Advocacy Toolkit
Federal Policy Shifts & Program Impacts
Recent executive orders have led to significant changes, including the rollback of DEI initiatives, disruptions to HUD contracts, and proposed cuts to rental assistance by over 50%. Agencies are facing challenges with funding delays, HUD Field Office closures, and new restrictions on language and established practices.
Budget Outlook
The current fiscal year is operating under a continuing resolution, with no funding increases. As of now, Our CoC is currently operating budgets that were approved FY2024 . However, The proposed FY26 “skinny budget” could eliminate CoC funding, merge programs into ESG, and impose stricter eligibility and time limits - reshaping the homelessness response system. Also mentioned was non-housing parts of the budget that directly impact people experiencing homelessness, housing insecurity, and more. This includes substantial cuts for SNAP, Medicaid and other social safety net programs.
Related
How to Get Involved
There are multiple ways were to get involved in funding and policy advocacy including: staying informed via trusted newsletters and advocacy listservs (NLIHC, NAEH, MCAH); contacting legislators—calls, emails, and personal stories make a difference. Joining events like MCAH’s Capitol Hill Day and local Detroit city council meetings. And supporting initiatives like the Michigan Homeless Bill of Rights and opposing rights-restricting legislation like the SAVE Act. Below is an interactive
To address these changes, we are planning townhall meetings starting in June. These sessions will aim to provide CoC system updates, unpack policy, and explore solutions together
Advocacy Resources
Sign up for legislative alerts on the National Alliance’s website.
Understand nonprofit advocacy.
Learn how to use storytelling techniques for change
How to Effectively Work with Federal, State, and Local Leaders
Contact our legislators
Senator Elissa Slotkin (D)
Detroit Location
719 Griswold Street
Suite 700
Detroit, MI, 48226
Phone: (313) 961-4330
Senator Gary Peters (D)
Detroit Location
Patrick V. McNamara
Federal Building
477 Michigan Avenue
Suite 1837
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 226-6020
Toll Free: (844) 506-7420
(Select “housing” under message topic)
Rep Shri Thanedar (D)
Detroit Location
400 Monroe Street
Suite 420
Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 880-2400
Fax: (313) 731-1843
If you fall outside of Representative Thanedar’s district, you can find your Michigan representative here.
News
This information can be used to create your own advocacy letter and materials.
Major Actions of the Second Trump Administration Affecting Housing (1/20/25 through 4/30/25) - Shelterforce
By the Numbers: State-by-State Data, Fact Sheets, and Resources - Center for Budget and Public Policy
HUD Staff Cuts and Grant Delays Endanger Homelessness Services - Shelterforce
Background
Continuum of Care
In order to receive funding from HUD, communities must ensure that homelessness services are coordinated, responsive to local needs, and data-informed. To facilitate this, each community’s homeless response is organized into what is called a Continuum of Care (CoC). All agencies providing federally funded homeless services in the local area participate in the CoC and work together to try and make homelessness in the community rare, brief, and non-recurring.
The Detroit Continuum of Care which serves Detroit, Highland Park, and Hamtramck receives a total of $37,705,141 from HUD across 47 grants that support our homeless and supportive housing programs.
These grants are administered by 18 different local agencies who provide supportive services to over 1,800 of Detroit’s most vulnerable households -including homeless adults, youth and families, people with disabilities, veterans, survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking, and people with substance use and mental health disorders.
In Detroit, Permanent Supportive Housing is the primary project covered by CoC funding (69%). This provides long-term rental assistance to Detroit’s most vulnerable residents and wrap around supports to help them maintain their housing. This program is highly successful in our community with 99% of persons entering PSH remaining stably housed. CoC Funding also covers Transitional Housing and Rapid Re-Housing programs which provide short to medium-term housing assistance and wrap-around supports
Lastly, we want to note that homelessness does not exist in a vacuum. Cutting our community’s connection to SSI, Medicaid, SNAP benefits, HeadStart/child care support, and any other public programming exacerbates financial precarity for our residents, increases the risk of people becoming homeless, and puts lives at risk. The social services that are being threatened for cuts protect our nation’s most vulnerable. It has been said that “how a society treats its most vulnerable is always the measure of its humanity.” We urge you to protect your vulnerable constituents and ensure they continue to have access to supports that save lives and empower them to be valuable members of society.