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 “We have to improve life, not just for those who have the most skills and those who know how to manipulate the system. But also for and with those who often have so much to give but never get the opportunity.” - Dorothy Height

March 4, 2024

 

If you live in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park and are experiencing homelessness, please call CAM at (313) 305-0311.


 

CAM Updates

 

CAM Call Line Operating hours:

Monday through Friday, 8am - 6pm


Visit camdetroit.org

 

CAM Access Points

 

CAM has opened in-person Access Point services for people experiencing homelessness. There are 4 ways to Access CAM services. Call CAM at (313) 305 - 0311 or going to one of the following Access Points for in-person assessments.

NOAH Project

23 E. Adams Ave,

2nd Floor

Detroit MI, 48226

Mon - Th, 9:30am - 3:30pm

Download the flyer

Cass Community

Social Services

11850 Woodrow Wilson St

Detroit, MI 48206

Mon - Fri, 10am - 6pm

Download the flyer

For Veterans

Detroit VA

4646 John R

Red Tower, 2nd floor

Detroit, MI 48201

Mon - Fri, 8am - 4:30pm

Download 4-Way Access Download 4-Way Access Flyer

For regular updates, subscribe to the CAM newsletter.

Warming and Respite Centers

Download the full list

 

CoC News

 

Detroit Steet Medicine Team NOFA

The City of Detroit Office of Contracting and Procurement (OCP) on behalf of the Housing and Revitalization Department (HRD) is releasing this Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for interested and qualified organizations for a Street Medicine Team to provide for services to connect individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness with physical health services. The application submission period ends March 20th.


For more information, please visit this website and search for bid #184378 or enter "street medicine" in the search bar. 

 
 
 

McKinney-Vento

Detroit Public School

Community District Form

Identifying students under McKinney-Vento is essential in order to provide support and offer appropriate services to the family, child and/or youth through the coordination with local social services agencies, and/or other entities providing services to homeless children and youth and their families. 


Each student identified as McKinney-Vento eligible will have access to resources available within the Detroit Public Schools Community District. These resources are put in place and are essential for students to excel academically and socially. 

The McKinney-Vento form can be completed by a student, parent/guardian or community agency representative who wishes to refer a student that falls under the McKinney-Vento Act to the Office of Homeless and Foster Care program.


You can fill out the form here.

Related:


Know-Your-Rights Toolkit for Unaccompanied Minors and Families

Download the Toolkit here

New policy brief from Wayne State University, Poverty Solutions reveals Detroit schools under-identify homeless students


Read the full article here

 




 

Trainings

 

DWIHN and Ruth Ellis Center

S.O.G.I.E. Training Series

Download the full schedule

 

Family Support with LGBTQ+ Children

March 13 | 9am EST

Register here.

Inclusive SOGIE Data Collection in Systems of Care

March 18 | 9am EST

Register here.

Gender Affirming Care

March 20 | 9am EST

Register here.

S.O.G.I.E. 101 

April 8 | 1pm EST

Register here.

SOGIE 5 Core Elements

May 7 | 10:00am 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. 

 

Webinars

 

LIHTC: Are Little Changes Enough?

March 7 | 3pm EST

Join Shelterforce to discuss the possibilities of Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) reform and the future of affordable housing financing.


Register for the webinar at this link.

 

All Things Federal Funding:

Finding, Preparing, and Getting Awarded

March 11 | 1pm EST

Interested in applying for federal funding but not sure where to start? Or are you an experienced federal grant writer looking for some new ideas? Join Youth Collaboratory for a webinar on all things federal grant writing. Learn how you can get ahead of the curve in identifying funding opportunities and prepare your team before the grant writing season begins. We’ll walk through grant writing tips from experienced federal grant writers and reviewers, so you can strengthen your skills in writing highly competitive federal grant proposals. Register here

2024 VAWA and Survivor Housing Community Conversations:

Building System-Wide Partnerships

March 21, 2024 | from 1pm - 2:30pm EST

Last year, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) 2022 Foundations for Continuum of Care (CoC) and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) Webinar Series provided detailed, foundational knowledge about implementing VAWA and survivor-centered housing practices.


VAWA and Survivor Housing Community Conversations will continue in 2024 through a series of discussions about successfully implementing VAWA and survivor-centered housing at the system, project, and human levels. Each conversation will feature a diverse panel of system leaders, project staff, and people with lived experiences from both the homelessness response and victim services worlds.


Find out more at HUDExchange's website.


Housing Problem-Solving:

From Diversion to Rapid Exit and Beyond

March 21, 2024 | 3pm EST

Housing problem-solving is a transformative, person-centered strategy exploring innovative, secure, cost-effective solutions for swiftly resolving housing crises. This distinctive philosophy differs from historically marginalizing practices by emphasizing genuine partnerships with individuals to empower them to overcome their housing crisis. In this webinar, gain insights from communities that have embraced problem-solving as a comprehensive, system-wide approach. Discover how they tackled buy-in challenges and explore the remarkable successes achieved.


Register for the webinar here.

Tax Webinar for Youth

Are you a young person who has self-employment/1099 income? Do you receive a stipend for serving on a Youth Action Board or as a “lived experience” consultant? Do you regularly receive gift cards for participation in youth homelessness programs? Or maybe you have a side hustle or do gig work or freelance work to make ends meet?


If so, please register for the webinar here.

 
 

Homelessness and the Supreme Court:

Using Narrative to Expand Support for Compassionate Solutions

Mar 14, 2024 | 12:00pm EST

From small towns to big cities, every person needs a safe place to sleep at night but the upcoming Supreme Court hearing of Grants Pass, Oregon vs. Johnson could allow towns to ticket and fine people for sleeping outside, even when they have nowhere to go. This case will have huge implications for how the country addresses homelessness. With more people paying attention to the issue, it’s an opportunity to elevate solutions that respect the rights and dignity of people who are unhoused, and address community concerns. How can housing and advocacy organizations communicate about this case to expand broad public support for compassionate, proven solutions to homelessness? Join three leaders in a conversation about how research, experience, and strategy inform their communications about this case.


Register for the webinar here.

 

Conferences

 
 

Co-Sheltering Conference 2024: Together We Thrive

Mar 26 - 28, 2024 

This year's conference aims to create a virtual space where advocates, providers, policy makers, and people with lived experience can work hand in hand to redefine the landscape of care and transform pathways to housing for people and animals together. Be a part of the powerful movement driving systemic shifts to support the human-animal bond in homeless services.


Register for the conference here.


Scholarships available! Please complete this form to apply for financial assistance. The scholarship application portal will close on March 22, 2024 at 9pm EST.



 
 
 

Employment

 

In the Detroit CoC, the Coordinated Assessment Model (CAM) is a systemic approach to streamlining access to housing and services utilizing a common entry point, standardized assessment tool, and coordinated referrals to programs that best match the needs of families and individuals seeking assistance. The Coordinated Entry (CE) Manager is responsible for the continued development, implementation, and oversight of the coordinated entry system.


Read the full job description and find out how to apply here.

 
 

Advocate

 

Sign Today

Affirm the Right to Adequate Housing

On April 22, 2024, the United States Supreme Court will begin to hear arguments for City of Grants Pass v. Johnson, the first major case on homelessness to be heard by the Supreme Court since the 1980s.


Grants Pass, a city in Oregon of 48,000 people, began penalizing those who find refuge on public property due to a lack of safe, alternative shelters. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit had previously held that cities cannot fine, ticket, arrest, or otherwise punish people experiencing homelessness for sleeping on public property when no shelter is available, which constitutes cruel and unusual punishment in violation of the Eighth Amendment.


Homelessness stems from structural policy failures, not a lack of inspiration among those striving for the so-called American dream. Political resolve is required to reverse the cycle of poverty and to uphold the values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness for all, including those experiencing homelessness.


Sign the petition urging the Supreme Court to end the criminalization of homelessness and to affirm the right to adequate housing.

Sign the Petition


Sign Today

Michigan Fair Chance Access to Housing Act

Nation Outside and the Vera Institute request your support for the Fair Chance Access to Housing Act. This legislation removes barriers to housing for people with conviction histories in Michigan. Organizations and individuals are welcome to sign on. Sign the for the Fair Chance Access to Housing Act.

Sign the letter
 
 

Supplement

 

Download the supplement

 

Resources

 

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.

Project Clean Slate

Project Clean Slate is a free expungement program for Detroit residents. Find out how you can register for help on the City of Detroit's website.

Food pantries & soup kitchens

 
 

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Questions? Want to submit an item for our newsletter?

Email Kimberly Benton at kimberly@handetroit.org

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