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Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is CCC a registered nonprofit?
A. CCC is working to finalize its 501(c)(3) status, with legal support from Kuhn Rogers, to support future fundraising efforts.
Q: Is the Community Cares Coalition (CCC) proposing to build an additional shelter in Traverse City?
A: No. The CCC is not proposing to create an additional shelter but rather to establish a new, shared location that brings together existing day and night shelter services under one roof. This collaborative model would consolidate operations, enhance coordination among service providers, and ensure year-round access to emergency shelter and support services—all in one professionally staffed facility.
Q: Who is involved in the CCC’s shelter proposal, and is it open to collaboration?
A: The CCC has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Safe Harbor and Jubilee House to engage in exploratory conversations around a new model of cooperative sheltering. These early discussions are focused on collaboration, innovation, and long-term solutions. CCC remains open to additional partnerships with organizations and stakeholders committed to creating a more coordinated and sustainable system of care.
Q. Are there similar shelter models elsewhere that inspired this?
A. Napa County successfully consolidated three separate shelters into a single, centralized shelter facility known as the South Napa Shelter Campus, improving access to services and streamlining operations. This transformation was part of a broader strategic effort to reduce fragmentation in the homelessness response system and provide a more coordinated, trauma-informed care model. The consolidation allowed for 24/7 access to services and helped ensure that individuals experiencing homelessness had a consistent place to receive shelter, case management, and pathways to permanent housing.
This effort also involved relocating their emergency shelter away from a residential area and into a more service-accessible, centralized campus setting. The move reduced neighborhood disruption while improving safety and outcomes for shelter guests. Napa’s success highlights how intentional planning, collaboration, and a shared vision across agencies can lead to more effective and compassionate solutions to homelessness.
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Q. Why was NAPA selected as a case study?
A. We chose Napa County as a case study because it offers a proven example of how a community can successfully consolidate fragmented shelter services into a single, coordinated campus, thereby improving outcomes for individuals experiencing homelessness while minimizing neighborhood disruption. Napa’s approach reflects many of the same challenges we face in Traverse City: a seasonal tourism economy, high housing costs, and community concerns about the safety and visibility of homelessness.
Adding to its relevance, a Traverse City native who previously worked in local homelessness response efforts now serves the unhoused population of Napa. Their firsthand knowledge of both communities enables meaningful insight into how Napa’s strategies can inform compassionate, practical solutions here at home.
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Q. Where exactly would the proposed shelter be located?
A. This project is not tied to a specific property at this time. The location will be determined through a joint assessment process conducted by Jubilee House, Safe Harbor, and the Community Cares Coalition. The goal is to identify a site that can best support both day and night shelter services while balancing the needs of unhoused individuals and the broader community.