Meeting Basic Needs

In Southeastern Michigan, more than 40 percent of families struggle to meet their basic needs. At United Way, we mobilize a network of hundreds of partners and thousands of donors, advocates and volunteers to provide help to families who need it most.

Making a difference for ALICE families

More than 40 percent of families in Southeastern Michigan struggle to afford basic needs including food, housing and health care. These families are ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. United Way invests in direct support and programs to help families in crisis stay in their homes and put food on the table. And when need spikes during a community emergency, be it a natural disaster or pandemic, United Way is uniquely positioned to immediately respond to increased demand for emergency services. Our crisis intervention fund ensures that whether an individual household is in need, or we’re facing a community emergency, United Way can put resources where they’re needed most. Here's a list of our priority initiatives and programs:

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Related Programs

These programs help families in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties meet their basic needs.

Our Impact

Boots on the Ground: PATH at Community Housing Network (CHN)
“Other funding sources can't always support certain things so there is a vacuum. Thankfully, United Way has partnered with us to fund those gaps with unrestricted dollars.”

Mellena Martinez, director of housing resources at CHN

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partners funded for basic needs services.

in funding provided for food, housing and health care services.

Community Information Exchange: Providing Coordinated, Human-Centered Care
“Not only did she (Jennifer) help me, she followed up, made my appointment and we talked for quite a while. It was like she really cared.”

Clara Rigsby

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NETWORK OF PARTNERSHIPS HELPS DETROITERS STAY IN THEIR HOMES
“I’m thankful; Just thankful.”

Renetta

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