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Current Projects 

Joining together as advocates for holistic, strategic, and well-informed solutions to tackling one of our community's greatest needs: homelessness.

Image by Alec Krum

Community Cares Coalition: Our Work to Strengthen Emergency Shelter

Since 2024, Community Cares Coalition has worked alongside community partners to identify a sustainable, long-term approach to emergency shelter in our community. The milestones below reflect our ongoing efforts towards a shelter system that prioritizes safety, stability, dignity, and better outcomes for guests — while also supporting the safety and well-being of all people visiting, working, and living in our community.

Project Timeline & Key Milestones

March 2024

Community Cares Coalition (CCC) joins the Homelessness Collective to engage with existing service providers and community partners working to address homelessness in the Grand Traverse region.

July 16, 2024

CCC presents its initial proposal to the Homelessness Collective, outlining a concept for a consolidated, collaborative emergency shelter model.

September 2024

CCC collects signatures from residents, service providers, and local businesses expressing support for the proposed cooperative emergency shelter model concept.

October 2024

CCC receives a letter of support from U.S. Congressman Jack Bergman

March 2025

CCC signs a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Safe Harbor and the Jubilee House, formalizing collaboration among partner organizations.

March 2025

CCC is invited to participate in the County and City Housing and Homelessness Task Force and begins serving in an advisory capacity.

May 2025

CCC receives a letter of support from Michigan State Senator John DaMoose

July 23, 2025

Community Cares Coalition receives its 501(c)(3) nonprofit designation

January 2026

Recommendations from the County and City Housing and Homelessness Task Force are formally shared with the Grand Traverse County Commission.

April 2026

Engaged OrgCode Consulting

  • Engaged OrgCode Consulting to evaluate the proposed consolidated shelter model and answer three key questions:

    • Capacity: Does a 165-bed model meet the current and projected need for emergency shelter in a community of our size?

    • Service Model: Would a 24/7/365 consolidated shelter better serve guests in terms of safety, stability, and outcomes?

    • Location: Does the Keystone Road location present barriers to access, including proximity to services, transportation, and community integration?

May 2026

OrgCode Site Visits & Stakeholder Engagement

  • ​OrgCode conducted site visits and stakeholder interviews to gather information.

"The solution to homelessness is simple – housing.

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People experiencing a housing crisis or fleeing an unsafe situation need to find a place to stay, quickly. Emergency shelter and interim housing can fill this role in a community’s homeless response system. These interventions should be low-barrier and align their goals and program activities with the larger system’s goals."

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-National Alliance to End Homelessness

​Principles:

  • Everyone experiencing unsheltered homelessness is vulnerable and deserves dignified and respectful treatment of their rights.

  • Every effort must be made to connect people to housing, shelter and services. 

  • Encampments are a serious public health and safety risk, especially for those staying in the encampment, and are not a dignified form of shelter.

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Health and Safety Concerns for Our Community

  • Living conditions that do not meet safe housing standards.

  • Open drug use.

  • Used needles left on the street and sidewalks and playgrounds.

  • Defecation and urination in public spaces.

  • Threats and disruptive behavior.

  • Risks to the the safety, health and well-being of unhoused individuals, residents and ALL persons working in or visiting the city of Traverse City.

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