Things to Do if You May Become Homeless in a Few Weeks
*If you may become homeless in a few weeks, one of the first things to do is to see if there are any prevention or assistance programs near you. Reading the sections called General Sources of Help and Things to Do if You May Become Homeless in a Few Days can assist you in finding those programs. Also review the on-line Community Resource Guide - Grand Traverse.
Other suggestions: Try not to panic. There are agencies, churches, and individuals in the community who can and will help you.
Remember that keeping a roof over your head is the most urgent need -- pay your rent first or at least pay SOMETHING to your landlord. Stay in contact with your landlord or bank. Do not avoid contact because you are embarrassed or hopeless about being able to pay. Routine conversation with your landlord or mortgage holder can make a big difference in whether or not you are evicted or foreclosed on.
If you have an eviction or a foreclosure notice, contact your social services (FIA) worker and Northwest Michigan Human Services Agency at 231-947-3780 for possible assistance.
Set aside some time to think of people that you can realistically turn to -- your children's school, family, friends, your pastor, or private foundations in your community (See General Sources of Help).
Is there anything that you can sell or any services that you can eliminate that will help prevent you becoming homeless or that can provide emergency funds if homelessness seems inevitable?
When working with social service agencies, you may be told that they do not have the funding right now to help. This does not mean they will not help you, it just means they can't do it right now. Ask when they expect to get funding and who else you may speak with. Ask if they know of any other agencies. Do not give up.
Money (Employment and Public Assistance): As soon as you see that there may be trouble with your employment (your hours are cut, you have no transportation to work, you are no longer physically able to do your job, you lost your daycare and can't find another), check with the your local social services agency (in Michigan, this is the Department of Human Services) to find out what benefits you may be eligible for. Some of those benefits may include: Food Stamps, cash assistance for parents or disabled individuals, health care (Medicaid or State Medical), child daycare assistance, or emergency funds. Click here for contact information for Grand Traverse County DHS Department of Human Services. Families may also be eligible for WIC (Women, Infants, and Children Program). In this emergency situation, do not let preconceived ideas of "welfare" stop you from receiving benefits that may keep you and your family from becoming homeless.
If you are still employed and your car needs repair, get an estimate and contact your FIA caseworker, your church or other local churches and/or other agencies for assistance with the repair cost. Potential assistance other than FIA: the Father Fred Foundation (231-947-2055, 826 Hastings Street, Traverse City, MI -- 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Tue-Fri), Love in Christ (231-941-5683).
If you are employed and your car cannot be repaired, contact your Department of Human Services caseworker or apply for a Workers on Wheels (WOW) car. Contact Goodwill Industries at 231-922-4805 and ask for the WOW coordinator.
If you lose your job, apply for unemployment even if you think that you are not eligible. In Michigan, click here for information on claiming unemployment benefits. If you are eligible, they may have a program to send you to school to learn new skills or to upgrade existing skills. If you become disabled, there are programs to help you. Contact Michigan Rehabilitation Services or the Vocational Case Manager at the Goodwill Inn (231-922-4890, extension 16) for information and assistance.
Food: There are many sources of assistance with food in your community. In the Greater Grand Traverse region, there are food banks, hot meals, Food Stamps, WIC, and Meals on Wheels programs. Look at the Food Sections of the Community Resource Guide - Grand Traverse.
Housing: There are several ways that you can receive help with applying for housing in the Greater Grand Traverse Region. If you have having difficulties with affording housing, you may contact the Goodwill Inn**. A case manager will provide you with a housing resource material and will schedule an appointment to assist you if necessary. Any application fees will be supplied by Goodwill. Similar services are available through the Northwest Michigan Human Services Agency (231-947-3780) and the Women's Resource Center (231-941-1210). You may also contact the Traverse City Housing Commission in Traverse City (231-922-4915) or SEE-CON in Bellaire, MI (231-377-7155) for Section 8 Rental Assistance.
* Adapted from National Coalition for the Homeless Website
** Housing services available through an agreement with Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan, Inc.
* These services are provided to Inn guests through an agreement with Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan, Inc.
Phone 231-922-4890. For directions to the Goodwill Inn, click here
