Help for People Experiencing Homelessness in Oakland County

scissors cutting through paper with the word "homeless" written on it

Although Oakland County has a strong economy and many resources, there are still residents that are forced to choose between necessities like buying food, paying rent, or going to the doctor. At any given time, there may be approximately 1,200 persons experiencing literal homelessness, residing on the street, in a shelter, a place not meant for habitation, or in transitional housing. The Oakland County Neighborhood and Housing Development Division works closely with community partners to help those on the brink of or actively experiencing homelessness.

Homeless Services

Some traditional “helpful” actions may disqualify individuals from receiving assistance from established programs; therefore, connecting the person to local organizations instead of giving them money directly (i.e., paying for hotel nights, creating GoFundMe accounts, etc.) is the best way to help. Remember to be cautious about sharing anyone’s personal stories and details on social media accounts. Volunteering and/or donating to a local agency that works with unhoused persons is always helpful.

Emergency Services Grant (ESG) funded emergency shelters in Oakland County served more than 1,000 homeless adults and children last year. Support is given to area homeless shelter providers for operations, maintenance, and essential services. You can support persons experiencing homelessness through trusted community partners.

For additional support, call 2-1-1 and Oakland County Health Division’s Nurse On Call.

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Share the Bounty with Forgotten Harvest

Volunteers pack food at the Forgotten Harvest Warehouse

You can help to ensure that every family has food on the table this holiday season by donating surplus prepared and perishable food to Forgotten Harvest. Founded 27 years ago in Metro Detroit, Forgotten Harvest has grown to become the largest and most efficient food rescue organization in the United States.

Forgotten Harvest’s charitable footprint is massive in scale. The organization covers 2,000 square miles, distributing millions of pounds of food to 250 emergency food providers in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. Last year, Forgotten Harvest rescued 45 million pounds of food that would have been otherwise wasted. Each pound represents a meal enjoyed by community members in need.

 

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Volunteer & Be Part of Forgotten Harvest’s Rescue Team

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Be a part of Forgotten Harvest’s mission to end hunger by volunteering your time. Forgotten Harvest accommodates groups, families, and individuals, and offers many different ways to help. Did you know they need up to sixty volunteers every day, six days of the week? With so many volunteer opportunities available, you’ll have no problem finding ways to give your time and join them in their mission to relieve hunger!

Take a look at our video to learn more and get a firsthand glimpse at how you can help.

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