By Brian Bruce, Outreach Team Leader/Intake Specialist with The Salvation Army Social Services
The Salvation Army Social Services Housing Assessment Program is our community’s homeless services hub and our goal is to connect people experiencing homelessness with a community resource. If a person in our community is experiencing a housing crisis we would encourage that person or family to call United Way 211 first to obtain potential resources in our community that may be able to assist their needs even beyond housing and for a potential link to The Salvation Army Social Services Housing Assessment Program — if needed at that time.
If a person is experiencing homelessness outdoors, or in some other place not meant for habitation or experiencing homelessness in a homeless shelter we would encourage that person or family to call United Way 211 first or call us directly at HAP 616.454.5840 Monday through Friday 9-11:30 am and 1-4 pm except for Thursdays as the phones are tuned off for staff development at 3 pm.
Calling HAP is by far the easiest way to complete an assessment for our community’s resources — however TSA HAP has walk-in times on Wednesday morning at 1120 Monroe Ave Suite 250 starting at 9 am-until capacity is reached; for folks that have no phone or don’t like speaking on the phone.
The Salvation Army Social Services Housing Assessment Program has an outreach team that meets individuals where they are at in the Heartside Area as well as under bridges, along railroad tracks, along the river and other trails in the greater Kent County area as well as at other community homeless service providers — currently HAP outreach staff meet homeless individuals at Degage Ministries on Wednesday Afternoons from 1-4 pm and HAP Outreach staff will place an emphasis on working with Veterans of the US military on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month. This outreach time is currently on a first-come, first-served basis. HAP outreach staff also will meet with youth 18–24 at HQ on Thursday from 12:30-2:30 pm arranged by HQ staff for scheduled appointments.
If you know of a particular person sleeping outdoors and can provide a specific location and potential times to meet that person — please call Brian Bruce at 616.454.5840 ext. 3002 and leave a detailed message and contact number. We will try to get outreach teams to that location as soon as possible.
