In push to reduce veteran homelessness, housing projects provide ‘safe stability’

The Detroit News

Published 11:07PM ET on November 10, 2023

Highland Park ― Sheldon Cage, an Army veteran, was living on his own, working until his home bills exceeded his paycheck.

Last year, Cage moved into a group home for veterans in Westland but didn’t have any privacy from his four other roommates, especially when his six-year-old son came to visit on the weekends. That was until a case worker at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recommended Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, a nonprofit that recently opened veteran-exclusive supportive housing in Highland Park.

“I really had bad thoughts about Highland Park, but when I saw how nice the unit was, I realized the area is what you make of it,” said Cage, 47. “Ever since then, I’ve been watching the city transform as far as blight, painting murals and bringing the city back to life. Here, veterans are treated special. I know it’s a bad circumstance why I’m here and I don’t want to be treated that way. I’m treated with respect and so do other people who live here and I appreciate that most of all.”

Experts say creating more permanent housing for veterans is a key way to reduce homelessness and one local nonprofit is doing more on that front. In the last year, Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries has converted 60 of its transitional units into permanent housing for veterans exiting homelessness.

The initiative is being done in coordination with Community Solutions, the Rocket Community Fund and the Home Depot Foundation.

The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is having transitional housing for veterans in Highland Park upgraded. Over the last year, 60 apartments were remodeled in partnership with Community Solutions, Rocket Community Fund and The Home Depot Foundation to provide permanent housing for veterans.

The Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries is having transitional housing for veterans upgraded. Over the last year, 60 were remodeled in partnership with Community Solutions, Rocket Community Fund, and The Home Depot Foundation to provide permanent housing for veterans.

Director of Housing Benne Baker talks about the amenities of the kitchen in a unit at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries housing for veterans in Highland Park on Nov. 3, 2023. Sixty apartments were upgraded in partnership with Community Solutions, Rocket Community Fund and The Home Depot Foundation.

Director of Housing Benne Baker talks about the amenities of the kitchen in a unit at the DRMM housing for veterans in Highland Park on November 3, 2023.

Sixty apartments were upgraded in partnership with Community Solutions, Rocket Community Fund, and The Home Depot Foundation.

About 28 veterans are living in the units already and the Ministries is hosting an open house from 2-4 p.m. on Nov. 15 at 211 Glendale to find additional tenants in need of help.

Studies show veterans are two to three times more likely than the general public to experience homelessness. In Michigan, more than 2,400 veterans ― many with families — are homeless, according to the Homeless Management Information System. And 600 of them are in Wayne County.

Experts say a number of factors can make a difference in reducing veteran homelessness, including creating more permanent housing, reducing barriers and collection real-time data.

From January 2018 to September 2022, Detroit has driven a 50% reduction in veteran homelessness, helping 1,175 veterans find housing, according to council records.

Last week, Detroit also held a groundbreaking for the $16.4 million Benjamin O. Davis Veterans Village on Outer Drive. Featuring 25 apartments for veterans and 25 apartments for those with disabilities, it’s expected to open in August 2025.

“We believe that ending veteran homelessness is possible and are proud of how the entire Detroit community has come together toward this goal,” said Laura Grannemann, executive director of the Rocket Community Fund, which contributed $300,000 to the project.

DRMM also offers job training to homeless veterans through the Detroit Training Center so that they can get on the road to financial growth and independence.

“People tend to be very passionate about helping veterans for only a few months or holidays out of the year. After that, they sort of fade into the background,” said Dr. Chad Audi, CEO and president of Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries. “In addition to our other year-round Veteran assistance programs, initiatives like this one will ensure our soldiers are housed and supported year-round and give them the tools to recover their lives and independence, which is always our end goa

Cage is a father of four ― three of his children are in college and his six-year-old son now enjoys staying with him on the weekend. Since he moved in around January, he pays $670 per month for the apartment and says it’s hard seeing himself leaving before April.

Noah Cage, left, sits with his dad, Sheldon Cage. Sheldon now lives in a development for veterans created by Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries in Highland Park where Noah can visit him.

Noah Cage, left, sits with his dad, Sheldon Cage. Cage now lives in a development for veterans created by the Detroit Rescue Mission in Highland Park where Noah can visit him.

“I lost my job this year and was low on funds. They said, pay whenever you can… They make me mentally and physically comfortable and for my son who comes here on the weekend. It’s not a huge rush to get out and not a huge rush to stay,” said Cage, who served in the army from 1998-2012.

Fred Tucker, 63, was the first veteran to move into the apartments. He signed a year-long lease in August 2022 and recently left because he was able to move into his own home.

“My year there was exactly what I needed. A stable, clean place, a quiet place because I was coming from turmoil and I was blessed to be there for a year,” said Tucker, who served in the Army from 1978-1982. “I found out from my counselor about the housing at Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries and I loved my time there but I eventually wanted more space.”

Residents at the Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries housing for veterans in Highland Park have access to a community room for various activities.

“Living here, people complain about it being small and it is small but the way you are treated and how everything is safe, especially at night… It’s an opportunity to save and turn things around and I appreciate it. When I get back to how I want to live, I will credit this place for the bridge it helped me build,” Cage said.

Veterans in need of assistance should call 1-800-MICH-VET or visit Michigan.gov/MVAA.

srahal@detroitnews.com