Chapter 5: Local Housing Programs
This section will give you a brief overview of the many affordable housing programs in Oakland County. The information is divided into programs offered by local agencies that serve adults with mental illness.
Community Housing Network, Inc. Housing Programs
Community Housing Network (CHN) is non-profit community organization that promotes affordable housing for people with disabilities, low incomes, and those who may be homeless. CHN helps individuals and families find decent housing of their choice in the Oakland County community they want to live in.
Leasing Assistance Programs
CHN provides leasing assistance and accompanying supportive services through HUD grants. Applicants must be homeless and receive mental health services through OCCMHA. The person pays 30% of their monthly income for rent.
Shelter Plus Care
The Shelter Plus Care program provides 35 units of permanent supportive housing through the leasing of scattered site rental units to persons receiving mental health services who are homeless.
Homeownership Program
First-time homebuyers who are living in overpriced or substandard housing can become eligible to purchase their own homes through this program if they meet other criteria, such as having sufficient income, and having a disability or having a family member with a disability.
The program provides assistance in closing costs and down payment expenses. All homes are made affordable with homebuyer assistance programs and mortgage products. Preparation to become eligible for homeownership is provided, including credit and home buying counseling.
Contact:
Community Housing Network, Inc.
570 Kirts Blvd., Suite 231,Troy, MI 48084
Ph: 248-928-0111 Fax: 248-928-0122 Toll Free Number: 1-866-282-3119
Access the CHN Website at: http://www.communityhousingnetwork.org
Community Network Services, Inc. Housing Services and Programs
CNS will ensure that people are given opportunities to live in decent, safe and affordable housing that meets their short and long-term needs. The CNS Case Manager and Housing Specialist help consumers who are in need of housing assistance. They provide information about housing, explain options, figure out housing costs, assist with decision making, and provide transportation to locate housing.
Financial Assistance:
- Financial assistance by Path and Oakland Community Mental Health Residential Assistance Program is available to those consumers who meet their criteria.
- Supported Community Resources provides limited emergency financial assistance for one month's rent.
- CNS does not provide ongoing rent subsidies nor pays past due rent.
Contact:
Community Network Services Website: www.cnsmi.org
3855 Hills Tech Dr.
Farmington Hills, MI 48331
(248) 994-8001
#200 279 Summit Dr.
Waterford, MI 48328
(248) 994-8001
Common Ground Sanctuary Housing Programs
Common Ground Sanctuary is also an information and referral agency. In order to obtain Oakland County Community Mental Health Services, you must contact the Information Eligibility Line at 248-456-1991. Common Ground also has a crisis line number, available 24 hours a day, at 1-800-231-1127.
A Step Forward: 248.399.9795
Transitional living shelter for youths ages 16-20 who are homeless and seeking to live independently. The program includes case management, job training, career development, educational assistance, financial subsidies, medical assistance, and counseling. Clients are able to stay in the program for up to 18 months, during which time they are required to both work and pursue an education. During this time a majority of their income is saved in an account that they are given full access to once they leave the program.
Graduated Apartment Program (GAP): 248.399.9795
Provides apartments to homeless young people (aged 17-22), for up to two years. Clients pay 30 percent of the rent, maintain employment, and attend an educational career planning program. The program provides care, including skill development, peer mentoring, graduated monitoring/supervision and 24-hour staff availability. Individual counseling sessions are also required.
Contact Information:
Common Ground Sanctuary
1410 S. Telegraph, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Phone: 248-456-8150
Fax: 248-456-8147
Web citation: www.commongroundsanctuary.org
Easter Seals Michigan, Inc. Housing Services and Programs
Easter Seals Adult Mental Health Services employs a full time Housing Specialist, who links clients to appropriate housing in the community. Easter Seals DOES NOT maintain housing subsidies or housing stock. After all other possibilities have been exhausted and explored Easter Seals does maintain a limited fund to assist clients with emergency housing needs. These are accessed through the Housing Specialist. These are "One Time Only Funds".
Contact information:
Helen Manley, MSW, Housing Specialist, Easter Seals-Michigan
269 Summit Dr., Waterford, MI 48328
Phone: 248-451- 2900
hmanley@essmichigan.org
Lighthouse of Oakland County
Lighthouse provides immediate assistance in crisis situations and other services that support independence. Lighthouse Emergency Services has locations in Pontiac and Clarkston and responds to persons who have an immediate need for food, prescriptions, transportation, temporary shelter, and case management.
- Lighthouse PATH, provides a transitional housing program for homeless women and children.
- Lighthouse Community Development develops affordable housing for low to moderate income families.
Lighthouse of Oakland County, Inc.
46156 Woodward Avenue
Pontiac, Michigan 48342
248-920-6000
Web citation: www.lighthouseoakland.org
Training and Treatment Innovations, Inc. Housing Services and Programs
The Homeless Housing Services department provides housing assistance to Oakland County residents who have a disability (primarily a mental illness) and are either homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Examples of activities of Homeless Housing Services include: outreach services, housing search, housing counseling, housing acquisition, community based training, tenant-landlord mediation, transitional housing, subsidized housing, and financial assistance. All program applications are received from the clinical case worker and the primary core provider's housing specialist.
Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH)
PATH addresses the needs of individuals with mental illness in Oakland County who are either homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless. Activities of this program include case management and financial assistance. Financial assistance includes security deposits plus first months rent for consumers moving into housing, and arrearage payments for consumers who are housed, but are at risk of losing their home.
HUD Housing Leasing Assistance Program
HUD Leasing Assistance is a federal grant program that provides housing assistance to Oakland County residents with mental illness and who are experiencing housing difficulties. Consumers contribute 30% of their monthly income toward the cost of their housing.
Shelter Plus Care (SPC)
Shelter Plus Care is designed to provide subsidized housing and intensive support for homeless people with disabilities as they seek more permanent subsidized housing such as Section 8.
Muir Street - MSHDA "My Home"
The Muir Street 4-plex provides two one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units to individuals with disabilities. Units are rented out on a subsidized basis.
Housing Assistance Program (HAP)
HAP is funded by OCCMHA. Individuals served by this program must be receiving case management services from an Oakland County Community Mental Health agency. There are four parts to the Housing Assistance Program:
- Rental Assistance/Subsidy - This program helps pay the rent for people receiving OCCMHA services while they seek long-term subsidized housing. The consumer pays 40% of their monthly income for rent.
- Transitional Housing - Both Young Adult (age 18 to 26) and Adult (age 18 or older) transitional housing provides a short term housing stay of 90 days while the person seeks more permanent housing. All persons must be receiving services from an OCCMHA agency.
- Security Deposit & Emergency Fund Services - This program provides assistance in paying a security deposit and in paying a limited amount for housing related emergency expenses such as 1st month's rent, rental arrearage, utility arrearage, or moving expenses.
TTI Contact Information
Oxford (Main / Administrative) Office Phone: (248) 969-9932
Madison Heights (ACT & Housing)
1420 E. Fourteen Mile Rd., Madison Heights, MI 48071
Phone: 248-524-8801
ACT Phone: 248-524-8825
Website: www.ttinc.org