Project Profile:

Michigan State Housing Development Authority, Continuum of Care

This partnership between the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) was a first for both organizations. Its intent was to help address homelessness issues. It presented an important opportunity to assist local communities in providing a safety net for those coping with homelessness and built support for homelessness prevention in Michigan.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority committed $1,000,000 to work with CMF members on homelessness prevention projects with distribution to local Continuum of Care/community foundation partnerships. The goal of this pilot program was to enhance homelessness prevention services that are reflective of local realities and responsive to local needs.

MSHDA’s funds were dedicated to supporting direct costs of prevention activities and programs as identified by the county Continuum of Care committees. These funds were matched by community foundations and used to create new, or enhance existing, permanently endowed homelessness prevention and emergency service funds.

• Over $1 million in initial challenge grant funds

• Public-private partnership to build support for homelessness prevention in Michigan that were reflective of local realities and responsive to local needs