Homelessness Strategic Planning Project

The City of Detroit, the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND), and community partners in the homelessness response system are creating a five-year strategic system improvement plan to reduce homelessness in the City of Detroit. This Plan will serve as a roadmap to support the community in achieving the following objectives:  

• Clear and unified message and plan for how Detroit is working to end homelessness, with a leading focus on equity and justice.  

• Coordinated and improved system response to ending homelessness.  

• Streamlined procedures, standards, and expectations between all homelessness funding sources and homelessness service providers.  

• More efficient and better coordinated use of federal and private funds.  

• High quality services for those experiencing homelessness as measured by increased exits to permanent housing, shorter time experiencing homelessness, and increased overall household stability 

Stay tuned for future announcements and updates on the project on this page. If you would like to contact a member of the team, email strategicplan@detroitmi.gov.” 

Community Updates

To view a progress report from the first quarter of the strategic system improvement planning process, CLICK HERE. 

UPDATE: City's Role in the Detroit Continuum of Care CAM Transition

Please click the image to read about changes in the City of Detroit’s role in the CAM Transition process

Download the letter

Despite the changes, our CoC is committed to maintaining the continuity of services through our coordinated entry system that provides access to temporary and permanent housing for those in need through September 1st and beyond. Recommendations and next steps will be shared with the CAM Transitional Team, CoC Board, and CoC General Membership at their respective meetings

For more CAM Transition information, you can go to our CAM Transition page.

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

Senate Hearing on Source of Income Protection Bills

From the Washtenaw Housing Alliance:

The Michigan Senate Housing and Human Services Committee held its first hearing on 3 source of income (SOI) nondiscrimination bills on May 16th. This is encouraging news! The WHA, Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH), Coalition for Expanding Housing Access (CEHA), and many other partners across the state have been advocating for a committee hearing since the bills were introduced earlier this year.

Senate bills 205, 206, and 207 would amend the Landlord Tenant Act and the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit housing discrimination on the basis of a legal source of income (i.e. housing choice vouchers and other non-wage sources of income). Under current state law, there is no clear prohibition against a landlord refusing to accept Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs), veterans’ benefits, alimony, MDHHS cash assistance, SSI/SSDI as part of a person’s legal total combined income. These sources of income are many times what tenants, who earn low to no income, need when applying to rent a house or apartment in the neighborhood or community of their choice.

Read more on WHA’s website.

CoC Vaccine Data Project Summary

In January 2021 the City of Detroit began providing COVID-19 vaccine to the homeless community through Detroit Health Department (DHD) weekly clinics. The COVID-19 Vaccine Coordination Project began April 2021 and continued through March 2023. Vaccines were administered by DHD, HONU, Central City Integrated Health (CCIH), and the Wayne Health Mobile Unit.

• From January 2021 thru March 2023, 1584 shots were administered and recorded; 81.8 percent (1295) were primary doses;

• The first two shots of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and the single shot of Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) vaccine.

• Of the 6674 shelter and day center consumers during the project period, 10.8 percent, 724 individuals received at least their first shot.

• 185 primary boosters were administered, while 104 bivalent boosters were administered.

Presented vaccine data is for homeless adults whose information was entered in HMIS. Presented data does not represent all COVID-19 vaccines within the homeless community. Vaccinated children are not included.

The Vaccine Coordinators appreciate all the assistance of the shelter and day center administrators.

FY2022 CoC Competition Awards

On March 28, 2023, the Detroit CoC was awarded $32 million in CoC funding in the FY2022 Continuum of Care competition. A full list of projects awarded funding is available here. Projects were ranked according to our project prioritization ranking. Read the overview and analysis below or by clicking here.

Earned Income Tax Credit Awareness Day!

Over 20 million of low to moderate income households benefit from this credit every year.  To learn more here before you file your taxes go to the IRS website.

 For local help filing taxes & applying for the EITC or other tax credits, Wayne Metro CAA offers free tax preparation services. To book your appointment, either go to Wayne Metro's website,  call (313)388-9799 or (313)244-0274.

 The United Way for Southeastern Michigan (UWSEM) also offers free and low cost tax preparation services. Preregister for services here.

 To file taxes on your own, use this free tool from the UWSEM.

Give Where You Live

This year, HAND has partnered with Mailchimp for the Give Where You Live campaign. The campaign’s purpose is to fundraise for nonprofits in Detroit and other cities.

You can support HAND in several ways. Purchase a gift card from Texas Roadhouse, present this flyer when you purchase a meal at Texas Roadhouse, or donate to HAND directly.

Letter of Intent

Submissions are closed

HAND is seeking letters of intent (LOI) from agencies interested in becoming the new CAM Lead Agency.

Though not required, agencies that think they may apply to become the new CAM Lead Agency are strongly encouraged to submit an LOI. Details on the LOI may be accessed here.

LOIs are due to Amanda Sternberg by December 16, 2022.

For questions or additional information contact Amanda Sternberg at amanda@handetroit.org or 313-380-1714.

HAND is Seeking a Coordinated Entry Consultant

Update: Position is filled

CAM Transition Consultant RFP

The Detroit CoC’s Lead Agency, the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND), is seeking an experienced consultant to help us identify a new Coordinated Entry Lead Agency. We are looking for a consultant/contractor to serve as project manager to oversee the successful transition and onboarding of a new Coordinated Entry Lead Agency. If you feel that your expertise is a good fit for this role, please submit a proposal. View the full job description here.

All submissions are due no later than 5pm on December 19th.