Out Wayne County Homeless Services Coalition
The Out-Wayne County Homeless Services Coalition is an informal partnership between over thirty agencies, organizations and governmental units that works to bridge the gaps that lead to homelessness. Formed in 1993, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency is the lead organization in the Coalition. Shortly after the formation of the Coalition, member agencies also formed a Continuum of Care (CoC) that would address the specific needs of Out-Wayne County's homeless population while fostering better communication and closing service gaps.
The mission of the Out-Wayne County Homeless Services Coalition is to eliminate homelessness in the Out Wayne County area. Toward this end, the Coalition established a 10 Year Plan to end Homelessness. The Plan identifies economic and social issues at the local and state level that contribute to homelessness and substandard housing, while also proving direction for the Coalition to work toward.
The Coalition works together to improve the capacity of all community partners to help homeless, imminently homeless and marginally housed persons locate, secure and sustain permanent housing.
Member agencies include:
ACCESS
Adult Comfort Living Housing
ChristNet
City of Dearborn
Community Care Services
Downriver Community Conference
Faith Recovery Center
First Step
Liberty Hill Housing Corporation
Lincoln Behavioral Services
Living the Principles, Inc.
Lutheran Social Services of Michigan - Wayne County Family Center
Neighborhood Legal Services
Serenity Center, Inc.
Starfish Family Services
The Senior Alliance and the Area Agency on Aging 1-C
Travelers Aid Society
United Way of Southeastern Michigan
Veteran's Haven, Inc.
Wayne County Department of Economic Development
Wayne County Senior Citizens Services
Wayne County Executive Office
Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency
For more information on the Out-Wayne County Homeless Coalition:
Website: www.outwaynehomeless.org
Anjala Huff
(734) 246-2280
Wayne Homeless Network Project
The Wayne Homeless Network Project provides a comprehensive range of services to homeless individuals and families in Out-Wayne County and was innovatively designed based on the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care model. The project demonstrates that in a designated geographic area, a Continuum of Care system can efficiently provide a full spectrum of services through an effective collaboration of partners and resources.
In 2000, the Out-Wayne County Homeless Services Coalition was awarded a "Best Practice" recognition for the Wayne Homeless Network Project. The project includes outreach, case management, transitional housing, transportation, permanent housing placement, and direct linkage to appropriate services as required. These services may include but not be limited to mental health counseling, substance abuse treatment, school advocacy, and employment services.
For more information please contact:
Jane Scarlett, Homeless Programs Director
Wayne Metro C.A.A. Main Service Office
2121 Biddle, Suite 102
Wyandotte, MI 48192
734-284-6999
Shelter + Care Program
Wayne Metro's Shelter + Care Program provides permanent housing rental assistance to homeless mentally-ill/dually-diagnosed individuals and families. Housing and services are designed to meet the on-going needs of program participants in order to maintain housing stability, foster self-determination and maximize independence.
Housing is offered in scattered-site, private-market units and is selected based on the desire and needs of each resident. Support services provided by partner agencies continue for the duration of tenancy.
For more information please contact:
Jane Scarlett, Homeless Programs Director
Wayne Metro C.A.A. Main Service Office
2121 Biddle, Suite 102
Wyandotte, MI 48192
734-284-6999
Safe Haven
Safe Haven is supportive housing program funded through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). "Safe Haven" is also a philosophy that provides just what it says, a "safe haven" to homeless mentally-ill/dually-diagnosed who choose not to engage in supportive services. A Safe Haven offers this target population a place to stay, sleep, eat, bathe, and receive mail with the goal that they will eventually choose to utilize supportive services and ultimately move to permanent housing.
The Out-Wayne County Homeless Services Coalition received a Notification of Funding in 2000 to implement a Safe Haven Project. One of only two in Michigan, the program is a rarity throughout the United States and is very difficult to carry out because of the need for a strong collaboration between expert service providers.
There is no limit on the length of time that a consumer may stay at the Safe Haven, but there are house rules in place that help to maintain the safety and well being of both consumer and staff.
For more information please contact:
Jane Scarlett, Homeless Programs Director
Wayne Metro C.A.A Main Service Office
2121 Biddle, Suite 102
Wyandotte, MI 48192
734-284-6999
Biddle Management LLC
In May of 2002, Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency launched Biddle Management. The limited-liability single-member organization was created to offer fiduciary services and programmatic oversight to community-based and governmental organizations in the administration of publicly funded programs.
As the needs of Biddle Management's clientele have grown, so has the company's mission. In addition to contract monitoring and compliance, Biddle Management now provides property management services and technical assistance to non-profit entities.
Through its provision of capacity building and management services, Biddle Management also serves as a revenue stream for the core programs of Wayne Metro. Since its inception, Biddle Management has generated over $100,000 in funds that have supported homeless, children and family, and community support service programs. The flexibility these funds provide has permitted the agency to maintain programs in times of reduced funding and to pilot new initiatives to address the emerging needs of our clients.
For more information please contact:
Jennifer Lepard, Chief Operating Officer
Wayne Metro Corporate Office
2121 Biddle, Ste. 102
Wyandotte, MI 48192
734-246-2280
Employment Linkages
Employment Linkages provides employment search, placement, and job support to homeless individuals. Services are offered in partnership with homeless shelter and transitional housing providers to meet the specific employment needs of the homeless or recently housed.
Services include one-on-one counseling, work experience placements, job search support, and job placement.
For more information please contact:
Tom McCollister, Director of Employment & Training Programs
Wayne Metro C.A.A. Main Service Office
2121 Biddle, Suite 102
Wyandotte, MI 48192
734-284-6999
Housing Choice Voucher Agent
Wayne Metro is a Housing Agent for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority's Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly Section 8). Wayne Metro administers Housing Choice Vouchers for individuals and families who became eligible for assistance by being on the MSHDA Housing Choice Voucher waiting list. Wayne Metro does not manage and can not take applications for the waiting list. This U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development program provides rental assistance based on the adjusted gross income of project participants.
For more information, please contact:
Jane Scarlett, Homeless Program Director
Wayne Metro C.A.A. Main Service Office
2121 Biddle, Suite 102
Wyandotte, MI 48192
734-284-6999