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"Decent, affordable housing should be a basic right for everybody in this country." - Matthew Desmond

September 22, 2025

(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.

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

For regular updates, subscribe to the CAM newsletter.

Detroit CoC Board Elections

Each year, the Detroit Continuum of Care holds elections to fill vacant seats through a nomination, application, and voting process.

The CoC Board is responsible for the governance and oversight of the Detroit CoC as well as carrying out specific responsibilities entrusted to the board by the Continuum at large.

This year the CoC Board has 3 vacant seats available for election. The types of seats available are as follows: Member-at-Large, Community Advocate, and Homeless Service Provider.

The deadline to apply is October 21 at 11:59pm. Elections will be held on November 18th during the CoC General Membership Meeting which will be held virtually. 

More information on the function of the board and the responsibilities/qualifications of board members can be found in this document along with application information

General Membership Town Hall

September 23 | 10am

Join us tomorrow for a series of roundtables to understand the recent changes to our federal government and their wide-ranging impact on the Detroit CoC homeless response system. These meetings address changes to our federal, state and local landscape. It offers advocacy opportunities for community members and a chance to give input and solutions.  

Register for tomorrow's town hall here.

Detroit CoC Board Meeting

October 6 | 2pm

The next Board meeting will be taking place October 6. These meetings are an opportunity for the community to receive systems-level updates, offer feedback on current initiatives and programs, and learn about the homeless service system.

Register for the meeting here.

CoC Builds Program Update

The CoC Builds program is a HUD funding initiative focused on covering “hard costs” for developing Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). The Detroit CoC submitted an application for this funding in 2024 and re-submitted in June 2025 after HUD canceled and reissued the first NOFO.

In September 2025 HUD re-issued the NOFO for a third time, this time introducing a first-come, first-served approach to making awards based on strict “merit criteria.” These criteria included requirements such as serving people 62+ or offering medical respite, prohibiting harm reduction practices, and ensuring community-level enforcement of laws on public drug use, camping, and immigration cooperation. Due to these changes, Detroit’s CoC Board and its original applicant, Full Circle Communities/NOAH at Central, declined to apply in Round 3.

The process has since faced legal challenges, including a lawsuit and temporary restraining order, and raised concerns about potential delays and policy implications for the regular CoC competition.

For more questions or information, contact Amanda Sternberg amanda@handetroit.org

On Demand Detroit CoC Trainings

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

Also available

• 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.

Motivational Interviewing for Mi Home Visiting Initiative

October 2, 1pm EST    

October 30, 1pm EST

November 25,1pm-4pm EST

In this highly interactive workshop, explore the relational aspects of Motivational Interviewing (MI). MI is a collaborative, goal-oriented method of communication with particular attention to the language of change.

This virtual training series is limited to 170 participants. Registration slots will first be offered to individuals connected with Michigan’s Evidence-Based Home Visiting programs and those serving as Peer Navigators. All other participants will be placed on a waiting list and offered slots as capacity allows. Participants MUST attend all live training sessions. By completing the registration form you agree to attend all three sessions.

SPACE IS LIMITED

Register here

For registration questions, contact Angie Pearcy at apearcy@mphi.org or 989-439-5967

MSHDA Notice of Funding Opportunity:

Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing

MSHDA is committing a one-time allocation of $3 million to support critical infrastructure and capacity needs for emergency shelters and transitional housing in Michigan. The purpose of these funds is to address emergency shelter infrastructure needs related to access and safety, as well as increase the number of available transitional housing units.

To support this purpose, MSHDA is releasing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) to solicit applications from existing emergency shelter and transitional housing organizations. Applications must demonstrate need and feasibility for structural improvements and transitional housing expansion, responding to all requirements as outlined in this NOFO. Evaluation of applications and parameters for awarded grants are provided below. You can find more information including the application on MSHDA's website. Applications are due October 10, 2025 with an anticipated grant start date of November 1, 2025.

Please direct questions to mshda-hs@michigan.gov

Woodward and Rosedale Permanent Supportive Housing RFQ

The City of Detroit's Housing and Revitalization Department (HRD) seeks a qualified development team to construct a new multi-family development on 11504, 11520, 11526, and 11534 Woodward Ave in the Gateway Community. 

HRD will consider proposals that demonstrate experience in development and operation of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), community-oriented development, and creating well-designed tenant-centered housing. 

The Request for Qualifications can be found here.

Submissions are due November 7th, 2025 at 5pm. Please direct all questions via email to publicprivatepartnerships@detroitmi.gov

Hold HUD Accountable and Protect CoC Program Funding

We need your voice TODAY to urge Congress to intervene and ensure HUD keeps its past commitments to a two-year NOFO and not allow them to use unfair and problematic criteria to make funding decisions for homelessness funding.  

Sign the petition here.

Support the Housing Not Handcuffs Act

The Housing Not Handcuffs Act is restorative legislation that prevents federal agencies from arresting, ticketing, or otherwise criminalizing homelessness. Created in response to the horrific results of the Grants Pass Supreme Court Case, Housing Not Handcuffs ensures that homeless people cannot be arrested or ticketed by federal police when: living on federal lands when there are no other options without blocking traffic, asking for help or donations in public places practicing religion in public spaces, living in a vehicle without blocking traffic.

Tell congress to support the Housing Not Handcuffs Act here.

Related: What the Recent Executive Order Does and Doesn’t Do

Say NO to Threatened Cuts to Violence Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Reentry

The [Michigan] House budget proposal threatens to make dangerous cuts to violence prevention, rehabilitation, and reentry. 

Investing in Public Safety

• Violence Prevention: The House Budget threatens to cut $3.4M from community violence intervention services that work with community to prevent violence before there are shots fired.  

• Rehabilitation: The House budget proposes to cut $2.6M from prison food and $12.7M from prison healthcare--essential serves to ensure that incarcerated people can be prepared to return to communities ready to work and contribute.

• Reentry: House leadership threatens to strip $8M from reentry services, which would especially endanger community-based and peer-led reentry programs.

Reductions in prison population should lead to reductions in prison spending, but spending cuts without decarceration* are dangerous and irresponsible. 

Michigan Collaborative to End Mass Incarceration is committed to ending over-incarceration and reinvesting the money saved in the Black, Brown, and low-income communities hurt by the overgrown prison system. 

Learn more and sign the petition on MI-CEMI's website.

Federal Policy Update on Child and Youth Homelessness

September 23 | 2pm EST

As the September 30th deadline for funding the government approaches, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have passed dramatically different versions of their FY2026 spending bills. With a potential government shut down just days away, critical decisions hang in the balance. What do these bills mean for children and youth experiencing homelessness, and what’s the broader outlook for federal policy?

Join Schoolhouse Connection for a timely webinar that will provide the latest updates on federal developments affecting children and youth experiencing homelessness. 

Register here

NLIHC's Training Institute for Tenants & Residents Next Webinar Series

September 30 | 4pm EST

The Training Institute for Tenants and Residents (TI) is a national initiative committed to empowering renters with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to protect their rights, organize their communities, and influence housing policies. Through training, advocacy, and leadership development, TI equips tenants with the resources they need to take meaningful action and create lasting change. By strengthening tenant power, TI works towards a future where all renters have access to safe, stable, and affordable housing.

Register for the training series here.

For more information or to get involved with future sessions, contact Dee Ross, NLIHC Tenant Leader Fellow, at ideas@nlihc.org. 

Medicaid and HR1 explained:

What providers working on homelessness need to know

September 30 | 3pm EST

The first in a three-part series, this webinar brings national experts together to discuss Medicaid funding cuts, new requirements, and their impact on coverage, access, and services for people experiencing homelessness.

Register for the webinar here.

Domestic Violence 101: Back to Basics

October 1 | 2pm EST

To kick off Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2025, NRCDV will offer an introductory webinar describing the dynamics and common tactics that characterize domestic violence. The presenter will provide an overview of its root causes, as well as the scope and impact on individuals and society. Drawing connections to the theme for DVAM 2025, With Survivors, Always, this session will help new advocates, allied professionals, students, and the general public achieve a basic understanding of this complex issue and how they can be part of the solution.

Register for the webinar here

Housing Focused Street Outreach:

The Role of Law Enforcement Agencies

Oct 1 | 3pm EST

The National Alliance to End Homelessness is hosting a follow up webinar to their Housing Focused Street Outreach series to address how effective street outreach intersects with local law enforcement agencies. Come learn from communities who are proactively managing the relationships between local homelessness response and law enforcement in strategic ways. They will be discussing concrete strategies and practices for building and managing relationships with law enforcement agencies, navigating privacy and safety of personal information across systems, reducing the potential harms of law enforcement encounters (arrests, tickets, incarcerations, collateral consequences, etc.), and identifying new messengers to speak out against criminalization.

Register for the webinar here.

10-Point Plan for Ending Homelessness Without Criminalizing Poverty:

Decriminalization

October 16 | 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.

2025 National Symposium On Solutions To End Youth Homelessness

October 7 - 8

Join over 800 advocates, service providers, youth leaders, policymakers, and funders from across the country for two powerful days of connection, learning, and movement-building in Baltimore this October! ​

This year’s Symposium will feature sessions on flexible financial assistance, youth advocacy, coalition building, and narrative change and storytelling. The event will hear from new and diverse voices in the movement to end youth homelessness, open up spaces for candid conversations, and provide connections and community.

3rd Annual Street Medicine of Michigan Symposium

November 8

This symposium provides an opportunity for community members to discuss pertinent topics and find solutions working towards dismantling barriers in our communities, particularly that of people experiencing homelessness in the context of healthcare. 

Find more information including registration details here.

2025 National Lived Experience Leadership Conference

Nov 17 - 19

The 2025 National Lived Experience Leadership Conference will bring together lived experience leaders from various fields, including housing and homelessness, disability rights, youth advocacy, and criminal justice reform. These leaders will come together to build solidarity, share tools, and establish a national agenda for positive change.

You can expect:

• Keynote Speakers who are leading local, state, and national movements
• Interactive Workshops that equip participants with tangible skills for organizing, policy advocacy, and peer-led leadership.
• Panel Discussions on justice, equity, co-production, and system accountability.
• Healing & Creative Spaces for reflection, storytelling, and rest
• Community-Building Events that connect us across experiences and geographies

Register for the conference here.

If you have any questions about the conference scholarship opportunities, please email conference@nationalhomeless.org. 

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

Download

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.

You've made it this far, so here's a riddle:



A cowboy rode into town on Friday. He stayed for three nights and rode out on Friday. How is this possible?

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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