Many Detroiters struggle with homelessness. Just how big is the problem? Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries says 18,000 people won’t have a place to sleep tonight. There are several large shelters but not enough to house that many. And as worthy as emergency shelters are, they’re only temporary. Preventing homelessness is the key and that’s what “rapid rehousing” is all about. In 2009, President Barack Obama signed American Recovery and Reinvestment which funded the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) administered by the U.S.Department of Housing and Urban Development Homeless Resource Exchange (HUD-HRE). With the ending of that program last December, the need will be greater. Several organizations in Detroit continue that program model: to get people into permanent homes as quickly as possible.
COTS Detroit :
The Coalition on Temporary Shelter offers services to help people to achieve self-sufficiency and access quality affordable housing. COTS helps homeless people help themselves and find long-term solutions. COTS Detroit, located at 26 Peterboro in Detroit, offers several housing programs. At the Peterboro address COTS maintains a 140-bed emergency shelter and kitchen for those in immediate need. The COTS Transitional Housing Program provides up to 24 months of support while clients work toward financial stability. COTS also has a Permanent Supportive Housing program that provides subsidized housing and specific support services to combat recurring periods of homelessness. COTS offers day care while parents work or look for work.
Juda Transitional & Recovery House
Located at 12126 Stoepel, Juda offers two levels of service for housing. First, transitional housing provides participants with sleeping quarters, kitchen and laundry facilities, and health services and structured peer living. The program provides life skills case management to help participants access social services, employment and permanent housing. The programs connects participants with employers and financial counseling. It moves them toward permanent housing solutions.
United Community Housing Coalition
UCHC is a nonprofit housing assistance organization. It helps tenants, homesteaders, homeowners, and homeless to find and maintain affordable housing. It connects people with community, religious, civil rights, labor and housing advocacy organizations. UCHC services are free to families and individuals whose income qualifies them.
Housing Resource Center
Southwest Couseling Solutions offers a supportive housing program that helps formerly homeless individuals and families access and keep permanent housing. SCS offers many services to help people break the cycle of homelessness. HRC connects families and individuals with special needs to find counseling, treatment services, education and care.
Housing Action Network of Detroit
Known as HAND, this organization is appropriately nicknamed. It provides that helping hand out of poverty and hopeless. It also shows what can happen when people work hand in hand. HAND operates as the “Continuum of Care” for Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, Michigan. The group in comprised of nonprofits, businesses, government agencies, and local individuals. The goal is committed housing those in need in Detroit.
