• 250 more shelter beds added this winter, bringing total to approximately 1,700
• 220 drop-in center beds for those needing immediate shelter  
• New Housing Stability division focuses on families with minor children who are at imminent risk of homelessness.  

As cold weather approaches, the City of Detroit today announced its annual winter expansion of emergency shelter beds, including 250 more beds than last year. The City’s plan also includes a new program focused on reducing families at-risk of homelessness from entering the homelessness system, to ensure every Detroiter has a safe, warm place to stay.

Through Mayor Mike Duggan’s 7-Point Plan to Improve Detroit’s Emergency Homelessness Response System, the City has increased coordination between the Housing & Revitalization Department, Detroit Police Department, and non-profit service providers. This coordination ensures Detroiters experiencing homelessness are being immediately connected to homelessness services, no matter the time of day.

The plan also increases supportive services to prevent families from entering shelter and staying stably housed. The plan is supported by an additional $5 million Detroit’s City Council added to the 2025 budget, providing crucial resources to the city’s most vulnerable. 

More Beds, More Options for Residents

This winter, more than 1,700 shelter beds will be available across Detroit, with additional capacity through Stand-By Shelter for “Code Blue” emergency weather events.  

“Over the past several years and with the support of City Council, we have significantly increased our resources and outreach to assist those experiencing homelessness during the winter and have added even more resources this year,” said Mayor Duggan.  

The City’s winter response includes increased capacity at year-round shelters, activation of warming center beds, doubling of Drop-In beds, and the Stand-By Shelter.  

• Over 1,700 total beds across the city, an increase of approximately 250 beds from last winter.
• Includes a minimum of 220 Drop-in Center beds for immediate shelter access for residents sleeping outside, 100 Warming Center Beds, with an additional 50 stand-by beds for emergency weather events or Code Blue Emergencies.
• Targeted street outreach and coordination with DPD to ensure residents can reach Drop-In locations.
• Shelters will continue to operate in partnership with non-profit organizations who play a critical role in connecting residents to both immediate shelter and long-term housing solutions. 

New Resources to Support Families staying with friends and family, at-risk of homelessness.  

Launched in June 2023, the City of Detroit announced the establishment of a new City office that helps Detroiters facing displacement from housing emergencies get connected to stable housing. The Detroit Housing Services (DHS) office, developed and administered by the Housing and Revitalization Department, provides direct case management assistance to Detroiters, helping displaced residents navigate often complex re-housing processes.  

As part of the 7-point plan, a new Housing Stability division expands eligibility to support households with minor children that are staying with friends or family without a lease, who are at-risk of imminent homelessness, within 14 days. Case managers will support the household and host families, to reduce inflow into the emergency shelter system through case management and certain direct services such as employment assistance, obtaining vital documents, and move-in cost support.  

“Each winter, our priority is making sure every Detroiter has a safe, warm place to go—and this year, we are expanding our system in ways that not only respond to immediate crisis, but prevent families from ever entering homelessness in the first place,” said Julie Schneider, Director of the city of Detroit’s Housing & Revitalization Department. “With added beds, expanded nighttime outreach, and our new Housing Stability division, we’re building a faster, more coordinated response that gets Detroiters the help they need when they need it.”  

About the City’s Homelessness Response

In 2024 Detroit issued its very first Strategic System Improvement Plan for Detroit’s Homelessness Response System. This comprehensive plan outlines efforts to strengthen the City’s homelessness prevention and response system. It focuses on expanding shelter capacity, streamlining services, and connecting residents to housing, employment, and behavioral health support.

The plan is coordinated by the Housing & Revitalization Department (HRD) in partnership with the Homeless Action Network of Detroit (HAND) and numerous community-based organizations and departments

For more information, visit detroitmi.gov/departments/housing-and-revitalization-department/homelessness.

If you are having a housing crisis or need emergency shelter, please call 866-313-2520 – available 24hrs for residents experiencing unsheltered homelessness.