01/24/2023

Michigan Legislature Allocates Historic $6M in Funding for Supportive Housing Services

State Senator Jeff Irwin, CSH, and state service and housing providers partner to pave the way for unprecedented funding.

The Michigan Legislature appropriated a historic $6 Million in its FY23 budget to expand supportive housing services. The state allocated the funds to the Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS), which will distribute the funds to five eligible agencies through the PSH Supportive Services Pilot. MDHHS announced a solicitation for letters of intent to apply for the funding by February 24, 2023.

CSH worked closely with state Senator Jeff Irwin’s office, along with supportive housing providers in Michigan and the Michigan Interagency Council on Homelessness, to advocate for the funding.

"Supportive Housing models across the country have proven that when people are stably housed, they are happier and healthier. As a result, we see fewer people in crisis in our emergency rooms, jails, and community mental health services,” Sen. Irwin said. "Michigan's investment in supportive housing will improve peoples' lives and saves us money long-term.” 

The funds will boost services for people living in supportive housing who need additional assistance to maintain stability and currently homeless individuals moving into supportive housing.

Numerous examples in Michigan and across the nation demonstrate that a more significant public investment in high-quality support services paired with affordable housing can reduce unnecessary institutionalization and trauma for people experiencing homelessness. Michigan already implements high-quality physical and behavioral healthcare for those in need, and this funding will increase the capacity for supportive services.

“The state’s investment is following a trend among other jurisdictions and a growing acknowledgment that supportive housing services have been underfunded for many years. An abundance of rigorous data show that sufficient and ongoing support services funding can reduce long-term homelessness, improve lives, and reduce overall public costs. There is a significant return on investment,” said Catherine Distelrath, Director, CSH Michigan.

CSH has a long history of collaboration in Michigan, advancing work to bring supportive housing to scale for people experiencing homelessness and placed in institutional settings. Looking to the future, and using this allocation of $6M from the state legislature as an energizing force, CSH is working with partners to secure an additional $20M for supportive housing services over the next 2 years.

“CSH has an enduring history in the state, and we thank our partners for their collaboration, support, energy, and time advocating for the funding needed to advance supportive housing,” said Deborah De Santis, President and CEO, of CSH. “This historic investment by the governor and state legislature is a promising step to solving homelessness and cultivating our collective aspirations as a nation, namely that everyone has a safe, quality home where they can live and thrive.”

To receive a copy of the request for letters of intent, please email MDHHS-Homeless@michigan.gov. Service providers interested in applying may attend an informational webinar on Friday, January 27, 2023 at 10:30 AM or submit questions to MDHHS-Homeless@michigan.gov

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About CSH

The Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH) is the national champion for supportive housing, demonstrating its potential to improve the lives of very vulnerable individuals and families by helping communities create more than 385,000 real homes for people who desperately need them. CSH funding, expertise and advocacy have provided $1.5billion in direct loans and grants for supportive housing across the country. Building on 30 years of success developing multiple and cross-sector partnerships, CSH engages broader systems to fully invest in solutions that drive equity, center people and communities, and promote quality to generate concrete and sustainable results. By aligning affordable housing with services and other sectors, CSH helps communities move away from crisis, optimize their public resources, and ensure a better future for everyone. Visit us at www.csh.org.

Media Contact: 
Jesse Dean
Jesse.dean@csh.org

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