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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 homeless@mmcaa.org.

For more information about the PIT Count, contact the PIT Coordinator, Jennifer Rodgers, at jrodgers@mmcaa.org.

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 contactus@mmcaa.org 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 contactus@mmcaa.org

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 cswanstra@mmcaa.org 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 cswanstra@mmcaa.org 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 br@projectstarburst.org. 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 Malinda.Coss@usc.salvationarmy.org. 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 homeless@mmcaa.org.

For more information about the PIT Count, contact the PIT Coordinator for your area
—Arenac: Ron Tyll, rtyll@mmcaa.org
—Bay: Kathryn DePrekel, kathryn.deprekel@mclaren.org
—Clare and Gladwin: Erin Rubingh, erubingh@listeningear.com
—Mecosta and Osceola: Nicole Alexander, 231-629-8033 or obkexecutivedirector@gmail.com

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 homeless@mmcaa.org.