Services in Ottawa County that address homelessness and housing assistance fall along a continuum to address a range of housing needs, including homelessness prevention, emergency shelter services, transitional housing, and permanent housing. What follows is a description of each service area, followed by a list of the lead or primary agencies that provide a particular service within that service area. Following these introductory sections is a listing of each agency mentioned, along with contact information and internet links as available.
2-1-1 First Call for Help: In addition to referring to the information below, persons in need of housing assistance are also encouraged to utilize this service, which is available by calling 211 from a landline phone, or 1-888•353•6717 from a cell phone.
Emergency Shelter Services
Emergency shelter services are designed to meet an immediate need for shelter for those with no other safe housing options. Emergency shelter is typically considered brief or temporary (most times up to 30 days). All shelters will require that those residing at the shelter follow basic rules, as well as be working on goals that will allow them to find and afford permanent housing. Shelter providers strive to help all in need of shelter that meet their eligibility criteria, but also have a fixed or limited occupancy capacity, and therefore cannot guarantee that they will be able to provide emergency shelter to all who apply.
The Center for Women in Transition offers shelter to families fleeing domestic violence. The agency serves the greater Holland area and all of Ottawa County, but will also consider requests for shelter from those who need to relocate from another area.
Center for Women in Transition
411 Butternut, Holland, and 300 N. Ferry St, Grand Haven; (616) 392-2829
The Holland Rescue Mission operates two shelters in Holland – one for men, and one for women and families. The Holland Rescue Mission primarily serves persons and families who have previously resided in the greater Holland area, but will provide short-term shelter to those coming from other areas, depending upon capacity.
Holland Rescue Mission
356 Fairbanks and South River Ave, Holland; (616) 396-2200
The Salvation Army – Grand Haven offers limited shelter capacity to persons in need of shelter in the Grand Haven-Cities area.
Salvation Army – Grand Haven
310 N. DeSpelder, Grand Haven; (616) 842-3380
Family Promise – Family Promise offers a network of emergency housing comprised of eleven host churches and a day center in northern Ottawa County area, as well as Muskegon County.
Family Promise
dkeene01@gmail.com
Love INC Tri Cities – Love INC operates sheltered housing in the Grand Haven area for women and women with children. Housing is available to those individuals in housing crisis and seeking to make changes in their lives.
Love INC
1106 Fulton Avenue, Grand Haven MI 49417
616-846-2701
Transitional Housing
Transitional housing services target those presently homeless (residing in an emergency shelter, living on the street, or in a place not meant for human habitation or perhaps those being discharged from certain institutions) who have no alternative housing options and also need more intensive supportive services to resolve housing barriers and achieve basic financial stability. Consequently, transitional housing programs provide housing that is directly linked with direct support services. Transitional housing services are typically provided from between six months to two years.
Good Samaritan Ministries, in partnership with Community Action House, operates a transitional housing program, called the “Community Housing Partnership,” that serves those from the greater Holland area. Those interested in applying for this program or wishing to learn more about it should contact Good Samaritan Ministries.
Good Samaritan Ministries
513 E 8th St, Holland; (616) 392-7159
The Center for Women in Transition offers a transitional housing program that serves victims of domestic violence.
Center for Women in Transition
411 Butternut, Holland, and 300 N. Ferry St, Grand Haven; (616) 392-2829
The Holland Rescue Mission operates transitional housing as well. Most persons who are considered for the program are referred internally from one of the agency’s emergency shelters.
Holland Rescue Mission
356 Fairbanks and South River Ave, Holland; (616) 396-2200
The Salvation Army – Grand Haven and the People Center located in Spring Lake, also each provides a small number of transitional housing units.
Salvation Army – Grand Haven
310 N. DeSpelder, Grand Haven; (616) 842-3380
The People Center
307 E. Exchange, Spring Lake; (616) 844-6710
Permanent Housing
The category of Permanent Housing encompasses a variety of types of housing intended to be long-term or permanent. The first section below will highlight those agencies or services that provide rent subsidies to eligible persons or households for as long as there is financial need.
Ottawa County Community Mental Health manages a number of “Permanent Supportive Housing” units, available to persons who are homeless and have a qualifying disability. The agency serves persons from Ottawa County.
Ottawa County Community Mental Health
12265 James St., Holland ;( 616) 393-5681
Ottawa County Community Action Agency manages the county’s “Housing Choice Voucher” (HCV) program. There are two HCV programs, one known familiarly as “Section 8” and the other is HARP, the Homeless Assistance Recovery Program. The “Section 8” program does not exclusively serve homeless persons, but persons and families who are homeless and/or whose incomes are below the federal poverty level are encouraged to apply. However, this program typically maintains a rather lengthy waiting list, and is not currently accepting applications. HARP is targeted to homeless persons and families and is currently accepting applications. For more information on the HARP program please contact:
Community Action House, North side office
665-136th Ave, Holland; (616) 738-1170
Local housing complexes in Ottawa County also offer subsidized rental opportunities. To locate these, please click on the following link to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority website.
Are you looking for either subsidized or market-rate rental housing? A new web-based search tool sponsored by the Michigan State Housing Development of Authority is now available at www.michiganhousinglocator.com .
Homelessness Prevention
The OAHC seeks to close the front door to homelessness by offering services that provide the needed financial assistance to keep families and individuals housed. Each program has unique eligibility guidelines but all programs work together to best meet the need of the household within those guidelines.
Ottawa County Department of Human Services
12185 James St., Holland; (616) 394-7200
Salvation Army – Holland
104 Clover, Holland; (616) 392-4461
Community Action House, North side office
665-136th Ave, Holland; (616) 738-1170
Salvation Army – Grand Haven
310 N. DeSpelder, Grand Haven; (616) 842-3380
Homeownership
A number of area programs or agencies offer affordable homeownership opportunities to qualified individuals and families. They are listed here.
Lakeshore Habitat for Humanity, serving the greater Holland area can be reached at
341 W. 16th St., Holland; (616) 393-8001
Tri-Cities Area Habitat for Humanity, serving the tri-cities area can be found at
524 Washington, Grand Haven; (616) 842-6260
Ottawa County Community Action Agency, serving all of Ottawa County;
12251 James St, Holland; (616) 393-5697
Jubilee Ministries, serving the Holland area;
96 W 15th St, Holland; (616) 392-8191
The City of Holland Ourstreet Program, serving designated neighborhoods within the City of Holland.
238 W. 15th St., Holland; (616) 355-3133
