As a county, we have made a collective decision to no longer manage homelessness, but end it and change our crisis response to a housing response.

The Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness and it’s many partners have made great strides in implementing the Vision to End Homelessness which is our community’s roadmap to ending systemic homelessness by 2014.  By increasing homeless prevention, coordinating support services, and building the infrastructure for long term systems change, we can ensure access to affordable housing for people who need it.

Through the GRACE Congregational Partnership Program (CPP), a congregation is encouraged to engage in the Vision by partnering with a vulnerable household. Congregational partners make a financial contribution to the Fund (rent assistance) and provide a team of volunteers to walk with the household
for up to year.

Many people in our community are dedicated to the Vision and it takes all of us working together to make the Vision a reality!  Engage in the Vision, join as a partner and support permanent housing.

• Financial contribution supports permanent housing
• Process encourages housing stability
• Team includes a Housing Resource Specialist
• Strength based training for all volunteers
• Participate in community collaboration and system change work
• Justice work promoting social change

• $172,000 raised so far
• 22 Congregations have committed to Partnership since 2007 (pilot year)
• 29 households assisted (32 adults and 88 children)
• 90 % of known households have remained in permanent housing for more than 6-12 months AFTER closure date
• Average financial assistance per household is $4500

• Attend Orientation (on-going)
• Sign agreement and commit financially
• Identify Lead Volunteer Contact and/or volunteer team
• Attend Volunteer Training (on-going)
• Meet with Household and Housing Resource Specialist and determine support
• Meet monthly and engage congregation when needed
• Closing interview and evaluation

Lori Fedewa, Coordinator
GRACE Congregational Partnership Program
with the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness
Phone: 616-643-0349
Fax: 616-643-0253
Email Lori