Homelessness is a persistent concern around the world, and in 2024, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development noted record highs in homelessness for all populations. In Oakland County, 1,254 people, representing 894 households identified as homeless in the last year, according to the Alliance for Housing of Oakland County. 

If you or a loved one is experiencing homelessness, these community partners are available to help. Sign up at shelteroakland.com to find an accommodation and be notified about availability at shelters in Oakland County.

Local Shelters and Resources

Baldwin Center: Provides walk-up or drive-through meals, clothing vouchers, laundry facilities, showers, and hygiene products. In partnership with Oakland County Health and Human Services and other community partners, the Baldwin Center hosts Wellness Wednesdays to connect people to free health, housing, employment resources and a meal.

Community Housing Network: Oakland County’s designated Housing Assessment and Resource Agency, connecting people to emergency housing as well as programs for affordable housing, housing assistance and homeownership education, including: 

• Housing Resource Center is a one-stop shop to help people with housing needs. 

• Homeless Street Outreach (PATH) provides housing services and physical/mental/ substance use treatments for people who are “on-the-street homeless” and have a serious mental illness. 

• Rapid Rehousing offers short- to medium-term rental assistance and case management services for people experiencing homelessness and/or fleeing domestic violence or human trafficking 

• Permanent Supportive Housing provides long-term housing with wraparound services for people with disabilities and chronic health conditions who have experienced homelessness. 
• Homeless Prevention offers short-term financial assistance and case management services for people who are at risk of becoming homeless
  

Grace Centers of Hope: Offers Life Skills programs, which include housing, daily meals, personal hygiene kits, clothing, education and career development, childcare, case management, financial planning, and bible study and church services.

HAVEN: Helps survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual assault and their children with housing resources and other support services such as counseling and financial assistance.

HOPE Shelters: Serves adults and offers “low-barrier” emergency shelter (no ID/ sobriety/ background check) and recuperative shelter (nurse-provided patient monitoring and education). HOPE operates on a first-come, first-served basis with intake beginning at 5 p.m. every night. Guests who stayed at the shelter the previous night are accepted first, then new guests if beds are available. HOPE provides three meals, hygiene kits, clothing and a storage bin.

• 248-499-7345
• hopeshelters.org 

Lighthouse: Serves families with children and provides up to 90 days of emergency housing, daily meals and a case manager to help with rehousing and additional resources. All guests will have background checks completed before entry. Lighthouse cannot admit households with people who have committed criminal sexual conduct or violent felonies within the last five years.

OLHSA: Offers emergency housing and utility assistance, home buying, weatherization and home repairs, and mortgage and property tax delinquency.

Welcome Inn Day Center: Provides adults with a low-barrier day center and overnight shelter with churches. Summer Outreach offers showers and breakfast on Wednesdays from 8-10 a.m. The Winter Shelter runs from December 2025- March 2026 and provides three meals, overnight accommodations, basic health screenings from volunteer nurses and a case manager to connect guests with more resources.

More Oakland County resources are available at oakgov.com/community/resources. For additional help, from rent assistance to food, dial 211 or visit www.211.org/about-us/your-local-211.  

If you are in danger, please call 911 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233 or text START to 88788.

Oakland County Resources

Oakland Connects: Guides residents to health, transportation and housing resources in the county. Certified community health workers provide free, personalized assistance to residents or people working in Oakland County.

• oakgov.com/oaklandconnects
• 800-848-5533
• oakconnects@oakgov.com

Neighborhood & Housing Development Division: Supports strong, sustainable and thriving communities through quality affordable housing, community development, human services, and economic opportunities, such as: 

• Preventing homelessness: Connect with other agencies for potential help paying rent, utilities and security deposits 

• Preventing mortgage or property tax foreclosure: Understand your options if you’re having trouble paying your mortgage or property taxes. HUD-certified housing counselors can assist with understanding your options, applying through your servicer for mortgage assistance, and referral and application help with other programs that can help bring your mortgage current. 

• Home repairs, subsidized housing, and rental assistance for low to moderate income households: Determine if you qualify for programs that can help with repairs, accessibility or affordability 

• Reverse mortgages for those 62+: See if you are a good candidate for a reverse mortgage to free up equity built up in your home. 

• Credit and budget issues: Review your credit report and scores and create an improvement plan, review your savings, and create and maintain a household budget 

• Home-buying process: Discover everything involved when buying a home, no matter where you are in the process 

• Tenant rights and responsibilities: Learn about security deposits, leases, maintenance and affordability 

• Housing discrimination: Receive help filing a complaint if you feel discriminated against when seeking housing financing or house/ rental hunting. 

Contact Oakland County Neighborhood & Housing Development Division:

• oakgov.com/nhd
• 248-858-0493
• nhd@oakgov.com

Oakland County is committed to ending homelessness through prevention by providing housing services. Oakland County provided the Alliance for Housing with funding for emergency shelter expansion, which helped 307 people last winter. Oakland County and the Alliance for Housing are working on the Shelter Capacity Program to address overflow. Additionally, the Oakland County Neighborhood & Housing Development Division has distributed more than 580 Empowerment Coats, which convert into sleeping bags, since December 2024. 

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