope Francis Center Bridge Housing Campus is responsible for

developing, overseeing, and implementing comprehensive care plans for residents. This role

requires close coordination with the Residential Manager, case managers, CHASS clinical team

and other key staff to ensure holistic and personalized care for residents.

Read the full job description here. Contact William Kangas william@pfc.org for Pope Francis Job openings.

Caseworker - Bridge Housing

You will collaborate with a dedicated team committed to not just managing, but also enhancing our bridge housing program. Your work will directly contribute to creating a nurturing and welcoming space within the community, embodying our mission to provide not just shelter, but real transformation in people's lives.

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

Supervisory Program Analyst IV

Community Development Officer IV

The City of Detroit's Housing and Revitalization (HRD) department is seeking a Community Development Officer.

The Community Development Officer IV advises on, administers, supervises, or performs professional housing and community development, City of Detroit housing policy, and/or grant related award and evaluation work that requires application of housing and community development and policy theories, concepts, principles, and standards to housing activities of governmental, quasi-governmental, or private sector organizations, as well as Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants and third party contracts.

Read the full job description and apply here.

Food pantries & soup kitchens

• Gleaners
• Forgotten Harvest
• Capuchin Soup Kitchen

Food for Seniors

Focus: HOPE provides food boxes to participants who are 60 years old or older and reside in Wayne, Oakland, Macomb or Washtenaw counties. To learn where you can apply, call 313-494-4600 or email food@focushope.edu. If you need homebound delivery or have any questions call 313-494-4980.

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.

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

Facing a domestic violence issue and need assistance?

Need help with utility payments?

Seeking legal assistance for landlord/tenant issues?

Looking for food assistance?

Last week's riddle asked:

A man looks at a painting in a museum and says, “Brothers and sisters I have none, but that man’s father is my father’s son.” Who is in the painting?

Answer: The man's son

Next up: Crossword

Download Puzzle

Connect with us!

Questions? Want to submit an item for our newsletter?

Email Kimberly Benton at kimberly@handetroit.org

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