In 2019 appx. 10,000 individuals in Detroit experienced homelessness during the yearly POINT IN TIME count.
Read more about the numbers HERE.
The Point-in-Time (PIT) count is a count of people who are experiencing homelessness on one night in January. This count helps provide a snapshot of who is homeless in our community. It is also an an opportunity to help us better understand the needs in our community so that we can advocate for resources to meet those needs and measure our progress towards ending homelessness. The PIT count counts persons who are homeless and staying in unsheltered locations and persons who are staying in shelters on the night of the PIT. The sheltered PIT count is conducted using our community’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS). The unsheltered count is conducted by finding and interviewing people who are not in a shelter on the night of the PIT.
Did you know?
- It takes 105 hours of work per week at minimum wage to afford a two bedroom apartment at fair market rent.
- Twenty-two percent of homeless people are veterans. There are more homeless veterans today than U.S. soldiers who died in Vietnam.
- The average age of a homeless person in the U. S. is nine years old.
- In general, the homeless are among the least threatening, most vulnerable group in our society. If anything, they are victims of crimes, not perpetrators.
*Information from ChristNet‘s website, read more HERE
Need help, or looking to be a helper?
Here are some places to start in Wayne County, MI:
Shelter or Temporary Rental Assistance includes motel funding, rental debts, move-in assistance, and veteran-specific assistance. For assistance in Detroit, Hamtramck, or Highland Park, contact HAND at 313-484-4449. For assistance in other cities in Wayne County, contact Wayne Metro at 734-284-6999.
A Housing Assessment and Resources Agency (HARA) is an organization that directs people who need homeless assistance to the appropriate local service provider. People who contact a HARA will go through a screening and assessment tool. Then the HARA will make a referral to the agency that can help them. This way, if people are experiencing homelessness, they don’t have to call a bunch of shelters to see what their eligibility guidelines are and if they have. Instead, they will contact just one agency, the HARA, who will work quickly to find them safe housing. There are two HARAs in Wayne County: Southwest Solutions for Detroit, Highland Park and Hamtramck, and Wayne Metro for out-Wayne County.
In Detroit, this process is called the Coordinated Assessment Model (CAM) and Southwest Solutions is the lead agency. Individuals who do not have a safe place to sleep for the night and are in need of emergency shelter can call the CAM phone line at: 313-305-0311.
If you are a veteran, contact the Veteran Homeless Program phone line at 313-576-1580.
Wayne Metro can connect residents in out-Wayne County to emergency shelters and assist with rent payments to prevent homelessness. The Wayne Metro Connect Center’s phone number is 313-388-9799.
HUD gives money to make sure that agencies are working together on homelessness efforts. This is called a Continuum of Care (CoC). Through a CoC, communities identify local needs, develop strategies, and submit a single application to HUD to fund homelessness programs. CoC efforts are overseen by a lead agency. There are two lead agencies in Wayne County: (1) HAND oversees Detroit, Hamtramck and Highland Park (313-964-3666); and (2) Wayne Metro oversees out-Wayne County (734-284-6999).
Downriver, ChristNet (734- 287-8890) is a member Of The Out-Wayne County Homeless Services Coalition. “The mission of ChristNet is to provides temporary overnight emergency housing assistance and other services to homeless men, women, and children. We do this by providing a safe secure sleeping space indoors; offering three meals per day; and by maintaining a case manager who identifies and coordinates mainstream resources to help those in need restabilize their lives.”