Homelessness Solutions

Community Action Alger-Marquette is the Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA) for the following counties in the U.P.

Emergency Solutions Grant

The Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), funded by MSHDA, is a program that provides funding for people who are either literally homeless (ie. living on the streets, in a car, in a shelter or a safe haven) or could become homeless due to an imminent pending eviction. Those with an income of 0-30% of the Area Median Income for where they live may potentially qualify for our Rapid-Rehousing or Prevention services. These services may include case management, an emergency hotel voucher, help with a security deposit and/or short-term rental assistance, and help with past due rent, all of which would possibly prevent the client from becoming literally homeless. Please call 1-800-562-9762 Ext. 207 to do an assessment, or visit our Resources & Links page for more resources.

MSHDA Housing Choice Voucher

MSHDA Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV) are made available by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development and local Public Housing Authority to provide rental subsidies to very low-income families, elderly and disabled people. Their income must be under 50% of the Area Median Income for the location they are planning to live. Those who receive a voucher are then able to look for housing wherever a MSHDA voucher is accepted. To see if the HCV Waitlist is open in your county click here. If you are homeless, please call 1-800-562-9762 Ext. 207 to do an assessment over the phone BEFORE applying for a MSHDA voucher online.

Supportive Services for Veteran Families

The Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) is a Rapid Re-Housing and Homelessness Prevention program serving active duty military Veterans and their families who are below 50% of the Area Median Income and are either homeless, or at-risk of becoming homeless. The services provided could include case management, an emergency hotel voucher, help with a security deposit and/or short-term rental assistance, outreach, and helping Veterans obtain other benefits that would prevent them from becoming homeless such as health care services, transportation services and assistance with overdue utilities. Please call 1-800-562-9762 Ext. 207 to do an assessment, or visit our Housing Resources page for more helpful links.

Family Self Sufficiency

The Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program is available for our clients who are in Alger, Marquette, Houghton and Keweenaw Counties who have a MSHDA HCV or PBV housing subsidy. For those enrolled in the program, when a participant’s rent is increased due to earned income, the increase they pay in rent will be put into an escrow account. Once the tenant completes the 5-year program, they will receive their escrow money and be able to put it towards a down payment on a house, pay off debt, use it towards educational expenses, purchase a vehicle or spend it however they wish to. CAAM has an FSS Resource Coordinator who works with eligible participants. The FSS program is a voluntary program that encourages HCV participants to be economically independent and self-sufficient. The participant must comply with the FSS Contract of Participation, seek and maintain suitable employment, develop and achieve personal goals, attend a Financial Capability Management class or complete an online session, meet in person with their FSS Resource Coordinator twice per year and be in contact by phone or email twice per year. To graduate from the program, the participant must be employed the last 12 months of the contract, no household member can be receiving TANF during the last 12 months of service and they will have met their goals and received a certificate from the Financial Management course. The Resource Coordinator can assist with helping to improve or gain employment, develop a family budget, increase education by obtaining a GED, vocational training or college credit. For more information, please call Andrew at 906-225-5484.