Our Work

Building a Strategy to End Homelessness

PPA has provided strategic consultation and staff support to launch and sustain Michigan’s Campaign to End Homelessness. PPA is supporting the work of a multi-agency leadership team and helping to create a landscape that promotes regional collaboration and maximizes the impact of limited public and private resources. The Campaign represented a fundamental shift in the strategy of addressing homelessness. It focuses on prevention, rapid rehousing, and supportive services.

Background:  The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) committed itself to be the nation's first statewide Campaign to End Homelessness in 2006.  It recognized the need to house the state’s homeless and to halt additional homelessness.  MSHDA sought to foster new partnerships and innovation, as well as to encourage systems improvement and greater accountability.

PPA's Role: PPA's staff were involved in helping to facilitate discussion at the outset of the Campaign among key stakeholders.  PPA has also provided support to five state-level workgroups that were formed to address specific issues, such as income supports, housing assistance, training, technology, and communication.  The cross-agency, public-private leadership group, also facilitated by PPA, has grown over the past several years and developed a strong, dedicated partnership.

The Campaign features eight regional councils that promote communications and collaboration among local Continuum of Care bodies.  The regions also serve as an important link to state-level leaders.  PPA provides technical support for the operation of the eight regional councils as needed, and helps the Campaign's leadership team address strategic issues.

In addition, PPA created and implements a communications strategy for the Campaign. That includes helping to produce a monthly eNewsletter and press releases. It also convenes workgroup members, regional leaders, and state leaders bi-annually for in-depth discussion.

Results: Michigan became the first state in the nation to have 10-year regional plans for ending homelessness covering the entire state. The Campaign has been effective in ending homelessness for thousands of Michigan families and individuals through the strategic application of housing vouchers, leveraging state and local resources, promoting public and elected officials’ understanding of homelessness, and increasing access to benefits and services.

Services provided:

Strategic consultation

Focus groups

Secondary analysis of existing databases

Expert facilitation

Additional Information: For more about the Campaign, please visit:  www.thecampaigntoendhomelessness.org/