Coalition to End Homelessness / Shelter Subcommittee
Purpose
Working to end homelessness in the Greater Grand Rapids area by increasing homeless prevention, coordinating support services and ensuring access to affordable, quality, permanent housing..
Facts
- Affordable Housing Data:
- In Kent County, 44% of renters can’t afford a two bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent ($746/mo).
- Housing plus transportation costs force 84,000 households in eight West Michigan counties to live in unaffordable areas.
- A two-bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent takes a $14.40 per hour wage in Kent County forcing minimum wage earners to work 1.9 full-time jobs (78 hours per week).
- Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) 2010 data shows:
- 4,911 people experienced homelessness.
- 45% of these people were homeless for the first time.
- 59% were single individuals; 41% were in families.
- 20% of those served were children.
2010-2011 Accomplishments
- The central intake, Housing Assessment Program, referred 3,127 households for homeless prevention, re-housing or one-time rent assistance services.
- Allocated more than $5 million to the local homeless/housing crisis response system.
- Expanded data coverage in HMIS to 18 agencies and 44 programs.
- Launched the Roofs to Roots Campaign linking affordable housing and homelessness to increase community awareness, impact policy and expand resources.
2011-2012 Agenda
- Launch an outcome indicator framework to impact service coordination across the homeless system.
- Develop a housing policy platform presenting priority goals to local and state decision makers.
- Increase funding for homeless prevention, rapid re-housing and rent assistance.
- Develop a consolidated funding allocation process.
- Start work on at least 40 new Permanent Supportive Housing units for chronically homeless people.
Contact
Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness
1215 East Fulton
Grand Rapids, MI 49503
Phone: (616) 459-9468 x1340
Fax: (616) 459-5372
Website: www.roofstoroots.org
