Homelessness began as a nationwide epidemic in the 1980’s.
Since then, an entire generation has been raised in a world where it is normal to see a human being sleeping on the street. All too often, those who die on the streets are not connected to family or support systems who can hold a funeral or properly honor them.
Because of this injustice, the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council commemorate December 21—the longest night of the year—as the first Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in 1990 to remember those who died during the year without housing.
31 years later, the epidemic has grown, with more people living and dying without housing.
Let us remember all those who lost their lives for lack of housing, reflect on the shocking inhumanity of homelessness, and call for meaningful policy changes to ensure that no life is lived or lost in homelessness.
HOPE provides a voice for the homeless.
Since then, an entire generation has been raised in a world where it is normal to see a human being sleeping on the street. All too often, those who die on the streets are not connected to family or support systems who can hold a funeral or properly honor them.
Because of this injustice, the National Coalition for the Homeless and the National Health Care for the Homeless Council commemorate December 21—the longest night of the year—as the first Homeless Persons’ Memorial Day in 1990 to remember those who died during the year without housing.
31 years later, the epidemic has grown, with more people living and dying without housing.
Let us remember all those who lost their lives for lack of housing, reflect on the shocking inhumanity of homelessness, and call for meaningful policy changes to ensure that no life is lived or lost in homelessness.
HOPE provides a voice for the homeless.
Income DiscriminationHope is working to prohibit source of income discrimination, the practice of refusing to rent to a housing applicant because of that person's lawful form of income.
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VeteransHUD estimates that approximately 639 Michigan veterans are homeless. HOPE advocates for veterans by working with various veterans task forces to provide a voice for homeless veterans.
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HealthcareHOPE strives to advocate for our guests by identifying and filling gaps in services and creating necessary programs in collaboration with our community partners.
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Identification DocumentsHOPE helps shelter guests acquire the necessary documentation to apply for housing assistance.
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Partner AgenciesHOPE's success depends on its relationships with partner agencies in Oakland County and beyond.
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DocumentariesWe aim to provide education that will change the perception and attitude towards the homeless.
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State law change is needed to eliminate Source of Income Discrimination in Michigan. Source of Income Discrimination refers to the practice of refusing to rent to a housing applicant because of that person's lawful form of income. Changing law has to be statewide because so many counties have “home rule” which allows each municipality to create their own laws. It is cumbersome to make this law change, town by town, city by city, township by township throughout the state.
While individuals with low income and on a rental subsidy are most often impacted, this practice often discriminates against seniors who can be denied rent because of their income which does not take into account their savings, and university students with income through student grants/loans who still need a parent to sign the lease because only specific earned income counts- not student loans/grants.
Renters experience discrimination when landlords require that their income meet or exceeds three times the rental cost of an apartment. This practice reduces, and in some instances, eliminates housing choice. Further, this discriminatory practice is a holdover from racially motivated redlining thereby maintaining pockets of poverty and eliminating access to school districts with better outcomes. Often there is little difference in the cost of rent between an apartment in a disadvantaged area and one in a place with a lower crime rate and higher standard of living. Instead this policy is strictly to keep the “wrong sort of people” out of the target community.
Currently, HOPE is working with Senator Rosemary Bayer and Representative Brenda Carter, co-chairs of Michigan’s Legislature Homeless and Poverty Caucus, to prohibit source of income discrimination. There are two bills currently, HB 4553 and SB 0255, that moved from committee in March 2021, but seem to be stalled in the legislature. In 2022, HOPE seeks to work with this caucus and legislators to once again introduce this bill, hopefully with a successful conclusion.
The second outcome is that passage of this bill removes a huge barrier to individuals securing affordable housing in a neighborhood of choice.
The third outcome is the correction of a racially motivated inequity that is left over from the Jim Crow era.
While individuals with low income and on a rental subsidy are most often impacted, this practice often discriminates against seniors who can be denied rent because of their income which does not take into account their savings, and university students with income through student grants/loans who still need a parent to sign the lease because only specific earned income counts- not student loans/grants.
Renters experience discrimination when landlords require that their income meet or exceeds three times the rental cost of an apartment. This practice reduces, and in some instances, eliminates housing choice. Further, this discriminatory practice is a holdover from racially motivated redlining thereby maintaining pockets of poverty and eliminating access to school districts with better outcomes. Often there is little difference in the cost of rent between an apartment in a disadvantaged area and one in a place with a lower crime rate and higher standard of living. Instead this policy is strictly to keep the “wrong sort of people” out of the target community.
Currently, HOPE is working with Senator Rosemary Bayer and Representative Brenda Carter, co-chairs of Michigan’s Legislature Homeless and Poverty Caucus, to prohibit source of income discrimination. There are two bills currently, HB 4553 and SB 0255, that moved from committee in March 2021, but seem to be stalled in the legislature. In 2022, HOPE seeks to work with this caucus and legislators to once again introduce this bill, hopefully with a successful conclusion.
The second outcome is that passage of this bill removes a huge barrier to individuals securing affordable housing in a neighborhood of choice.
The third outcome is the correction of a racially motivated inequity that is left over from the Jim Crow era.
HOPE is a proud member of the Oakland County Veterans By-Name Task Force. We meet twice a month to identify Oakland County veterans in need of housing assistance.
Veterans Resources
VA Crisis line: (800) 273-8255, then press 1
Michigan Veteran Affairs
(800) 642-4838
The Recovery Village
855-900-3457
Website: https://www.TheRecoveryVillage.com/resources/veterans/
Drug Rehab USA
888-479-0446
Website: Veterans Drug Rehab Centers in Michigan, United States - Directory (drugrehabus.org)
Sunshine Behavioral Health
Website: https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/veterans/
Oakland Co. Veterans By-Name Task Force
HOPE is a proud member of the Oakland County Veterans By-Name Task Force. We meet twice a month to identify Oakland County veterans in need of housing assistance. In 2015, HOPE served 35 veterans.
Campaign: Zero 2016
Campaign: Zero 2016 is an initiative by several entities including the Veterans Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Its aim is to promote best practices in the area of veteran homelessness. The Oakland Co Veterans By-Name Task Force is guided by models provided by this campaign.
HOPE for Vietnam Veterans
In conjunction with the Community Mental Health Authority of Oakland County, HOPE is utilizing special grant funding designated to moving Vietnam veterans from homelessness to being securely housed. Between May 2016 and September 2016 HOPE utilized a grant specific to homeless veterans who served in Vietnam.
Veterans Exposed to Asbestos
Many Veterans have been exposed to asbestos. The exposure may eventually turn into mesothelioma. Many years can pass before symptoms develop. Check out this website to learn more about resources to help people exposed to asbestos. https://www.asbestos.com
Veterans Resources
VA Crisis line: (800) 273-8255, then press 1
Michigan Veteran Affairs
(800) 642-4838
The Recovery Village
855-900-3457
Website: https://www.TheRecoveryVillage.com/resources/veterans/
Drug Rehab USA
888-479-0446
Website: Veterans Drug Rehab Centers in Michigan, United States - Directory (drugrehabus.org)
Sunshine Behavioral Health
Website: https://www.sunshinebehavioralhealth.com/veterans/
Oakland Co. Veterans By-Name Task Force
HOPE is a proud member of the Oakland County Veterans By-Name Task Force. We meet twice a month to identify Oakland County veterans in need of housing assistance. In 2015, HOPE served 35 veterans.
Campaign: Zero 2016
Campaign: Zero 2016 is an initiative by several entities including the Veterans Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Its aim is to promote best practices in the area of veteran homelessness. The Oakland Co Veterans By-Name Task Force is guided by models provided by this campaign.
HOPE for Vietnam Veterans
In conjunction with the Community Mental Health Authority of Oakland County, HOPE is utilizing special grant funding designated to moving Vietnam veterans from homelessness to being securely housed. Between May 2016 and September 2016 HOPE utilized a grant specific to homeless veterans who served in Vietnam.
Veterans Exposed to Asbestos
Many Veterans have been exposed to asbestos. The exposure may eventually turn into mesothelioma. Many years can pass before symptoms develop. Check out this website to learn more about resources to help people exposed to asbestos. https://www.asbestos.com
With the passage of the Affordable Care Act, we have assisted our guests in enrolling in health plans. With this advancement, our clients are able to access preventative primary care services rather than having to seek help in a hospital emergency room. Now many of our guests receive care and medication for medical issues that previously were not treated. However there are still barriers to obtaining adequate medical services for our population. HOPE strives to advocate for our guests by identifying and filling gaps in services and creating necessary programs in collaboration with our community partners.
Homeless Healthcare Collaboration
HOPE participates in the Homeless Healthcare Collaborative, a committee of local stakeholders that aim to improve access to healthcare for those experiencing homelessness in Oakland County.
Oakland County Health Division
The Health Division is a key partner of HOPE, Public Health nurses pre-screen prospective guests while they are still at the hospital. They also help our current shelter guests to schedule and arrange transportation to doctors' appointments. The Public Health nurses help our guests to understand and participate in their health care.
Partnerships
HOPE has a valuable partnership with Oakland Integrated Health Network (OHIN)
OHIN holds a clinic onsite at HOPE once a week to provide care to our guests. Through the work of a nurse practitioner, our guests have access to blood tests, prescriptions, and general care. If prescriptions are needed, a local partner pharmacy will deliver the needed medicine to the shelter.
Homeless Healthcare Collaboration
HOPE participates in the Homeless Healthcare Collaborative, a committee of local stakeholders that aim to improve access to healthcare for those experiencing homelessness in Oakland County.
Oakland County Health Division
The Health Division is a key partner of HOPE, Public Health nurses pre-screen prospective guests while they are still at the hospital. They also help our current shelter guests to schedule and arrange transportation to doctors' appointments. The Public Health nurses help our guests to understand and participate in their health care.
Partnerships
HOPE has a valuable partnership with Oakland Integrated Health Network (OHIN)
OHIN holds a clinic onsite at HOPE once a week to provide care to our guests. Through the work of a nurse practitioner, our guests have access to blood tests, prescriptions, and general care. If prescriptions are needed, a local partner pharmacy will deliver the needed medicine to the shelter.
HOPE's Service Navigator helps our guests to navigate the complex human service system which is the key in transitioning out of homelessness. The Service Navigator provides comprehensive case management in partnership with other community organizations to best serve our guests. This process includes obtaining things such as identification, mental health services and permanent housing.
Identification
There are three key documents that are required for enrollment into housing programs; photo identification, birth certificate, and social security card. At time this can be a circular and confusing process, sometimes these identity documents are required to obtain the others. Through the ID Taskforce, we are working to change policy pertaining to obtaining vital documents in Michigan. HOPE service navigator works collaboratively with human service agencies in Oakland County which assist our guest in obtaining these types of documents.
Mental Health
HOPE has a strong relationship with the Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN), as well as with mental health service providers, Easter Seals, and Community Network Services (CNS).
Through our relationship with OCHN, HOPE guests are able to be screened onsite for eligibility for mental health programs. As a result of this 91% of our guests are connected with integral mental health services. In other shelters this statistic is typically much lower. Our guests are able to meet with their case managers on site. HOPE staff is also able to work hand-in-hand with case managers to help our guests receive much needed services.
Housing
HOPE has relationships with homeless housing providers. HOPE is a member of the Alliance for Housing, Oakland County's Continuum of Care (CoC). Through the CoC, HOPE works in concert with housing providers in Oakland County. HOPE's Service Navigator helps our guests to complete and gather necessary documents and information as well as acts as a facilitator between housing organizations and guests.
Identification
There are three key documents that are required for enrollment into housing programs; photo identification, birth certificate, and social security card. At time this can be a circular and confusing process, sometimes these identity documents are required to obtain the others. Through the ID Taskforce, we are working to change policy pertaining to obtaining vital documents in Michigan. HOPE service navigator works collaboratively with human service agencies in Oakland County which assist our guest in obtaining these types of documents.
Mental Health
HOPE has a strong relationship with the Oakland Community Health Network (OCHN), as well as with mental health service providers, Easter Seals, and Community Network Services (CNS).
Through our relationship with OCHN, HOPE guests are able to be screened onsite for eligibility for mental health programs. As a result of this 91% of our guests are connected with integral mental health services. In other shelters this statistic is typically much lower. Our guests are able to meet with their case managers on site. HOPE staff is also able to work hand-in-hand with case managers to help our guests receive much needed services.
Housing
HOPE has relationships with homeless housing providers. HOPE is a member of the Alliance for Housing, Oakland County's Continuum of Care (CoC). Through the CoC, HOPE works in concert with housing providers in Oakland County. HOPE's Service Navigator helps our guests to complete and gather necessary documents and information as well as acts as a facilitator between housing organizations and guests.
HOPE helps shelter guests acquire the necessary documentation to apply for housing assistance. It is difficult sometimes to access this identity documentation when you are carrying everything you own in a backpack, many of our guests to not have their vital identity documents. Photo identification, birth certificate, and Social Security card are the three documents that are required for many of the paths out of homelessness. These vital documents are needed to enroll in housing programs, and their acquisition can often be a barrier for our guests.
HOPE participates in the Oakland County ID Taskforce, a committee of the Homeless Healthcare Collaboration, to help alleviate the barriers the homeless community face in obtaining identity documents.
HOPE participates in the Oakland County ID Taskforce, a committee of the Homeless Healthcare Collaboration, to help alleviate the barriers the homeless community face in obtaining identity documents.
A Housing Trust Fund/Landlord Mitigation Fund is necessary to ensure a ready pool of affordable housing- both high quality existing units and new stock. Without access to quality affordable housing, there is no ability for us as a society to resolve homelessness. There are many equity issues as well when those living intergenerational poverty, people of color, female heads of households, etc. are relegated to substandard, aging and often toxic housing stock where children are routinely exposed to lead/environmental hazards, unsafe buildings with numerous code violations in unsafe communities.
POSITION 5:
The Housing Trust Fund provides grants through county and state to community entities to produce and preserve affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income households. The Landlord Mitigation Fund would provide landlords with funding if a tenant destroys any part of the landlord’s property and makes the landlord whole. This fund likely will have a component that will allow for proactive code enforcement which focuses on maintenance rather than code violation and supports small landlords with grants to encourage regular maintenance and improvement.
Both of these funds can remove significant barriers to housing for individuals with low/no income and receiving rental subsidies.
DESIRED OUTCOME 5:
HOPE is working with both the Oakland County Board of Commission and the State of Michigan/Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness to secure funding for housing trusts to improve the stock of affordable housing. This investment is critical to resolution of homelessness.
HOPE is working locally to establish a Landlord Mitigation Fund in Oakland County to remove the landlord’s fear that those receiving rental subsidies will destroy their property. Even though studies show that landlords renting to individuals receiving subsidies are no more apt to destroy property than tenants without subsidies, this extra insurance helps allay these fears.
With affordable housing already at a premium, any way we can increase housing stock in communities of choice would allow those receiving rental subsidies to move to new communities, access better schools for their children and provide them with opportunity to make significant life changes.
POSITION 5:
The Housing Trust Fund provides grants through county and state to community entities to produce and preserve affordable housing for extremely low- and very low-income households. The Landlord Mitigation Fund would provide landlords with funding if a tenant destroys any part of the landlord’s property and makes the landlord whole. This fund likely will have a component that will allow for proactive code enforcement which focuses on maintenance rather than code violation and supports small landlords with grants to encourage regular maintenance and improvement.
Both of these funds can remove significant barriers to housing for individuals with low/no income and receiving rental subsidies.
DESIRED OUTCOME 5:
HOPE is working with both the Oakland County Board of Commission and the State of Michigan/Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness to secure funding for housing trusts to improve the stock of affordable housing. This investment is critical to resolution of homelessness.
HOPE is working locally to establish a Landlord Mitigation Fund in Oakland County to remove the landlord’s fear that those receiving rental subsidies will destroy their property. Even though studies show that landlords renting to individuals receiving subsidies are no more apt to destroy property than tenants without subsidies, this extra insurance helps allay these fears.
With affordable housing already at a premium, any way we can increase housing stock in communities of choice would allow those receiving rental subsidies to move to new communities, access better schools for their children and provide them with opportunity to make significant life changes.
HOPE's success depends on its relationships with partner agencies in Oakland County and beyond. If your organization would like to become a partner, please contact us. We are proud to work closely with the following organizations:
Community Housing Network
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Alliance for Housing (Continuum of Care)
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Training and Treatment Innovations (TTI)
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South Oakland Shelter
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U.S. Dept of Veterans Affairs
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Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic
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Lighthouse of Oakland County
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Common Ground
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Oakland Community Health Network
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The Jewish Fund
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Michigan State Housing Development Authority
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Oakland County Government
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U.S. Dept of Housing and Urban Development
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Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine
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Catholic Community Response Team (CCRT)
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Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
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Honor Community Health
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Oakland County Health Division
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The Salvation Army- Eastern Michigan Division
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Baldwin Center
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Lowe's - Bloomfield Hills
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Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital
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McLaren Oakland Hopsital
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St Joseph Mercy Oakland Hospital
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Oakland-Livingston Human Service Agency
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MolinaCares
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We aim to provide education that will change the perception and attitude towards the homeless.
|
SHELTER (Full Length Documentary)
From the team behind the Peabody Award winning Last Chance High, comes SHELTER: a feature length documentary following a year in the life of homeless youth in New Orleans. |
You're Homeless... Now What?
Martha Stone | TEDxPiscataquaRiver What does homelessness look like, and who does it effect? Martha Stone, the executive director of a 96-bed homeless shelter, shares the stories of a few residents of the shelter, and shares how we can all end the cycle of homelessness in our communities. |
ON THE STREETS (A feature documentary on homelessness in L.A.)
On the Streets' is a 12-part video series about homelessness in Los Angeles. Journalist and filmmaker Lisa Biagiotti tackles this complex issue by putting faces to the statistics. |
