When you enter the shelter system, you'll get assessed by a HARA housing specialist. Depending on your house vulnerability score, you may be prioritized for a housing placement.

homeless shelter coordinators

• detroit — CAM Detroit, 313-305-0311

• out-county wayne — Wayne Metro, 313-388-9799

• oakland — Community House Network, 248-269-1335

• macomb — Macomb Homeless Coalition, 586-213-5757

• mich — Michigan HARA List

If you are couch-surfing, consider making the arrangement formal. Be creative about what you can offer as payment, eg. housekeeping, yardwork, snow removal, handiwork, or running errands. This way you’re giving something valuable to the owner. We recommend putting the arrangement in writing.

Vouchers pay a portion of your rent directly to any landlord that accepts them. Each agency runs its own voucher program. Call MSHDA, DHC, and any other agency located in a city you’d want to live in and ask to be put on their voucher waitlist.

public housing agencies

• detroit — Detroit Housing Commission, 313-877-8807, apply online

• mich — MSDHA, 313-456-3560

• other local — List of public housing agencies in MI

• 1-on-1 help — List of rental counselling agencies in MI

Some apartment building have income-based rent as well. You have to call each apartment building to see if they have any vacancies and apply through them.

low income housing

• mich — Michigan's Affordable Rental Housing Directory

• usa — HUD's Nationwide Directory of Affordable Housing

• 1-on-1 help — List of rental counselling agencies in MI

free lawyer, info

• detroit — UCHC, 313-963-3310; Michigan Legal Services, 313-964-4130; Lakeshore Legal Aid, 888-783-8190 or apply online

• oakland, macomb — Lakeshore Legal Aid, 888-783-8190 or apply online

• washtenaw — LSSCM, 734-665-6181

legal information, know your rights

• mich — Lakeshore Legal Aid, 888-783-8190 or apply online

• info — MSU Law's practical guide, our favorite resource

• info — Michigan Legal Help

• law — Landlord & Tenant Relationships Act, Court Rules (4.201-.202), and Benchbook

• law, covid — Summary of Coronavirus-related CARES Act protections

cash assistance for eviction diversion program

• detroit — Southwest Solutions, 313-963-6601

• wayne — Wayne Metro, 734-284-6999

• oakland — Community House Network, 248-269-1335

• macomb — Macomb Homeless Coalition, 586-213-5757

• mich — Michigan HARA List

other cash assistance programs for rent or utilities

• mich — MDHHS "State Emergency Relief", 855-275-6424, online, in-person, paper, get help applying

• mich — United Way, 211, call the location first because sometimes the information listed is dated

• mich, utility — THAW, 800-866-8429

• se mich, water — Wayne Metro, 313-388-9799

This is a very complicated area of law with many overlapping relief programs. We highly recommend you talk to a lawyer to understand all your options as soon as possible.

free lawyer, legal info

• detroit — UCHC, 313-963-3310; Michigan Legal Services, 313-964-4130; Lakeshore Legal Aid, 888-783-8190 or apply online

• mich — Lakeshore Legal Aid, 888-783-8190 or apply online

• info — MI Dept of Treasury Tax Guide

• info — Michigan Legal Help

reduce or eliminate your property taxes

• money, mich — Step Forward, 866-946-7432, application

• reduce, detroit — City of Detroit, homeowner property tax assistance (application), senior property tax deferred payment, senior solid waste fee discount, and disabled veterans exemption

• reduce, wayne — Wayne County Treasurer programs

• reduce, mich — Appeal a tax assessment (detroit), Apply for a principal residence exemption (PRE)

• reduce, mich — Contact your local and county governments to see what programs they have

This is a very complicated area of law with many overlapping programs. We therefore highly recommend you talk to a lawyer to understand all your options as soon as possible.

free lawyer, legal info

• detroit — UCHC, 313-963-3310; Michigan Legal Services, 313-964-4130; Lakeshore Legal Aid, 888-783-8190 or apply online

• mich — Lakeshore Legal Aid, 888-783-8190 or apply online

• info — Michigan Legal Help

• info, covid — CFPB's Summary of Coronavirus-related CARES Act options

• counselor, oakland — Oakland County Treasurer's Office, 248-858-0627

• counselor, mich — Michigan list of HUD's housing counseling agencies

cash assistance to stay in your home

• money, mich — Step Forward, 866-946-7432, application

• reduce, mich — Contact your local and county governments to see what programs they have

MSHDA has a lot of programming to help you become a homeowner, from credit repair to home loans and down payment assistance. Click here to learn more.

The Affordable Care Act ("ACA") allowed Michigan expanded Medicaid to more poor people and offers middle-income citizens a subsidy so that they can buy private health insurance.

health insurance options

• free — MDHHS "Medicaid", 855-275-6424, online, in-person, paper, get help applying

• subsized — HealthCare.gov, 800-318-2596

Even if you don't have health insurance, the Affordable Care Act ("ACA") created community health centers that offer medical services on a sliding scale based on income. Lack of money won't be a barrier to you maintaining your health.

community health centers

• detroit — Popoff Family Health, 313-824-1000

• detroit — CHASS, 313-849-3920

• detroit — DCHC, 313-822-0900

• detroit — HUDA Clinic, 313-865-8446

• usa — findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov

There are numerous resources for people who need help addressing their mental health, substance abuse issues, and managing your emotions.

resources

• detroit + wayne — DWMHA, 800-241-4949

• oakland — Oakland Co CMH, 248–464-6363

• macomb — Macomb Co CMH, 586-307-9100

• mich — MSDHA Map of CMHs

• usa — SAMHSA.gov, 800-662-4357

If you’re in crisis, there are options available to help you cope. This resources is confidential and available 24/7.

national suicide prevention hotline

• hotline — 800-273-8255, available 24/7

• chat — Chat, available 24/7

• local — Directory of local crisis centers

• mich — MSDHA Map of CMHs

• usa — SAMHSA.gov, 800-662-4357

Just 15 minutes a day of brisk walking can add 3 years to your life, reduce your risk of death by 14%, and improve mental health.

physical exercises

• walk — a daily 15-minutes brisk walk, we love this one so much, we do it ourselves

• easy — Choosemyplate.gov, click for a list of options

• yoga — Yoga for Beginners

• yoga —30 Day Yoga Journey

Simple mental exercises have been proven to improve brain functioning, lower blood pressure, and help people lose weight.

mental exercises

• mindfulness — Greater Good in Action, videos

• mindfulness — Tryhealthyminds.org, smartphone app

• gratitude — Mindful.org, guide to practicing

• declutter — Decluttering Tips, video

resources

• registration — Secretary of State, online, in-person, by mail

• know your rights — Michiganvoting.org

resources

• skill — Wellcast, video, pdf

Some ideas: do errands for an elderly person; cleaning up a local park; walk the dog of a disabled neighbor; compliments a stranger who looks like they are having a bad day; etc…

Chances are you know you people who could benefit from the resources in this Action Plan. Email or text them about this Action Plan, which is available at streetdemocracy.org/actionplan.

Apologies are good for both parties, but it can be really hard to apologize because it requires humility, acceptance of blame, and a willingness to change. Learn how to make a good one.

resources

• skill — Greater Good in Action, webpage, video

• skill — Wellcast, video, pdf

Group volunteer activity is a great way to give back because you are improving your local community while you are developing new relationships with other civically-minded people. Given this current health crisis, please be mindful of your health and whether you are able to safety participate in this activity.

resources

• usa — Volunteermatch.org, search here for local opportunities