STATUS: Open

SERVICE AREA: Macomb County, except Center Line, Eastpointe, and Warren south of 11 Mile/696. Funding north of 26 Mile Road varies.

CLIENTS SERVED: Macomb County individuals and families experiencing a temporary household crisis, particularly those at risk of eviction, utility shutoff, loss of basic needs, or hunger.

DESCRIPTION: Good Shepherd Coalition is a faith-based coalition that helps Macomb County households bridge gaps when other assistance does not cover the full need. GSC provides casework, resource navigation, referrals, and limited financial assistance intended to cover the final portion of an eligible crisis rather than large balances. The organization works with member churches and community agencies to coordinate assistance. GSC does not provide temporary housing, hotel/motel assistance, vehicle assistance, upcoming rent or utilities without a pending crisis, fuel/gas cards, or housing relocation assistance. It is not a shelter, housing authority, or housing voucher agency.

SERVICES / PROGRAMS:

• Emergency Financial Assistance: Limited assistance for formal eviction cases and pending utility disconnections. GSC generally provides a small amount needed to bring the remaining eligible balance to $0 after other assistance and the household’s contribution have been considered. Assistance is not guaranteed.
• Eviction Assistance: Reviews formal eviction cases. Applicants must provide court documentation, an MDHHS SER determination, proof of Macomb Community Action status/waitlist, a complete landlord ledger, information about other assistance, and the amount the household can contribute. A 7-Day Notice is not sufficient.
• Utility Assistance: May provide limited assistance toward a pending utility disconnection. Applicants must provide the full DTE or Consumers Energy account number and all pages of the MDHHS SER determination letter. GSC does not generally assist with utilities that are simply past due without a pending disconnection date.
• Food Referrals: Connects households with food pantries and other food resources rather than providing a general food-purchase benefit.
• Resource Navigation & Casework: Helps households identify and coordinate other available government, community, and faith-based resources. GSC encourages applicants to use MDHHS and Macomb Community Action before requesting GSC assistance.
• Holiday Assistance: Referral-based holiday assistance for eligible Macomb County families. The current 2026 program is open through October 15, 2026, and families must be referred by a school or program social worker, teacher, IEP team member, MCCMH or MDHHS caseworker.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants must first apply for MDHHS State Emergency Relief (SER) and Macomb Community Action aid, and provide documentation of those applications or determinations. Then, first-time applicants can complete the online GSC assistance application. After submission, all communication about the case is sent by email. The review process takes 10–14 days after all required information is received. Returning applicants should not fill out another application and should, instead, reply to their email communications with GSC.