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 "But one of the things that has to be faced is in the process of wanting to change that system, how much have we got to do to find out who we are, where we have come from and where we are going." - Ella Baker

February 3, 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.

New System Reports

The 2024 CAM Quarterly System Reports are now available for quarters 3 through 1. System reports detail the operational performance of our local Coordinated Entry process. They cover engagement and access metrics, intake and referral numbers, and housing program participation. You can access the reports at camdetroit.org/reports.

For regular updates, subscribe to the CAM newsletter.

Detroit Continuum of Care Awarded $40 Million 

On January 17, 2025, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced $3.6 billion in grants to Continuums of Care (CoCs) across the nation for the Fiscal Year 2024 CoC competition. The Detroit CoC was awarded $40,183,097 in funding. Highlights of this funding announcement include: 



• All funded project budgets were adjusted due to adjustments for Fair Market Rent and Cost-of-Living increases. 
• One new Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) project was funded, in the amount of $977,956. 
• Over $37 million in CoC renewal projects were awarded. 

Download the reward report here.

Now Available:

2024 Detroit CoC Governance Charter

The final version of the 2024 Governance Charter is now available. To review the results of each change, scroll down to the "Review and Updating History" section at the bottom of the charter. The charter is also accessible on HAND's website.

The Governance Charter outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Detroit Continuum of Care, the Detroit Continuum of Care Board, Continuum of Care Committees, the Continuum of Care Lead Agency, the Collaborative Applicant, the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Lead and the Coordinated Entry Lead Agency.

A Note on the Recent Annual Homelessness Assessment Report

One bright spot for the nation and Detroit has been the decline in homelessness amongst veterans, dropping 8% nationally and 7% locally. The nation has invested in VASH, a program for veterans where housing choice vouchers and supportive services are offered. Likewise, SSVF (Supportive Services for Veterans Families) targets time-limited housing support and services for veterans and their families.

We need to double down on what is working and find solutions where gaps exist. Let us finish what we started with Veterans and apply the lessons learned to all populations. Moving forward together, we will END homelessness.

— Tasha Gray, Executive Director, HAND

Read the The 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report (AHAR) to Congress here.

Coordinated Assessment Model (CAM) 101

This training is only for LMS users only. For training credit you can access this through the Detroit CoC LMS. Enroll in the LMS at bit.ly/HAND-Training.

Continuum of Care (CoC) 101



For training credit you can access this through the Detroit CoC LMS. Enroll in the LMS at bit.ly/HAND-Training. For an educational overview you can visit our Youtube channel bit.ly/CoC-101.

Bridging Communities:

Disability, Inclusion, and Intersectionality

February 28 | 10:30am - 4pm

This training from the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness explores disability pride, inclusion, intersectionality, and resilience, offering insights into the Disability Community’s diversity and actionable tools to challenge ableism. It highlights intersections between LGBTQIA+ and disability identities, shared struggles, and advocacy opportunities.

Learning Outcomes: Understand Disability Pride, ableism, and identity intersections to create inclusive spaces. Develop practical strategies to disrupt ableism and address biases in real-life situations. Build resilience, handle shame, and strengthen advocacy skills for justice and belonging. This a paid training is eligible for continuing education credits.

For more details including registration information, visit MCAH's website.

"On January 27, 2025, the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a memo that directed all federal agencies to pause spending on all grants, loans, and other federal financial assistance. The White House said that they are doing this because they want to review agency programs and determine if they fit with President Trump’s priorities. Engaging in a widespread freeze like this is not a common practice when new presidential administrations are determining their priorities." — Explaining the Impact of the Federal Funding Pause on People with Disabilities, American Association of People with Disabilities

"Medicare and Social Security benefits will not be affected, nor will any programme "that provides direct benefits to individuals", including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP or food stamps, the White House said.

But Leavitt did not clarify how aid to individuals would be protected in practice, as much of it goes first to state governments and other organisations, which then pass the assistance on to individuals." - White House defends freezing funds as 'reasonable' while Democrats express 'extreme alarm' — White House defends freezing funds as 'reasonable' while Democrats express 'extreme alarm', BBC

Some Programs that Would Be Affected

• Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers;
• Project-Based Rental Assistance;
• Section 202 Housing for the Elderly;
• Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities;
• Homeless Assistance Grants;
• Public Housing Operating and Capital Funds;
• HOME Investment Partnerships:
• Housing for Persons with AIDS;
• Fair Housing;
• Eviction Prevention Grants;
• Tribal housing programs; and many others

Read the rest on the National Low Income Housing Coalition's website.

• Medicaid
• Medicaid grants like the Money Follows the Person program
• Special education, including personnel preparation and research
• Vocational rehabilitation
• Housing assistance
• Childcare
• School meals
• Adult protective services
• Veteran’s Administration grants

Read the rest on the American Association of People with Disabilities' website.

January 28, 2025 - "A federal judge has temporarily blocked an effort by the Trump administration to pause federal payments for grants and other programs, suspending a plan that caused widespread confusion on Tuesday.

The order by U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan ensures that federal agencies, states and other organizations that receive money from the federal government should continue to receive funds beyond a previously set deadline of 5 p.m. ET." - Judge pauses Trump's federal funding freeze as confusion and frustration spread, NPR

January 29, 2025 - "The Office of Management and Budget has rescinded its call for a pause on payments for federal grants and other programs, the White House announced on Wednesday. But the administration said that only the original memo calling for the freeze had been rescinded — not its effort to review federal spending.

[...]

The original memo sparked widespread confusion on Tuesday, as recipients of federal assistance scrambled to make sense of what the order might mean for everything from Medicaid payments to funding for schools, hospitals and shelters." — White House response adds to confusion on federal funding freeze, NPR

"Housing providers that get federal funding were thrown into chaos and concern this week over a memo from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) declaring a federal funding freeze until programs were shown to comply with a raft of executive orders."

[....]

“Advocacy takes vigilance,” Saadian said. “We will be continuing to monitor to help protect HUD programs and the people who rely on them, but this is the first of many fights that we have ahead.” — Federal Funding Freeze Memo Rescinded — But We’re Not Out of the Woods Yet, Shelterforce

January 31, 2025 - A federal judge in Rhode Island temporarily blocked the Trump administration from freezing federal assistance after a group of 22 states and the District of Columbia challenged a memo from the White House budget office ordering a pause of federal funding. — Judge pauses Trump's federal funding freeze as confusion and frustration spread, NPR

What You Can Do

From NAEH: Homelessness Funding at Risk

"Homelessness funds are still uncertain due to delays at HUD. It is clear from the now-rescinded OMB memorandum that these funds are at risk: although awards have been announced, the projects are not yet under grant agreement."

• Call your lawmakers’ D.C. offices
• Fill out the form on this page
• Send a customized email to your lawmaker’s office.

The Impact of Houselessness on the Mental Health and Wellbeing of Children, Youth & Families

February 4, 2025 | 3:30pm - 5:00pm EST

This panel discussion will explore the impact of houselessness on the mental health and wellbeing of children, youth, and families, from many different perspectives. The diverse panelists will explore topics ranging from the lived reality of what living on the streets does to one's mental health, the impact of the Grants Pass Supreme Court of The United States (SCOTUS) ruling, which essentially criminalizes houselessness, how houselessness disproportionately affects the 2SLGBTQIA+ community and more. The panelists will share insights and stories from their lived and living personal and professional experience being, and working with unhoused individuals, opening audience members up to new ways of supporting, advocating, and caring for children, youth, and families struggling with housing instability.

Register here.

Interim Strategies For Responding To Unsheltered Homelessness

February 12, 2025 | 3pm EST

Join the NAEH as they discuss their recently released guidance which describes key elements and considerations that should be incorporated into any adopted interim strategy.

Although permanent housing paired with services and supports tailored to the household remains the only permanent solution to homelessness, there is no community in the country that has an adequate housing supply or social safety net. This, combined with insufficient shelter capacity, results in more and more people forced to sleep outside. While pursuing more of the right solutions is key to ending homelessness, what can community leaders do today to immediately respond to the needs of people experiencing unsheltered homelessness?

Register here.

Housing Case Manager

MCHS is looking for a Housing Case Manager to join their YHDP team. Position is full-time and based in Detroit. The ideal candidate has experience in the housing field, empathy, and a demonstrated ability to serve those who have experienced trauma.

Learn more and apply here.

Coordinated Entry (CE)

Assistant Director

The Coordinated Entry (CE) Assistant Director is responsible for providing supervision, administration, and oversight of CAM staff and operations. In partnership with CAM managers and Director-level staff, the Assistant Director is responsible for monitoring the CAM for compliance, funding requirements, evaluation, and outcome data, as well as ensuring staff productivity/efficiency standards are met, completion of quarterly/annual reports as required by the funding sources, and overall monitoring all aspect of the CAM to ensure operational excellence.

Learn more and apply here.

Corktown Health Financial Assistance

The Housing and EFA programs provide emergency financial assistance to households experiencing utility shutoff (past due bills), eviction, need for assistance with first month’s rent for a new move. This type of assistance is designed to help clients living with HIV stay engaged or to reengage in medical care. When an applicant does not meet the criteria of our programs, we work with our network to connect the client to additional resources.

Must apply for "MDHHS SER" on MIBridges first.

Find out more about the program on Corktown Health'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.

Ride Free for Three - Detroit Transportation Program

What is this program?

The DDOT "Working in the D? Ride Free for Three" program is an incentive to assist new employees before they get their first paycheck, and guarantee transportation to/from the workplace their first three months of employment.

Who is eligible?

Eligible employees must meet the following criteria;

• Are at least eighteen (18) years of age.
• Work a permanent full-time or part-time position within the City of Detroit.
• Hired within the past thirty (30) days.
• Commute on a DDOT fixed bus route.

As a business owner, how do I and why would I participate?

All Detroit businesses can participate. Providing your new employees with a bus pass gives them a stress-free way to get to and from work - and allows you to pull talent from anywhere DDOT serves. There's no cost for employers to participate in the "Ride Free for Three" program. Click here to sign up.

Rides to Care

Whether you're pregnant, a new mom, or a caregiver, you can get free rides to doctor appointments. This new Detroit Department of Health program provides transportation for prenatal and postpartum care up to the baby's first birthday.

Rides are available

• Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Saturday, 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Services are not available on holidays

To schedule a ride, call (313)876-0000

• Allow enough time to get to the appointment on time
• Rides can be scheduled up to one hour before the appointment or a week in advance
• All riders with children must bring their own car seat

For more info, visit detroitmi.gov/ridestocare

This week we have a riddle for you. We will reveal the answer in the February 17 CoC Newsletter.

I have keys but no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but you can't go inside. What am I?

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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