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"Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend." –

Melody Beattie, author and advocate.

November 25, 2024

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 go to one of the following Access Points for in-person assessments.

DHC Public Housing Waitlists Open

The Detroit Housing Commission's Public Housing Waiting Lists opened October 1, 2024. All applicants must apply online at www.dhcmi.org. Applicants must be 18 years of age or a legally emancipated minor at the time of wait list application. You MUST have an active email address in order to apply.

For regular updates, subscribe to the CAM newsletter.

Temporary Closure of HCV Waitlists

HAND received notification from MSHDA that, effective July 1, 2024, all Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) 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

RFP Coordinated Entry (CE) System Evaluation

Given the critical role CAM plays in our community, we are seeking an experienced consultant/contractor to lead a comprehensive assessment of CAM after its first-year post transition. This assessment would evaluate the following:

• Our system’s compliance with HUD Coordinated Entry Standards and our CoC’s policies and procedures
• Effectiveness of service delivery and capacity to achieve our community’s goals
• Interagency communication and accountability
• System emphasis on equity and accessibility

Interested parties are invited to submit a proposed scope of work and budget to HAND no later than December 6, 2024, at 12:00pm. All proposals should be submitted via email to zbetthauser@handetroit.org. Questions can be emailed to the same address. 

CoC Applications Submitted

CoC Builds

November 20, the CoC Builds application was submitted for Full Circle Communities -NOAH project. The program allows CoCs to apply for funding specifically to develop more Permanent Supportive Housing. HUD anticipates making funding announcements early 2025. More information can be accessed here.

FY2024 CoC

October 25, the final FY2024 Detroit Continuum of Care Application and all project applications were submitted to HUD. The application and the Project Priority Listing have been publicly posted to HAND's website, and may be accessed here.

Detroit CoC Board Meeting

December 2, 2024 | 2pm EST

Join us at the next Detroit CoC Board Meeting!

Our monthly Detroit CoC board meetings focus on strategies to end homelessness in Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck. Each meeting is a chance to share updates, make key decisions like funding allocations, and review progress on important initiatives. They also create meaningful opportunities for public feedback, bringing the community into the conversation to shape solutions together.  

The board is guided by values that center on making homelessness rare, brief, and non-recurring. With a commitment to equity, transparency, and innovative approaches, the work reflects a spirit of collaboration and shared purpose. Meetings take place on the first Monday of every month.  

2024 Board Calendar-at-a Glance

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

Reports

• 2024 PIT Count Report
• 2023 System Performance Measure (SPM)
• 2022 Data Brief for the Detroit CoC
• Strategic System Improvement Plan

Read more reports at handetroit.org/reports

What does "affordable housing" mean in Detroit?

"If you're paying more than half of your income just to have a place to lay your head, and that's not including utilities, and that's not including your daily household needs, is it really affordable?"

Eleanor Bradford, Systems Coordinator, HAND speaking to Model D Media for their series about "challenges and solutions" in housing.

Read the full article on Model D Media's website.

Join the Detroit Housing Alliance Task Force

Calling all health and housing professionals! Please consider joining the Housing Task Force. The Task Force’s goal is to identify and address specific housing needs and barriers for clients. They would like to start with an in-person kick off meeting in either December or January to discuss future meetings and agenda. Stay tuned for an upcoming date.

Sign up here.

Urge Congress to Invest in Affordable Homes in Fiscal Year 2025

To address the growing crisis of affordable housing and homelessness, federal investment in affordable housing, homelessness, and community development is crucial. By supporting these programs, we can ensure more robust solutions for communities across the country. Join the effort by signing on to this petition to encourage Congress to fund these critical initiatives and help drive meaningful change for those in need.

Housing Homestretch Campaign

The Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH) and the Rent is Too High Coalition have partnered to launch the Housing Homestretch 2024 Campaign. There is still time to sign onto the campaign supporting tenant protections. Sign on to the support the bills here.

• Download a summary of the legislation.
• NEW: Fill out MCAH's 2025 Policy Priorities Survey here

Detroit Fair Housing Survey!

The City of Detroit is surveying residents to understand how to:

• Make sure every resident has equal access to quality, affordable housing in Detroit, regardless of their identity or background.
• Ensure residents do not face discrimination when finding housing.

To fill out the survey, please visit this site. For questions, call 313-224-6380

MiSide Fundraiser

MiSide is asking for your support to keep our Southeast Michigan neighbors safe this holiday season. Right now, your gift will make double the impact; every donation will be matched, up to $50,000, helping MiSide shelter twice as many people. With winter approaching, the need for safe spaces is critical, and they are relying on your compassion. Will you answer the call to keep our community warm and safe?

Make your impact today, click here to donate.

One Night without a Bed

The Detroit Phoenix Center's 5th Annual One Night Without a Bed (ONWAB) campaign begins November 1st during Youth Homelessness, Outreach, Prevention, and Education (HOPE) Month, with a series of activations happening throughout the month and Detroit Phoenix Center's (DPC) Youth-Led Overnight Service Kickback on November 29th.

Find out how you can participate here.

MCHS Holiday Fundraising Campaign

In addition to supporting MCHS's entire Family of Services, your donation this year will help establish The Center for Pediatric Health and Wellness—a private, state-of-the-art facility offering behavioral and physical health services focused on addressing local children and families' acute mental health needs.

 Donate here to house a neighbor in need.

Partner Convening on Mental Health,

Substance Use and Harm Reduction

December 11-12, 2024

This convening is a collaboration of the Detroit Justice Center; Michigan Liberation; ANSWER Detroit; Free People, Free People; Moratorium Now; and other partners.

Their C.A.R.E.S. philosophy and freedom dreams for this convening is to cultivate a space to Create Alternatives that Reimagine, Empower and Strengthen mental wellness and safety in Detroit. The program will feature panel discussions, a breakout group strategy session, and a data gallery walk -- all designed to support our goal to bridge connections, establish and improve non-carceral responses to mental health, substance use recovery and harm reduction for Detroiters.

Attendance is requested for both days: Wednesday, December 11th (4:00pm-7:00pm) and Thursday, December 12th (8:30am-5:00pm). Free parking, licensed childcare and healthy meals are included. Please answer all questions below to confirm your registration for this convening here.

Loneliness Among Homeless and

Formerly Homeless Individuals

Dec 3 2024 | 3:00 - 4:30pm EST

In 2023, the Surgeon General of the United States released an Advisory calling loneliness, social isolation, and lack of connection a public health crisis. Individuals experiencing homelessness may be particularly susceptible to social isolation given their circumstances, and this can persist even after obtaining housing. This webinar will feature a cast of speakers who are experts on the topic of loneliness and will provide insight into its intersection with the experience of homelessness.

Register for the webinar here.

What to do with the Wounds that Time Does Not Heal?

December 6, 2024 1pm - 2:30pm EST

In honor of National Grief Awareness Week during the first week of December, SAMHSA is hosting two informational webinars with experts in the field of bereavement. This is the second of the two webinars. Although many experience grief in a way that decreases over time, there are others who do not. This webinar will help people to identify and learn about the supports that are available for those who experience extraordinarily intense and/or long-lasting grief. 

Register for the webinar here.

How Health Systems and Hospitals

Can Help Solve Homelessness

December 12, 2024 | 12:30pm - 1:30pm EST

In partnership with the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), Kaiser Permanente is co-hosting a webinar for leaders in health care, public health, and research. During this session, USICH—which sets federal homelessness strategy—will discuss its recent guidance, “How Health Systems and Hospitals Can Help Solve Homelessness,” outlining effective strategies for compassionate and collaborative care for people without safe, stable housing. In this one-hour webinar, we will cover:

● Why health systems and hospitals are vital for ending homelessness

● The financial benefits for health systems and hospitals

● How providers are implementing USICH’s guidance in communities

Register for the virtual webinar here.

CSH Supportive Housing Summit 2025

Meeting the Moment: Navigating Challenges, Creating Opportunities

April 23 - April 25, 2025

Supportive housing is an effective intervention, yet the field continues to experience challenges in scaling, preserving, and operating quality supportive housing. CSH's 2025 conference will facilitate sessions that tackle these challenges with innovative, practical, and effective solutions, demonstrating supportive housing is a viable and sustainable alternative to institutionalization and housing instability.

Attendees will leave with a toolbox of resources, protocols, practical strategies and an expanded network of contacts to help leverage and maximize the impact of their work towards advancing affordable and supportive housing in their communities.

Find out more and register this website.

2025 Innovations and Solutions for

Ending Unsheltered Homelessness Conference

February 26-28, 2025

The 2025 Innovations and Solutions for Ending Unsheltered Homelessness Conference will bring together service providers, system leaders, advocates, and people with lived experience of homelessness to learn from each other, discuss best practices, and share new innovations in the field—all with the central theme of bringing people home.

Registrants will have the opportunity to attend roundtable discussions, plenaries, and workshops focused on best practices and solutions for ending unsheltered homelessness. In addition to regular workshops, the conference will offer a variety of session formats to provide attendees exciting new ways to learn, engage, and foster connections. Together, participants will explore innovative strategies and collaborative efforts to ensure that everyone has a place to call home.

Register here.

National Low Income Housing Coalition

March 24-27, 2025

Save the date for NLIHC's 2025 Housing Policy Forum. For updates on the Forum, please visit NLIHC's website.

Free At-⁠home COVID-⁠19 Tests Available

Residential households in the U.S. are eligible for another order of 4 free at-home COVID-19 tests. Testing can help you know if you have COVID-19 so you can decide what to do next, like getting treatment to reduce your risk of severe illness and taking steps to lower your chances of spreading the virus to others.

Order your tests here.

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.

For this holiday Fun Corner, we're offering jokes for you to share with your loved ones.

Why did the turkey join the band?

Because it had the drumsticks! 🥁🦃

What sound does a turkey's phone make?

Wing, wing! ☎️

What do you call it when you cross a turkey with a ghost?

A poultry-geist! 👻🦃

What do you call a turkey on the day after Thanksgiving?

Lucky.

What’s a turkey’s favorite dessert?

Peach gobbler!

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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