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Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) has been awarded the FY25 Michigan Veteran Homelessness Prevention Grant (MiVHPG) from the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA). This $250,000 grant will expand support for veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness across Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Lake, Mecosta, Midland, Newaygo, Osceola, and Saginaw Counties through September 30, 2028.

The grant assists Mid Michigan CAA in continuing its work to end veteran homelessness by providing immediate relief, sustainable housing solutions, and comprehensive case management services to at-risk veterans.
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The grant will help Mid Michigan CAA provide:

• Rental Assistance: Financial help for rent, security deposits, and overdue rent to keep veterans in their homes.
• Emergency Housing Assistance: Short-term housing for veterans, including motel stays, while finding stable housing.
• Landlord Incentives: Incentives to encourage landlords to lease to veterans, expediting access to permanent housing.

“Stable housing is a foundation for overall well-being, and we are honored to expand our services to meet the needs of veterans facing housing insecurity,” said Eva Rohlman, Outreach and Opportunities Director of Mid Michigan CAA. “This grant allows us to increase our reach, ensuring that veterans who served our country are supported with respect and dignity in their times of need.”

Mid Michigan CAA also creates personalized Housing Stability Plans with veterans to ensure lasting housing stability. The organization also leverages partnerships to make each dollar count, maximizing the impact of MVAA’s funding and ensuring that veterans receive holistic support.

If you are a veteran experiencing housing insecurity, please call or text Mid Michigan CAA at 877-213-5955 or email [email protected].

Mid Michigan Community Action invests in local solutions for individuals and families to improve their quality of life and achieve self-sufficiency. The agency offers housing, education, food, and veteran-specific support to foster resilient and thriving communities. Learn more at www.mmcaa.org.
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Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education, and community enrichment.

​On January 29, Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) will conduct the local annual Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. This survey, required by the federal government, counts how many people are homeless on a single night. This includes those sleeping outside, in places not meant for living, in shelters, or using emergency motel vouchers.

“The PIT Count is essential for understanding homelessness in our communities,” said Jennifer Rodgers, Homeless Program Manager at Mid Michigan CAA. “The data helps us get more resources, improve our services, and work towards ending homelessness.”

The data from the PIT Count is used by the Michigan Balance of State Continuum of Care and HUD to distribute funding and resources to homeless service agencies, including Mid Michigan CAA. Locally, the agency works with organizations like 2-1-1, Good Samaritan Rescue Mission in Bay City, Our Brother’s Keeper shelter in Big Rapids, New Dawn Shelter in Gladwin, Listening Ear, Youth Attention Center, RISE, Shelterhouse, and WISE.

How You Can Help: If you know of camps or people who are homeless, call or text 877-213-5955 to share their location so they can be counted.
People in Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties who are homeless can also call or text 877-213-5955 or email [email protected] for help. Services are also available for veterans in Lake, Newaygo, Midland, and Saginaw Counties.

For more information about the PIT Count, contact Jennifer Rodgers at [email protected].
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Mid Michigan Community Action helps local residents become self-sufficient through empowerment, education, and community support.

Mid Michigan Community Action (Mid Michigan CAA) is recognizing Homeless Awareness Month this November because everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home. Mid Michigan CAA has services available for individuals, families, youth, and veterans across Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties who are homeless. In addition, they provide support to veterans who are unhoused or at risk of homelessness in Lake, Newaygo, Midland, and Saginaw Counties.

Mid Michigan CAA helps unhoused people find solutions through emergency shelters, rapid rehousing, and permanent supportive housing. If you are experiencing housing insecurity, contact Mid Michigan CAA for support. Assistance is just a call or text away at 877-213-5955. You can also email [email protected] for resources.

“Our goal is to ensure that no one in our community feels alone or without options,” said Eva Rohlman, Outreach and Opportunities Director at Mid Michigan CAA. “Homeless Awareness Month reminds us to support safe, affordable housing for all of our neighbors.”

This November, Mid Michigan CAA encourages the community to learn more about homelessness and how they can get involved. Share your time and talents by volunteering. Donate to fund essential programs and services. Advocate for policies that address the root causes, like the rising cost of housing. Whether it’s through donations, volunteering, or advocacy, everyone has a role to play in ending homelessness.

For more information on Mid Michigan CAA’s programs and how to get involved, visit www.mmcaa.org or follow us on social media for updates throughout Homeless Awareness Month. Together, we can create a community where everyone has a place to call home.
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Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education, and community enrichment.

On January 25th Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) will be completing the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. The PIT Count is a federally mandated annual survey to count those experiencing homelessness in the Mid Michigan area.

Mid Michigan CAA is seeking to count individuals and families including those sleeping outdoors or other places not meant for human habitation such as cars or campers, those staying in shelters, and those who are housed with emergency motel stay vouchers.

“The PIT Count helps us better understand who is experiencing homelessness and how prevalent homelessness is in our communities so we can advocate for additional resources, provide high quality services, and end homelessness in our communities,” said Jennifer Rodgers, Homeless Program Manager at Mid Michigan CAA.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses the data collected to help determine distribution of resources to homeless services agencies, including Mid Michigan CAA. Mid Michigan CAA works with organizations including 211 Northeast Michigan, Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, Listening Ear, Michigan Balance of State Continuum of Care, New Dawn Shelter, Our Brothers Keeper Shelter, R.I.S.E., Shelterhouse, and WISE.

Residents of Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties who are experiencing homelessness can call or text 877-213-5955 or email [email protected].

For more information about the PIT Count, contact the PIT Coordinator, Jennifer Rodgers, at [email protected].

Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

Mid Michigan Community Action is accepting public comments as required by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on the proposed Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) plan from February 21, 2022- March 21, 2022.
 
The CSBG Plan summary is as detailed below:
 
A total of $600,009 will be allocated for the provision of comprehensive planning and coordinated services to eligible low-income persons in Muskegon and Oceana Counties. Services will include but are not limited to housing stability, home loss prevention, employment support, and material assistance vouchers. Services are to be provided over the course of the contract starting March 1, 2022 and ending September 30, 2022.
 
Individuals or organizations wanting to comment on or review the proposed plan should email [email protected] or call Eva Rohlman at 989-386-3805 ext. 1033 no later than 4:30 PM on March 21st. Materials are available in alternative formats by calling 989-386-3805 ext. 1033 or emailing [email protected]

Clare County has been awarded $13,323, and an additional $41,178 by the American Rescue Plan Act; Gladwin County has been awarded $10,025, and an additional $30,986 by the American Rescue Plan Act; Mecosta County has been awarded $16,680, and an additional $51,553 by the American Rescue Plan Act; and Osceola County has been awarded $9,212, and an additional $28,473 by the American Recovery Plan Act, from the Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Emergency Food and Shelter National Board Program to supplement emergency food and shelter programs in the county.

A Local Board is charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country. The Local Board will determine how the funds awarded to each county are to be distributed among the emergency food and shelter programs run by local service agencies in the area.

Under the terms of the grant from the National Board, local agencies chosen to receive funds must: 1) be private voluntary non-profits or units of government, 2) be eligible to receive Federal funds, 3) have an accounting system, 4) practice nondiscrimination, 5) have demonstrated the capability to deliver emergency food and/or shelter programs, and 6) if they are a private voluntary organization, have a voluntary board. Qualifying agencies are urged to apply.

Public or private voluntary agencies interested in applying for Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds must their local Board Chair.

Clare County: Cherri Swanstra, Clare County EFSP Board Chair, at [email protected] for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is February 28, 2022. The Local Board Meeting will be held on March 1, 2022 at 2:00pm via Zoom.

Gladwin County: Cherri Swanstra, Gladwin County EFSP Board Chair, at [email protected] for an application. The deadline for applications to be received is February 28, 2022. The Local Board Meeting will be held on March 1, 2022 at 1:00pm via Zoom.

Mecosta County: Diane Long, Mecosta County EFSP Board Co-Chair, at [email protected]. The deadline for applications to be received is February 28, 2022. The Local Board Meeting will be held on March 3, 2022 at 1:00pm via Zoom.

Osceola County: Malinda Coss, Osceola County EFSP Board Co-Chair, at [email protected]. The deadline for applications to be received is February 28, 2022. The Local Board Meeting will be held on March 3, 2022 at 2:00pm via Zoom.

Attendance for new applicants is required.

On January 26th Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) will be completing the Point-in-Time (PIT) Count. The PIT Count is a federally mandated annual survey to count those experiencing homelessness in the Mid Michigan area.

Mid Michigan CAA is seeking to count individuals and families including those sleeping outdoors or other places not meant for human habitation such as cars or campers, those staying in shelters, and those who are housed with emergency motel stay vouchers.

“The PIT Count helps us better understand who is experiencing homelessness and how prevalent homelessness is in our communities so we can advocate for additional resources, provide high quality services, and end homelessness in our communities,” said Jennifer Rodgers, Homeless Program Manager at Mid Michigan CAA. 

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses the data collected to help determine distribution of resources to homeless services agencies, including Mid Michigan CAA. Mid Michigan CAA works with organizations including 211, Michigan Balance of State Continuum of Care, and other local organizations.

Residents of Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness can call or text 877-213-5955 or email [email protected].

For more information about the PIT Count, contact the PIT Coordinator for your area
—Arenac: Ron Tyll, [email protected]
—Bay: Kathryn DePrekel, [email protected]
—Clare and Gladwin: Erin Rubingh, [email protected]
—Mecosta and Osceola: Nicole Alexander, 231-629-8033 or [email protected]

Mid Michigan Community Action guides local residents on the path to self-sufficiency through empowerment, education and community enrichment.

Mid Michigan Community Action Agency (Mid Michigan CAA) helps those experiencing housing insecurity with services ranging from temporary shelter to rental assistance.

Services are available for those who are experiencing homelessness or at risk of becoming homeless, including those who are in danger of losing their primary residence, fleeing domestic violence, staying with friends or family, living in a place considered uninhabitable, staying in a shelter, lacking a fixed residence, and more.

“Safe and affordable housing is a basic quality of life component,” said Eva Rohlman, Mid Michigan CAA Outreach Director. “With funding available to help in more circumstances than ever, we are proud to offer assistance to those experiencing housing insecurity to help them find a safe, stable place to call home.”

Over the last year, Mid Michigan CAA assisted 255 households who were unhoused or at risk of becoming homeless.

Residents of Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Mecosta, and Osceola Counties and veterans in Lake, Newaygo, Midland, and Saginaw Counties experiencing or at risk of homelessness can call or text 877-213-5955 or email [email protected].