Detroit Housing Services Office to expand its role providing and connecting Detroiters to supportive services
- Established eight months ago, the Detroit Housing Services Office (DHS) now to provide a singular access point for residents needing assistance in multiple areas, including housing, utility assistance, social services and other supportive services
- DHS will field cases previously sent to Community Health Corps
- Goal is to streamline access to vital services, provide case management when needed
- DHS’ Housing Resource HelpLine staff of more than 100 ready to assist at 866-313-2520
The City of Detroit's Housing Services Office, launched as part of Mayor Duggan's $203M Affordable Housing Plan in June 2023 to provide a single point of access for all housing-related needs is expanding its scope to include direct assistance and referrals for several additional services, including utility assistance, transportation, and social services, starting March 1.
These services have been provided for the past five years through a separate city-related program, the Community Health Corps. Those services now will be managed through the Detroit Housing Services Office, which includes the Housing Resource HelpLine call center and a case management team, totaling more than 100 staff members who assess resident needs and to connect them to the network of services and programs designed for each specific need, including Detroit at Work for job, job training and supportive service-related needs.
“When someone needs immediate support, they shouldn’t have to spend valuable time trying to figure out which City program can help,” said David Bowser, Chief of Housing Solutions and Supportive Services. “So, whether you’re in financial distress and having trouble paying your water bill or property taxes, have a landlord issue or are approaching an eviction, or are in need of emergency housing, the only number you’ll need to know is 866-313-2520. If the city doesn’t have a program in-house, we’ll be able to connect you to one of our partners that does.”
Since the Detroit Housing Services Office launched its HelpLine last May, it has fielded more than 100,000 calls for assistance. The Housing Resource HelpLine has been extremely effective in providing referrals to a host of partner programs and organizations and referring to direct case management teams when needed.
The shift in management to the Detroit Housing Services Office will be essentially invisible to residents who receive the services, which has been done by referral. After March 1, any resident needing these services will have the ability to call the HelpLine to access them. Case management services will be provided based on a full review of each resident's needs.