As Detroit faces severe weather conditions, the city has ramped up efforts to provide shelter and assistance to those in need. The Coordinated Assessment Model (CAM), known as the primary hotline for individuals facing homelessness in Detroit, Hamtramck, and Highland Park, has expanded its services. In addition to the existing phone line (313-305-0311), CAM has now introduced “CAM Access Points,” physical locations where people can obtain referrals for emergency shelter or explore alternative housing options, such as staying with relatives. These in-person points have been operational since early January.
The CAM Access Points are located at:
- NOAH Project, 23 East Adams Avenue, available from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
- Cass Community Social Services, 11850 Woodrow Wilson Street, open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday to Friday.
- Veteran Affairs, 4646 John R Street, Red Tower, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Additionally, the CAM call center operates weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Detroit Housing Resource HelpLine (866-313-2520) is also available for assistance.
With the city currently under a “Code Blue” alert due to the extreme cold, emergency shelters are allowing people to stay beyond the usual hours if space is available. In cases where shelters are full, they are required to provide alternate accommodations, such as air mattresses or cots, or arrange for transport to another shelter.
As the mercury plummets in Detroit, the city’s harsh winter presents more than just a meteorological challenge; it underscores a profound social crisis. The biting cold that sweeps through the streets of the city is more than a mere inconvenience; it’s a relentless force that exacerbates the struggles of the city’s most vulnerable populations. For those without a roof over their heads, the frigid temperatures are not just uncomfortable – they are perilous. The reality of Detroit’s winter is a stark reminder of the disparity between the comfort of a warm home and the brutal exposure to the elements that some residents face. This chilling season does not merely bring snow and ice; it brings to the forefront the pressing need for compassion and action to ensure that the cold weather does not translate into a cold reality for those in need.
In Detroit, the winter months are not just a battle against the cold, but a struggle for survival for many. The plummeting temperatures serve as a grim reminder of the city’s socio-economic challenges, highlighting the urgent need for accessible shelter and support services. The frigid air that grips the city is a harsh juxtaposition to the warmth and security that every Detroiter deserves. It’s a time when the city’s spirit of resilience is tested, and the community’s resolve to protect its most vulnerable is called into action. The cold in Detroit is more than a climatic condition; it’s a call to action, a reminder that the warmth of humanity must rise to meet the challenges posed by the innate harshness of winter.
Amidst the dropping temperatures, there is a growing recognition that the cold should not dictate the reality for Detroiters in need. The city’s response, with warming centers and housing assistance, is a testament to the collective will to ensure that the biting cold does not become a symbol of despair, but a catalyst for community solidarity and support. This winter, as Detroiters wrap up against the cold, there’s a rising awareness that the fight against the freezing temperatures is also a fight for human dignity and care. It’s a time when the true warmth of Detroit comes not from the weather, but from the hearts of its residents, who stand together to ensure that no one is left out in the cold.
For more details on warming center locations and the “Code Blue” response, the public is directed to visit camdetroit.org/get-help/ and camdetroit.org/code-blue/.
The CAM system, which does not directly offer shelter but rather facilitates access to housing resources, underwent a management shift last year. The system, previously criticized for long wait times and inadequate follow-ups, is now managed by a collaboration of the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND), Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, and Community and Home Supports (CHS). HAND is committed to improving the system in its inaugural year of management.
For immediate respite from the cold, warming centers, along with public libraries and recreation centers, are available, providing meals, showers, and sleeping facilities. The Joseph Walker Williams Recreation Center, at 8431 Rosa Parks Boulevard, has been established as a temporary warming center for singles and families, operating 24/7 until further notice. The center, with a capacity of 100 cots, has already served 137 individuals since its opening last weekend. “It’s so cold in the D” so, stay warm Detroit.
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