FAQ: Transitional Housing Ministry for Women and Children

Click a tab below to explore our responses to the most frequently mentioned concerns about the transitional housing center for homeless women and children.

Traffic

Transportation

Importation of People

Safety

Schools

Staffing

Community Impact

Burden on Infrastructure

Impact on ProMedica

Provision of Food

Precedence for other Shelters

Environmental

NOH foresees our traffic flow being only 20% or less than that of which the Herrick Manor had previously. Our operation will not include nearly the staff size the Manor had. Our policies include NO visitors. We will not have the daytime traffic of visitors that the Manor sustained for its patients. We project up to six vehicles per day for staff; one to three vehicles for volunteers per weekday; few, if any, vehicles for our guests since this population tends not to have such assets, but there will be the occasional vehicle(s) for guests; and our guest transportation vehicle (van) to provide transportation to bus stops and human resources in Adrian.

Knowing that the hub of human resources (DHHS, Sec. of State, MiWorks, CMH, MRS, etc.) are located in the city of Adrian, and that the vast majority of our guests will not have their own vehicles or finances to commute, and given there are limited alternatives (Lenawee Transportation), NOH will provide scheduled transportation to and from these vital resources. We recognize that if our guests are going to be successful in their pursuit of self-reliance, it is imperative they have access to and connected with these resources.

Per NOH policy – individuals MUST be a resident of Lenawee County to be eligible for our services. NOH prides itself on proper stewarding the funds provided to us by our donors. We know our donors do not give funds to support our service to non-county residents.

NOH recognizes that safety is important to all parties and is committed to protecting person and property as best we can, both ours and surrounding neighbors. During our twelve year history of operating transitional housing in Adrian, we have never had a neighbor call the police on us. The only police presence we have is when we have contacted them to respond to an emergency situation (guest refusing to leave property after expulsion; medical emergency and the like). Despite its subjective nature, we are certain our security measures will ensure the wellbeing of all and will result in similar fashion to our current operation in Adrian. The security mechanisms NOH plans to incorporate into the Manor are to be beneficial to our guests and fellow community members. The building will be equipped with interior and exterior video surveillance systems. It will have a single entry door (front of building) which will require video identification verification prior to being buzzed in. Only staff and City of Tecumseh Police will have key fobs available to them for direct entry. We intend to provide a space within the building where city police can stop by at any time and utilize for their refreshment and we will strongly encourage their regular visitation to our premise. We will add illumination to all four exit doors, as currently those areas have low illumination ratings. We will provide 24/7 security staff.

NOH sees minimal, if any, impact on Tecumseh schools. NOH will house children and recognizes that some of those children will be of school. NOH will implement and comply with the federal McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. MVHAA was first established 1987 and its purpose is to assist homeless children; defined as “individuals who lack a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence” such as: a) children sharing housing due to economic hardship or loss of housing; (b) children living in “motels, hotels, trailer parks, or camp grounds due to lack of alternative accommodations”; (c) children living in “emergency or transitional shelters”; (d) children whose primary nighttime residence is not ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation (e.g. park benches, etc.) and (e) children living in “cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations (NHEC). MVHAA ensures homeless children transportation to and from school free of charge, allowing children to attend their school of origin (last school enrolled or the school they attended when they first became homeless) regardless of what district the family resides in. It further requires schools to register homeless children even if they lack normally required documents, such as immunization records or proof of residence. With MVHAA, NOH will not be bringing new learners to Tecumseh Public Schools system if those children are already enrolled in another district. We will provide verification to the State and school district that the children are homeless. With MVHAA funding provided to the school district the children are enrolled, that school district is fully responsible for providing all transportation needs (Example: child comes to NOH with mother and child is enrolled in Clinton schools. MVHAA funding will be provided to Clinton schools and Clinton will be responsible for transporting and providing for child’s education needs.) Utilizing MVHAA helps maintain stability in the child’s life while other aspects related to their homelessness are unstable. Thus, NOH sees no impact upon Tecumseh schools or its residents.

NOH plans to have to 6-8 staffing positions. These include a Ministry Director, Housing Manager, Social Worker/Case Manager, Licensed Day Care provider, Transportation and Security. Staff implements and oversees all operations of the ministry. Volunteers will be utilized for specific areas of needs.

As with the schools issue, NOH foresees minimal impact, if any, on community at large. We do not envision our guests monopolizing their employment searches in Tecumseh, but rather will tend to search in other areas where they have other connections (family, resources, alternative housing potential, etc…). Economically, the majority of our guests will be receiving State assistance and will be spending a portion of those funds in Tecumseh. Since NOH offers a “program” to help and not enable the homeless, our operation does not permit lethargy. We do not run a “flop house”. As a faith-based, Christ-centered non-profit organization, we are committed to proper stewardship, including property upkeep. Thus, NOH facility will never become an eye-soar to the community.

Unlike a new structure being constructed on the property, such as an apartment complex, whereby new water, sewer and utilities would burden the infrastructure, as well as necessitate increased policing, NOH is re-purposing an already existing building and property, complete with functional and existing utilities. NOH is confident that the response of any emergency team (police, EMT, fire/rescue) to our facility will be far less than that already existing with Herrick Hospital proper.

NOH is grateful for ProMedica’s social significands program and fully intends to honor our purchase agreement with ProMedica. The terms of acquisition that NOH is imperatively responsible for include: separating the nursing facility from the hospital proper (hallway that connects the two buildings) as well as severing any existing utilities from main hospital and establishing direct feeds to Manor building. ProMedica has agreed to easement for drive access to front of Manor building and NOH anticipates no hindrances to their daily operations.

NOH will provide all food provisions for our women and children. Our renovation plans include expanding the existing kitchen to provide adequate space for multiple appliances (stoves/ovens/refrigerators/freezers) as well as sinks and counter space. NOH is committed to making our program as “real life” as possible and that includes meal preparations and service. Thus, NOH will provide food materials, appliances and equipment for meals, but guests will be preparing the meals for themselves and other guests.

NOH is not convinced a competitive market exists for housing the homeless and therefore disagrees with the subjective opinion that granting a similar use in OS-1 opens that door. With twelve years of serving the Lenawee County community combined with our association with the Association of Gospel Rescue Missions (more than 400 across US and 13 in Michigan), it is our experience that few individuals or groups have the financial resources, experience or knowledge to launch a transitional housing program for the homeless. We also believe that conditions can be applied in a “Special Land Use” stipulated by the City Council that limits access to further zones.

NOH has been informed that there are no environmental issues regarding the Herrick Manor property. Asbestos remediation was done by ProMedica back around 2010. There is no radon gas issue, lead-based paint issues or soil contamination issues.

Methods of Operations

NOH believes our method of operation is indeed compatible to other uses in an OS-1. By definition, transitional housing is a temporary living environment. Such temporary living environments include nursing homes, which are approved uses. With the former Herrick Manor, it was the temporary living environment for its patients. Some of those patients lived in that environment temporarily for recovery or rehabilitation purposes following medical/surgical procedures. While there, they were cared for by staff until they were healed and capable of transitioning to the next stage of their lives (home, assisted living or even the Kingdom Victorious!). That particular method of operation differs little from that of NOH. We too offer wounded people a temporary living environment where they can receive care and healing until they are capable of moving into the next stage of their lives. The table below is a comparison of this and infers compatibility of use in an OS-1 zone.

Nursing Home Neighbors of Hope Transitional Housing
Nursing homes offer nursing care from registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical or vocational nurses (LPNs or LVNs) who are on staff 24 hours a day. NOH provides care from a licensed social worker, case managers and administrators including 24 hour staff.
Nursing homes provide assistance with daily living (the basics such as bathing, dressing, toileting, personal hygiene, and the like), and meals. NOH provides basic needs (shelter, food, shower/bathing, personal hygiene.
Nursing homes generally provide additional services such as: housekeeping, laundry service, to include providing linens and towels, basic hygiene items, recreational activities. NOH provides these as well.
Nursing homes offer therapy services (physical, speech or occupational) depending on need of patient. NOH offers services depending on need – educational, employment, life skills, rehabilitative services
Nursing homes, depending on facility, may offer higher levels of medical care such as dental services, mental health, Intravenous (IV) drug therapy, respiratory therapy, Rehabilitative therapy, Pain management, Dialysis, Alzheimer’s and dementia patients safe housing. NOH clientele differs but offers comprehensive suite of Christ-centered programs and services for our most vulnerable neighbors, services beyond that of emergency shelters including programs, spiritual formation services, biblical counseling, restorative and recovery services as well as life application skills to help ensure the transition to independent living.