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"Be the change you wish to see in the world" - Unknown

December 1, 2025

(313) 305 - 0311

CAM Call Line Operating hours:

Monday through Friday, 8am - 6pm

Access to CAM services: Call CAM at (313) 305 - 0311 or go to one of the following Access Points for in-person assessments.

Visit camdetroit.org for the latest information on CAM services and any upcoming service interruptions. For regular updates, subscribe to the CAM newsletter.

Welcome Our New Board Members

We’re excited to announce the newest members of the Detroit Continuum of Care (CoC) Board, who will help lead our efforts to end homelessness in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck:

China Aquino, Member-at-Large; Stacy Vaughn-Covington, Homeless Sevice Provider; and Julisa Abad, Community Advocate.

On behalf of the Detroit CoC, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who applied to join our CoC Board and partner in the mission to end homelessness in our community. And thank you to our CoC voting members for taking the time to cast votes and help shape the future of our work.

Donate to the 2026 PIT Count

On January 28, 2026, the Detroit Continuum of Care will conduct the annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. The PIT Count is a one night snapshot of people experiencing homelessness in our community. This count helps us understand local needs, advocate for resources, and measure our progress toward ending homelessness.

During the PIT Count, teams will distribute essential items to those experiencing unsheltered homelessness. You can help by donating through our Amazon Wishlist. Unisex items in adult sizes are preferred.

Learn more about the PIT Count on our website.

Items Needed:

• New Winter Hats
• New Scarves
• New Thermal Blankets
• New Mittens or Gloves
• New Socks
• Travel-size hygiene items (shampoo, soap, toothbrush & toothpaste, deodorant)

2025 NOFO Update

On November 13, HUD released the 2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). A major update this year is the return to an annual competition cycle. The previous administration had shifted the process to a biennial format in 2024, giving agencies two years between competitions. That change has now been reversed.

Due to this reversal, we issued our local competition application. On Monday, November 24, HAND held a webinar for all agencies interested in applying for renewal and/or new CoC funding. The webinar recording is available on HAND's Youtube channel.

More information including applications can be found our website.

Systems Thinking Training ReCap

Last month, leaders came together for our Systems Thinking Training, designed to strengthen decision-making at the system level. Attendees explored practical strategies for thinking connecting big-picture decisions to real-life examples within the CoC.

Participants learned:

• How to approach challenges with a systems perspective
• Tools for making confident, system-level decisions
• Ways to align leadership actions with the overall mission to end homelessness

The Systems Thinking primer is now available on HAND's LMS training platform. Virtual and more interactive trainings are being planned for next year.

Townhall Meeting Update

Starting this month, Townhall Meetings will move to a monthly schedule. Previously, these meetings were held biweekly to keep our community informed about evolving federal policies and their impact on our region. This change will allow us to provide more focused updates and meaningful discussions. The next meeting will be taking place December 15 at 10am.

Register for the next meeting here.

Upcoming Detroit CoC Trainings

On-Demand Detroit CoC Trainings

LMS users have access to a wide range of trainings. The latest are listed below.

• Systems Thinking Primer
• Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) 101
• Fresh Start Career Series
• Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) 101
• Understanding the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Housing Protections
• Human Trafficking 101
• Domestic Violence 101
• Coordinated Assessment Model (CAM) 101
• Continuum of Care (CoC) 101

The Continuum of Care (CoC) 101 educational video is also available on our YouTube channel here.

Detroit Homeless Prevention Training

1600 Porter Street, Detroit MI 48216

9am - 5pm | Multiple Dates*

This two-day training will provide you with valuable skills and knowledge on how to identify at-risk individuals and families, connect them with resources, and effectively advocate for homeless prevention. The training is in person, so you can interact with experts and network with like-minded individuals. Don't miss this opportunity to make a positive impact on our community!

Upcoming Trainings

December 16 - 17, 2025

Register here

January 27 - 28, 2026

Register here

February 24 - 25, 2026

Register here

Free Suicide Prevention Training

Every 3rd Friday | 11am

This one-hour training from the Veterans Administration's S.A.V.E. program presents an overview of suicide prevalence, risks and warning signs. It also provides guidance on how to intervene when someone is suicidal. This training will highlight unique risks to Veterans and provide information on how to access VA resources.

Email VHADETsuicidepreventionteam@DVA.gov.onmicrosoft.com to register.

Train with MiVAN

The Michigan Victim Advocacy Network (MiVAN) offers live and on-demand trainings for crime victim advocates and direct service providers. Training topics include Intimate Partner Violence, Abuse and Neglect, Advocate Wellbeing, Trauma-Informed Advocacy, and many more! You can sign up for free, on-demand trainings on MiVAN's resource library or contact MiVAN staff about collaborative opportunities on their contact page

First Step Community Engagement

First Step has numerous programs to offer to a variety of groups ranging in ages, interests, and backgrounds. All presentations include an overview of First Step, including our services, ways to get involved, how to refer clients and a Q&A session.

Advocates prepare for homelessness crisis as feds make funding shift

Detroit allocates nearly $34 million in permanent housing, with the vast majority for permanent supportive housing set aside for people with disabilities. With a 30% cap, Detroit could ask HUD for about $11 million worth of funding for permanent housing projects — a 67% decrease.

Read the full article on the Detroit Free Press's website.

10-Point Plan for Ending Homelessness Without Criminalizing Poverty:

Employment Programs

December 18 | 3pm EST

We all need a safe place to live. But homelessness and poverty are growing. Instead of funding what works, too many politicians are making these problems worse by passing laws that allow the police to ticket and arrest people who cannot afford housing or the substance use or mental health care they need.

The National Coalition for the Homeless is holding a series of webinars to discuss their 10-Point Plan for state and local communities to respond to end homelessness with compassion and proven solutions. The next webinar, occurring October 16, will focus on Decriminalization.

Register for the webinar series here.

NLIHC’s Housing Policy Forum 2026 will convene community leaders, policy experts, researchers, tenant advocates, affordable housing practitioners, and members of Congress for thought and action partnership on ending the housing crisis impacting the lowest-income and most marginalized renters in America.

Registration details are available here.

Starting from the week of October 13, the Detroit Public Library will begin participating in the Child and Adult Care Food Program, providing after school meals at select library locations.

Youth 18 years of age and younger, as well as adults with physical and mental disabilities, will be eligible for the meals.

For a list of locations, please visit the Detroit Public Library's website.

Christmas Assistance Program

Salvation Army Grandale Corps/Church

The Salvation Army is taking in-person applications for assistance for families with children ages 0 to 16 years old and senior citizens aged 60 or older. The application period ends December 2. Applicants must apply in-person and provide proof of all members living in the household. For more information, please call 313-835-3736

New Recover Housing Opportunity Available in Detroit

Detroit is expanding access to safe, supportive housing for individuals in recover from substance use disorders. Through the City's Opioid Crisis Response Program, new recovering housing beds are open.

Individuals interested in accessing these services can call to request a screen and explore placement options.

Locations: Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, and SHAR Inc.

For placement, call Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWHIN) 1-800-241-4949

For placement at Second Chance 2000, call 313-349-9170

Contact detroitbehavhealth@detroitmi.gov for more information.

Project Based Voucher Program

Waiting Lists Open

The Project Based Voucher Program (PBV Program) is designed to provide low and moderate-income individuals and families with housing assistance in specific units contracted with Detroit Housing Commission (DHC). The housing assistance is provided to income-eligible applicants who are approved for tenancy at the contracted location. You apply to the PBV location waiting list of your choice. The Project Based Assistance is only available to those selected and approved from the program site waiting list.

Visit the Detroit Housing Commission's website to apply.

Health Resources

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DWIHN 24-Hour Helpline

1-800-241-4949

The Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network (DWIHN) offers 24-hour phone service for those seeking mental health support.

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.

Corktown Health

Financial Assistance

The Housing and EFA programs provide emergency financial assistance to households experiencing utility shutoff, eviction, and first month’s rent for a new move. This assistance is designed to help clients living with HIV stay engaged or reengage in medical care.

Find out more about the program on Corktown Health's website.

Harm Reduction Wellness Stations

These Harm Reduction Wellness Stations provide free supplies to help prevent disease, reduce overdose risks, and make substance use safer. This initiative helps protect the health of Detroiters by giving residents the tools they need to stay safe.

Find more information about the stations the Detroit Department of Health's website.

Rides to Care

This new Detroit Department of Health program provides transportation for prenatal and postpartum care up to the baby's first birthday. To schedule a ride, call (313) 876-0000

For more info, visit DHD's website.

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Connect with us!

Do you have questions about the newsletter? Want to submit an item?

Email Kimberly Benton at kimberly@handetroit.org

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