Homeless Action Network of Detroit serves as the lead entity for the continuum of care for the cities of Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, Michigan.
The network works with a wide range of organizations including service providers, community development organization and local, state and federal government entities to find and implement solutions to homelessness in our community.
The primary plan of HAND is to move forward in accomplishing its 10-year plan to end homelessness.
The continuum of care model was instituted by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in the 1990’s, as HUD recognized the need for a more coordinated, collaborative and community-driven approach to awarding funds to organizations providing services to people who are experiencing homelessness.
As a result, one of the responsibilities of the continuum of care model is to collaboratively plan and apply for HUD McKinney-Vento funds. In a similar manner, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) also relies on the continuum of care to provide local insight into the needs of a community and to oversee the application of funding opportunities made possible by the State of Michigan. Each year, HAND coordinates annual funding applications to the State and Federal government, resulting in over $25 million in homelessness programming coming to our community on an annual basis.
HAND is also a core resource for all-things data related on homelessness. We oversee and manage our community’s Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), ensuring we have accurate information on who is homeless in our community, what their needs are, and what is working to address those needs.
HAND also works with our community partners and elected officials to advocate for policy solutions to poverty and homelessness.
HAND is a resource in Detroit, working for solutions to the problem of homelessness and advocating on behalf of those who are experiencing homelessness. Through bi-monthly membership meetings, the organization serves as an on-going forum for sharing information, planning, and networking among all agencies.
For more information, visit www.handetroit.org.
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