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. This is the CoC application the CoC general membership voted to approve on October 15, 2024.
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month
2025 Detroit CoC Board Elections
The 2025 Board applications are now open for submissions! 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 (more information on the function of the board and the responsibilities and qualifications of board members can be found in the application linked below).
Board elections will occur CoC November 19 at the Detroit CoC General Membership meeting (register). Only General Membership may vote.
The direct application is here and additional information about the 2025 Board Elections is here. Nominations closed October 8th Below is the list of the available vacant seats, along with a timeline of key election dates.
Positions open:
Member-at-Large (2 seats open)
At-large seats are defined as stakeholders and partners otherwise not listed in other elected categories (service providers and/or currently or formerly homeless individuals. Some examples of eligible Members at Large include:
Faith-Based Organization, Homeless Advocacy or other appropriate advocacy agencies, Business Entities, Public Schools and/or Higher Education Institution, Department of Community Health, Healthcare for the Homeless and/or Hospital, Police Department, Workforce Development, Department of Corrections, Landlords, Philanthropy/foundation.
Community Advocate (1 seat open)
These seats are reserved for persons with lived experience of homelessness (PWLEH). Per our most recent update to the Governance Charter, these positions will be elected by the Detroit Advisors Group (a committee of PWLEH that provide oversight to the CoC).
Homeless Service Provider (3 seats open)
Services must be conducted in Detroit, Highland Park, or Hamtramck
Timeline:
September 17 - Applications released
October 8 - Nominations Due
October 25 - Direct Applications Due
November 4 - Applications posted for review on our website
November 19 - Board elections will occur
November 25 - Elected members notified
January 2025 - Board Orientation Series will begin
For regular updates on the election, subscribe to our newsletter.
2024 PIT Count Report Released
The Detroit Continuum of Care (CoC), the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND), and the City of Detroit conducted a one-night Point-in-Time count of persons experiencing homelessness in the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park on January 31, 2024.
National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month
2022 State of Homelessness - Data Brief for the Detroit CoC
July 25 - HAND is proud to release the 2022 State of Homelessness Data Brief for the Detroit Continuum of Care.
In 2022, we saw a total of 6,221 people experiencing homelessness, a 9% increase from 2021. This follows three years of decreasing numbers since 2019. To better address these shifts, we’re presenting the 2022 State of Homelessness as a data brief instead of our usual Annual Report. The Data Brief highlights the most relevant core populations and outcome data for our community. Going forward, we'll produce a comprehensive Annual Report approximately every three years.
This report reflects the The Detroit Continuum of Care’s collective vision to respond to prevent and end homelessness, grounded in racial equity, where:
The system is led by people who have experienced homelessness and who reflect the community;
Members of the community rarely experience homelessness, and when they do, it’s for a short time and only once;
Homelessness and housing priorities are intentionally aligned for housing security Housing and services are rooted in dignity.
Strategic System Improvement Plan for Detroit’s Homelessness Response System
July 16, 2024 - The City of Detroit, the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND), Detroit Continuum of Care (CoC) and community partners in the homelessness response system revealed their new a five-year strategic system improvement plan to reduce homelessness in the City of Detroit.
Plan Goals
Equity, justice, and the leadership of people with lived experience of homelessness play key roles.
Every household receiving assistance through the Detroit's homelessness response system receives services based on their household needs.
Detroit's homelessness response system has enough housing resources .
People experiencing homelessness are holistically supported through effective, sustainable partnerships.
Funding will be coordinated in Detroit's homelessness response system.
Emergency, rehousing and prevention services are designed to ultimately reduce overall homelessness and first-time homelessness.
ABOUT
A Strategic Plan Oversight Commission (SPOC) was formed in 2023, with 5 people representing the City of Detroit, HAND, and the Detroit Continuum of Care and 5 people with lived experience of homelessness. The SPOC was charged with guiding the planning processes for the development of a new five-year Strategic System Improvement Plan for Detroit’s homelessness response system.
The Plan Focuses on 8 Improvement Action Areas
To drive progress toward its vision, the Plan features eight Improvement Action Areas focused on system-wide improvements and on strengthening core elements of the homelessness response system:
Establishing the Structures Necessary for Plan Implementation, to develop effective governance and project management structures that ensure effective implementation of all plan activities.
Leading the System toward Equity and Justice, to uplift the perspectives and leadership of people with lived experience of homelessness and to ensure programs and services are designed and implemented with a leading focus on equity and justice.
Enhancing Staffing and Capacity Across the Homelessness Response System, to ensure housing and service providers get the support, training, and compensation they need to provide high-quality, individualized services.
Advocating for Resources to Expand System and Improve Quality of Programs, to expand and improve federal, state, and local funding to both prevent and resolve experiences of homelessness.
Building Upon Existing Improvement Efforts, to sustain focus on apply lessons learned from improvement efforts focused on coordinated entry system, youth homelessness, and Veteran homelessness.
Strengthening and Reimagining Shelter, to improve facilities and programs so that people receive the same level of holistic, trauma-informed services, and case management across programs.
Expanding Housing Supply and Building an Effective Rehousing System, so that people are quickly connected to safe, stable, and affordable housing when they experience homelessness.
Reducing Unsheltered Homelessness, to reduce the number of people sleeping outside and connect them to housing and services solutions.
The full plan will be released in late July 2024.
Learn more about the plan on the City of Detroit’s website.
Breakfast of Champions
For the Breakfast of Champions award ceremony Anita Posey, HAND’s Administrative Assistant, recorded her nominating speech.
