We support, because we care.
Because your success is important to us, we are here to help you access GRCC and community resources so you can focus on your education, such as: Food, Utility Costs, Housing Costs, Housing Resources, Transportation (i.e bus passes, gas, etc), Auto Repairs, Healthcare/Medical Needs, Tuition and Fees, Textbooks and School Supplies, Internet Access, SNAP benefits (food assistance), Childcare, etc.
Please fill out the GET HELP contact form and a staff member will be in contact with you
GET HELP contact and Emergency Fund intake form
Emergency Housing
Grand Rapids Community College is a commuter school, so we do not offer on-campus housing. Our general housing page has more information on local apartment complexes and property management offices. However, we are here to help you access community resources which offer assistance in times of immediate need.
Community resources
United Way – 211
United Way – 211 connects people to more than 2,900 services in Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Osceola and Oceana Counties including food, shelter, utility assistance, disaster recovery, childcare, transportation, and more.
Shelter Listings
View Shelter Listings, a National Housing Database
Although permanent housing is most likely your ultimate goal, gaining acceptance into a program may take over a year. A housing crisis can sometimes be solved in three steps:
1st Step - Emergency/Homeless Shelter,
2nd Step - Transitional Housing,
3rd Step - Permanent Affordable Housing. Resolution will vary depending on your circumstances and program availability.
If you need immediate assistance please contact the Housing Assessment Program (HAP) at (616) 454-5840 or call the United Way – 211.
Arbor Circle: Youth Services and Programs
Arbor Circle: Youth Services and Programs and homeless youth services support young adults, ages 10-24, who are experiencing homelessness and/or are without safe and stable housing.
Counseling, housing, and additional programs are available. The process is personalized to help young adults understand their needs, build new skills, and identify and create a plan for achieving goals.
Arbor Circle: Youth Services and Programs and Street Outreach team goes out into the community to meet homeless or runaway youth where they are. Outreach staff provides basic needs and resources, builds positive relationships, and encourages youth to connect with available support systems and other community partners.
For 24/7 Help, Call: (616) 451-3001
A.Y.A. Youth Collective
Relationships. Resources. Housing. A.Y.A. Youth Collective creates circles of support for 14- to 24-year-olds facing homelessness or instability through drop in appointments as well as communal housing. Young people can connect to the resources, relationships, and housing they need at any point on their journey. Drop-In appointments can help with warm meals, showers, laundry, essential needs and supportive housing.
ayayouth.org
Call: (616) 406-3945
Email: info@ayayouth.org
Community Rebuilders
The Community Rebuilders program requires a Housing Assessment Program referral from the Salvation Army to be eligible for assistance, which can be set up through calling 211. You may also go to www.communityhousingconnect.org to start an online intake form to have assistance with this process. Please refer to the HAP entry for further details.* Community Rebuilders helps families and individuals who are homeless move directly into housing by providing short-term rental assistance with an emphasis of developing a community that is self-sufficient with income growth for clients.
Covenant House
Covenant House Michigan is a faith-based nonprofit organization that provides assistance to homeless, runaway, and at-risk youth ages 18-24. Covenant House provides shelter, educational and vocational programs, as well as other support services, to help overcome hurdles such as homelessness, unemployment, inadequate education, violence, drugs and gangs.
covenanthousemi.org
Call: (616) 608-1380
Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan (DRCWM)
Looking to reduce the need for legal assistance? A mediator may be the right solution for you. The Dispute Resolution Center of West Michigan serves Kent, Ionia, Lake, Montcalm, Mecosta, Newaygo, and Osceola Counties and helps people resolve conflicts either privately or in the courts. This includes information on communication skills and how to work together to peacefully resolve disagreements, and a full list of services is available on their website. This includes Landlord-Tenant conflicts.
Sliding-scale available, free to qualifying low-income residents.
https://drcwm.org/
Call to schedule a confidential appointment: (616) 774-0121 or submit a contact form
Dwelling Place
Dwelling Place has several housing communities in West Michigan, including homes, apartments, supportive housing, and transitional housing. Dwelling Place offers other support services to meet individual needs.
dwellingplacegr.org
Call: (616) 454-0928
Email: info@dwellingplacegr.org
Grand Rapids Housing Commission Community Partners
The Grand Rapids Housing Commission Community Partners partners with a large and growing list of community agencies to meet the diverse needs of the families we serve. View Grand Rapids area emergency service contacts, followed by links to a few of the many other organizations with which we coordinate programs and services.
Heart of West Michigan United Way
Heart of West Michigan United Way unites resources in West Michigan to help fight poverty. This branch of the United Way is located at 118 Commerce Ave SW, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503.
hwmuw.org
Call: 211 OR 1-800 - 887-1107
Email: communications@hwmuw.org
Text your zip code to: 898211.* Standard message and data rates may apply.
Housing Assessment Program (HAP)
Housing Assessment Program: If you or someone you know is experiencing a housing crisis, please contact 2-1-1. A Housing Resource Specialist at 2-1-1 will talk to you about your current situation and discuss options for assistance and support, and may refer you to HAP. Housing Assessment Hours are Monday-Thursday, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, and Fridays 9:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The HAP program is referred to those who are currently homeless or in imminent risk of homelessness.
salvationarmy.org
Call: 211 OR 1-800 - 887-1107
Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) partners to provide homes and preserve places for the people of Michigan. Depending on your housing needs, click on the Rental or Homeless buttons.
The Salvation Army: Kent County
The Salvation Army: Kent County is here to connect people who are literally homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness to the best available housing resource in the community. If you or someone you know is experiencing a housing crisis, please contact them right away.
salvationarmy.org
Call: 211 OR 1-800 - 887-1107
Find additional resources
Please consider some of the other options available to you on the GetHelp webpage as well as various options near you. The Find Help site can help you find resources and other free or reduced cost programs depending on your need, and United Way – 211 is another option that connects people to more than 2,900 services.