2018 Annual Report

opening doors for people in our communities

Housing Assitance

• 205 homeless households
• 199 households facing evictions
• 282 relocations
• 19 households facing foreclosure
• 16 households facing tax foreclosure
• 32 supportive housing households
• 213 offender success households
• 103 Section 8 Mainstream Voucher households

Revenue and Support

• Program Expenses: $1,767,510
• Management & General Expenses: $63,731
• Fundraising Expenses: $317
• End of Year Net Asset Balances: $449,634
  Total Revenue & Other Supports: $1,838,906

State of Homelessness

• In 2018 there were 603 people who were literally homeless in Eaton County and 132 people who were homeless in Clinton County. This number does not include people who were couch surfing or staying with friends or family.
• These number represent a decline from 2017’s numbers
• During 2018, children accounted for nearly 19% of Eaton’s and almost 39% of Clinton’s homeless population
• Women made up well over half (62%) of the literally homeless population in Eaton and Clinton counties.
• National homeless numbers rose again in 2018, up 0.3% from 2017

Letter from the Director

Dear Friends,
During this past year we had several great things happen. We held a “Community Conversation on Homelessness” in Clinton County to educate the general public on this issue. AgroLiquid graciously offered the use of their conference area with over 50 people in attendance. Guest speakers included Mark Criss, City Rescue Mission; Sophia Estrada-Ferreria, Gateway Homeless Youth Services; Karen Leif, Beacon of Hope; Shelly Safi, Safe Center and myself. The event was viewed positively and we believe we raised awareness about the topic.
We successfully held our first annual giving campaign at the end of 2018 and hopefully set a new “friend and fundraising” standard to be used for many years to come. This campaign culminated from a Capacity Building grant from the Capital Region Community Foundation which helped us with the selection of a fundraising data base platform.
The First Congregational Youth Group, Charlotte raised nearly $1200 for us and we held our first trivia night at the Eaton Pub in Charlotte! Thanks to all our friends for your support.
In the fall, we were notified of an award for 28 new Mainstream Section 8 Vouchers. This new windfall came after a nearly 15-year period where the government (HUD) did not make these funds available for applications. The recipients of these vouchers are all disabled, non-elderly residents of both Eaton and Clinton counties and nearly $15,000 in rental assistance goes out each month to area landlords to make housing affordable for these participants.
Our street outreach program, PATH, continues to find homeless persons on the streets, in abandoned buildings and in their cars. Persons found living in their car increased significantly this year. Trend? We will watch and see.
On a personal note, I got married in June! So, if you see Denise Cornelius on our materials-that’s me!
Great things are happening!
Blessings to you and yours,
Denise

News and Events

Mainstream Voucher Program Expansion

2018 saw the expansion of our Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher program, headed by Charlene Smith. 28 vouchers were added, for a new total of 103 vouchers.
HSMM was able to place 9 of these new vouchers in Clinton County. These vouchers are awarded to persons with verifiable disabilities. Most often, SSI ($750/mth in 2018!) and/or SSDI are the only sources of income for these people. The community is well -served by this program, as these apartments are regularly inspected to insure compliance with HUD’s HQS policies. In addition, nearly $50,000 per month in rents are paid directly to community landlords. We look forward to continuing the expansion of this vital program!

Project Resource Connect

In 2018, the Eaton County Continuum of Care held its 11th annual Project Resource Connect (PRC) event at the First Lutheran Church in Charlotte. HSMM’s AmeriCorps member, Mikayla Bower, took the lead on coordinating the event. PRC is a grant-funded “one-stop shop” for those in our community who are homeless or who are low-income, to help them in gaining access to resources for housing, health, and employment. This January event was able to assist over 100 participants. The event hosted 21 agencies, including SIREN/Eaton Shelter, the Eaton County Health Department, CACS, Peckham, Inc., and many others. They offered housing information and referrals, employment search assistance, and interview tips, as well as a free lunch. Each guest also received a gift bag of personal care items such as soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and razors. Clothing, including winter coats, were available for all members of the family. Next year’s PRC will be held on Thursday, August 8th at the First Baptist Church in Charlotte, in conjunction with the Eaton Clothing Center’s “Back to School” event.

PSH Comes to Clinton County

2018 marked the creation of 9 permanent supportive housing units in Clinton County. PSH is intended to assist single persons and families who are homeless and have a documented disability. The program uses a Housing First model to eliminate barriers and preference is given to persons who meet HUD’s definition of chronic homelessness. The PSH case manager works with the coordinated entry process/HARA staff and the client to locate housing and then provides long-term case management, on-going rental assistance, and assures adequate supportive services for the client. The PSH program uses a client-centered approach to assist clients in developing personalized goals by making referrals to agencies and groups who can provide additional resources.

The Mission of Housing Services Mid Michigan is to assist low to moderate income individuals and families fulfill their need for affordable, safe, and sanitary housing through the participation in federal, state, and local programs and services. Through coordination of such programs, and local providers, Housing Services Mid Michigan will strive to provide a “contiuum of care” approach to better serve the diverse needs of program participants and encourage economic self-sufficiency.

-Mission Statement

$ 8,419

Year End Giving

$ 624

Restaurant Fundraisers

Families 34

Adopted for the Holidays

$ 23,455

Total Amount Raised

2018’s Invaluable Sponsors and Donors

Agroliquid, St. Johns

Amazon Smile

Archer Financial LLC

Auto-Owners Insurance, Nancy Bulling

Auto- Owners Insurance, Alissa Harshman

Balanced Health Chiropractic Center

Richard Ballard

Sheri Barnhart

William and Danita Brandt

Lan Bulliner

Capitol Communications Systems

Jill and Jason Cates

Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

Jennifer Cameron Cogan

Denise Cornelius

Sherri Crandell

Kalli Dempsey

Sandra Dennis

Donna Dickert

Dornbos Signs, Inc.

Eaton Federal Savings Bank

The Eaton Place/Eaton Pub & Grille

Eric Rogers, LLC

First Congregational Church, Eaton Rapids

Flagstar Foundation

Charlotte F.O.E., #3552 Auxiliary 

First Congregational Church, Charlotte

Lisa Gottlieb-Kinnaird

Linda Henderson

Elly Hendrick

Sandy Hennings

Susan Hoffman

Nancy Holderread

Hope Landing

Inspired Concepts, LLC, Levi Martin

Patricia Irwin

Cathleen Johnson

Knights of Columbus Council of 7311, Grand Ledge

MacDowell’s, Grand Ledge

Mark’s Place, Eaton Rapids

Moose Lodge 2565, Charlotte

Carol Monero

Sharleen Moyer

New Hope Community Church, Charlotte

Olivet College Cheer Team, Lisa Ash

Matthew Oppenheim

Neisha Reid

REmax Home Advantage, Dave REynolds

Carole Reynaert

Robert Robinson

Pat Rockhill

St. John’s Lutheran Church, St. Johns

St. Joseph Catholic Church, St. Johns

Saints Church of Jesus Christ, Charlotte

Jennifer Shrader

Dawn Sollid

State Farm Insurance, Bob Wilson

Tri County Electric People Fund

Diane Warren

Windwalker Underground Gallery

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