Mission
To address the housing and support services needs of individuals and families along the continuum of care from homelessness to permanent housing.
Vision
All individuals and families who are homeless or are at risk of homelessness in St. Clair County will have access to safe, decent, affordable housing and the resources and supports necessary to sustain it.
Workgroup Goals
- Raise community awareness about homelessness in St. Clair County.
- Collaborate to reduce homelessness in the region.
- Re-evaluate and update the St. Clair County Strategic Action Plan to End Homelessness in coordination with various federal, state, and local requirements.
Identified Gap: A shortage of affordable housing options for individuals and families struggling with homelessness remains a significant barrier.
2024 Collaborative Accomplishments
Point in Time Count:
- Conducted the annual count on January 31, 2024 identifying 186 homeless individuals (155 adults, 31 children and 18 families).
- Conducted a Summer Point in Time Count on July 31, 2024 identifying 137 homeless individuals (104 adults, 33 children and 22 families).
Housing Assistance Resource Agency (HARA):
- Expended all the Federal COVID Relief Funding allocated between 2020 and 2023.
- In FY 24, screened 183 families, totaling 217 adults and 176 children and responded to 1,366 calls from homeless individuals and 991 calls from people who were facing eviction.
Community Resource Fair:
- Held the 16th annual event in person on May 8, 2024 at St. Clair County Community College, with 340 people that registered and took advantage of meeting with 73 different vendors in the areas of medical, legal, counseling, housing, children and senior services, and hygiene products.
- Approximately 959 household members benefited from the food truck.
- Mid City Nutrition provided a bag lunch to 500 participants, volunteers, vendors and college staff.
- Planning is underway for the next fair on May 14, 2025.
Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG):
- Received $209,267 from Michigan State Housing Development Authority for FY 24 to support HARA services, emergency shelters, rapid rehousing, and prevention. The FY 25 award increased to $219,980 reflecting performance achievements.
Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week:
- Conducted awareness campaigns from November 17-23, 2024, to engage the community on homelessness issues.
Strategic Planning:
- The Workgroup’s 2023-2025 Strategic Plan to End Homeless is reviewed and updated at each meeting.
Chair: Kathleen Swantek, Blue Water Developmental Housing, Inc.
Support Staff: SCC Hara & Vonda Willey, BWDH Interagency Service Team
2025 Meeting Calendar
Meetings are hybrid and held on the second Wednesday of every other month 1:30 – 3:30 pm.
- January 8, 2025
- March 12, 2025
- May 14, 2025 *Community Resource Fair at SC4
- July 9, 2025
- September 10, 2025
- November 12, 2025
Resources