Housing Services

When helping homeless families, ideally, we want families to move as little as possible. We have a three-prong approach to helping these families. SOS conducts a family assessment to determine if the family needs our Diversion, shelter, or Rapid Rehousing services.  Additionally, SOS provides eviction prevention services to families with a Section 8 voucher.

Flyer: Family Housing

Diversion: This program is for families who just need a little help to overcome a barrier or two that prevents them from securing their own housing. SOS’s diversion specialist works with these families and helps formulate a plan and the resources necessary to execute the plan. The goal is to quickly take care of the issue(s) so the family can secure their own housing as quickly as possible.

Shelter: Ideally, we want families to go into our Rapid Rehousing program; however, sometimes that isn’t possible. In these cases, the families move into one of our 7 shelter homes, while at the shelter home, they take care of barriers preventing them from going into Rapid Rehousing. Our Shelter Coordinator makes home visits multiple times per week. They provide the support necessary to help these families become eligible for our Rapid Rehousing program. Ideally, the stay is 90 days or less.

Rapid Rehousing: A national program that helps families quickly exit homelessness and return to permanent housing The family holds the lease on the home, while SOS subsidies the rent. Our housing coordinators work with these families to help provide support while they are in this program; the average time is 9–12 months. The goal is that after our families leave our program, they are self-reliant and never face becoming homeless again. Rapid Rehousing has an incredibly high success rate.

Eviction Prevention: The easiest way to end homelessness is to prevent it. SOS offers eviction prevention services for families who currently hold a Section 8 voucher and are at risk of losing it and facing homelessness. Help can be as easy as guiding the family through the renewal process or things like utility arrears. Our eviction prevention specialists work with the family to find solutions to these issues and ensure they keep their voucher.

Family Resource Center

SOS’s family resource center offers a multitude of services to families, as well as housing our food pantry.

Flyer: Family Resource Center Program Sheets 2023

Family Resources: Families can receive assistance navigating the local, state, and national social service programs. Families can meet with our resource specialist to learn more about programs that can provide them with assistance, receive referrals, and even assist in completing the enrollment processes for said services.

Food Pantry: SOS’s food pantry is open every week and available to anyone facing food insecurity (no qualifiers required). The rise in food insecurity in Washtenaw County is rising at an alarming pace. The usage of our pantry has grown by 25% in less than 6 months. This spring, we were serving around 220 families per week; this fall, we are serving around 275 families weekly. Sadly, the projections show the number of families facing food insecurity continuing to rise as family budgets are stretched too thin. In March 2023, the Covid food stamp (SNAP) bonus of 15% ended. Additionally, the rising costs of food, housing, and utilities are other major factors driving this increase.

Educational Services

Flyer:Parents as Teachers Program Sheets 2023

Ypsilanti Parent Network (YPN): During the pandemic, many parents and caregivers realized they did not have the skills necessary to help their children when they were learning from home. The YPN program provides educational resources for parents to improve skills and/or take their GED. This program also provides support programs (emotional and educational) for children. One of our partner programs being offered is “Telling It”. This is one of the many ways SOS is providing all-encompassing services to help our families have the necessary skills for a brighter future.

Parents as Teachers (PAT): a nationally acclaimed program providing early intervention, child abuse prevention, and preparation to enter the school system. Families participating in one of our housing programs or family members in the county meeting the risk requirements can participate in the PAT program. This program is for families who have children 5 years of age or younger. While in the program, families will have home visits by our parent educators. During these visits, our parent educators work with the parents or caregivers to teach them about educational play, safe parenting practices, and developmental milestones. Should there be any concerns regarding developmental delays, the parent coordinator will work with the family to get a formal evaluation set up for the child and help them acquire subsequent therapies if needed. Research has shown that children whose special needs are identified and addressed during these crucial first three years of life have a greater chance of reaching their full potential.

Giving to SOS

Flyer: planned giving