2023
Dear friend,
Housing stability is not just a basic necessity but the bedrock of a fulfilling life. It provides security, comfort, and peace and is fundamental to mental and physical health, faith, and well-being. Yet, for many in our community, this stability is a luxury they cannot afford. This report aims to shed light on the critical issue of affordable housing and the vital role that Good Samaritan plays in addressing it.
Good Samaritan’s impact on Ottawa County residents is profound. For 55 years, we have been instrumental in helping individuals and families move beyond surviving to become thriving members of this community. Good Samaritan is actively involved in the lives of the neighbors we serve, assisting many households to find safe, stable, and affordable housing while helping people break the cycles of poverty.
The need for affordable housing in Ottawa County is reaching critical levels. Despite the challenges, the dedicated team at Good Samaritan is unwavering in their commitment to finding solutions for our clients. The efforts of our team have been instrumental in helping residents maintain family unity and safety.
The high demand for our services, as reflected in the numbers in this report, underscores the urgency of the situation. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all who have supported our mission, enabling us to change lives by helping Ottawa County residents find and sustain affordable housing.
Sincerely,
Brian J. De Vos
Executive Director, Good Samaritan
Who We Are
At its core, Good Samaritan is all about loving our neighbors.
For more than 50 years, Good Samaritan has served the needs of our under-served and underprivileged Ottawa County neighbors. Throughout our long history and with deep ties to our community, Good Samaritan has effectively partnered and collaborated with businesses, local governments, faith-based organizations, and other nonprofits to provide viable solutions to some of our region’s most essential and fundamental needs.
Today, Good Samaritan is a team of passionate people working toward the vision of a healthy, engaged, and compassionate community by ending homelessness and poverty in Ottawa County.
We believe that housing is the foundation for stability and flourishing. With housing in place, a person can focus on setting and achieving their goals to reach stability and ultimately contribute to a thriving community. No matter where someone is in their journey, Good Samaritan is here to connect individuals and families to secure, sustainable housing and supportive programs that build stable, thriving communities.
Our History
In 1969, a group of 18 faith leaders met in response to the growing social needs in the region. This interdenominational group of men and women felt the faith community needed to respond to the growing need by creating a center offering direct services to meet the growing needs of vulnerable populations throughout Holland and the greater Ottawa County community.
This new center launched as a way for the faith community to show neighborly love to growing populations in the area that had trouble connecting and feeling like they belonged within this vibrant community.
For this small group of visionaries, the biblical illustration of a good Samaritan embodied the character of this new faith-based organization—a place that recognizes the sacred worth of all people.
What started as a community center providing services like a clothing closet, food pantry, adult literacy classes, and tutoring services for youth has shifted over the last 50 years to the changing dynamics and needs of the surrounding community.
Today, we embody the character of the story of the good Samaritan by unlocking housing opportunities for every person in Ottawa County. We believe that housing is the foundation for stability and flourishing—and we know that providing solutions to one of humanity’s most basic needs is also a great opportunity to show neighborly love when people need it most.
Good Samaritan launches
Model changes to clearinghouse, launching Love INC., now a nationwide model
Partners with World Vision to mentor refugees and families that were homeless
One of the first faith-based organizations to contract with the Federal Government under Welfare Reform Act
Good Samaritan begins addressing poverty at the neighborhood level, helping neighbors work together to improve quality of live
After being the first Circles site in Michigan, the program adjusts to take a two-generation approach to poverty reduction
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, an eviction prevention program launches to help prevent homelessness
What We Do
Good Samaritan is a free service for anyone in Ottawa County and the best first step when someone experiences a housing crisis or homelessness. We connect neighbors to secure, sustainable housing and supportive programs that build stable and thriving communities.
In close partnerships with other nonprofit organizations, landlords, local courts, and many others, Good Samaritan provides solutions for people to exit homelessness and break the cycles of poverty for good.
Our Work
Preventing Homelessness
We collaborate with tenants, landlords, and Ottawa County courts to prevent evictions, offering short-term financial aid via a pay-forward initiative. For individuals facing housing loss, we strive to discover innovative housing alternatives, aiming to minimize emergency shelter stays and mitigate the emotional toll of homelessness whenever possible.
Ending Homelessness
As Ottawa County’s designated housing assessment and resource agency, we’re committed to assisting anyone experiencing homelessness. Through tailored solutions and person-centered case management services, we work to swiftly achieve housing stability. We believe homelessness should be brief and rare, so we explore diverse avenues to attain housing stability.
Ending Poverty
Once households are ready to take the next step from surviving to thriving in their community, we offer relationally-based support services to help people establish and meet their goals, breaking the cycles of poverty.
Affordable Housing
Good Samaritan’s property management department provides professional, holistic property management services for investment property owners. GSM Property Management prioritizes affordable housing but also works with owners desiring market rate rents.
Preventing Homelessness
We collaborate with tenants, landlords, and Ottawa County courts to prevent evictions, offering short-term financial aid via a pay-forward initiative. For individuals facing housing loss, we strive to discover innovative housing alternatives, aiming to minimize emergency shelter stays and mitigate the emotional toll of homelessness whenever possible.
Ending Homelessness
As Ottawa County’s designated housing assessment and resource agency, we’re committed to assisting anyone experiencing homelessness. Through tailored solutions and person-centered case management services, we work to swiftly achieve housing stability. We believe homelessness should be brief and rare, so we explore diverse avenues to attain housing stability.
Ending Poverty
Once households are ready to take the next step from surviving to thriving in their community, we offer relationally-based support services to help people establish and meet their goals, breaking the cycles of poverty.
Affordable Housing
Good Samaritan’s property management department provides professional, holistic property management services for investment property owners. GSM Property Management prioritizes affordable housing but also works with owners desiring market rate rents.
Preventing Homelessness
Evictions prevented for Ottawa County neighbors, helping people remain housed.
Total amount dispersed to help prevent evictions and keep people housed.
99.6% of clients remain stably housed
3-months after completing Eviction Prevention programming.
In May 2023, Good Samaritan was selected by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA)to participate in a new Shelter Diversion pilot program, a nationally recognized best practice to prevent homelessness. Good Samaritan’s shelter diversion program launched in July 2023.
Ending Homelessness
8,449 People Contacted Good Samaritan
The annual number of people who contacted Good Samaritan when facing homelessness or another housing crisis.
59.31% of people working with Good Samaritan were experiencing homelessness for the very first time.
13.96% of people experiencing homelessness in our community are aged 55+. Ottawa County seniors is the fastest-growing segment of people served by Good Samaritan.
people exited homelessness and into safe, stable, and affordable housing.
Ending Poverty
Nearly 1 in 3 Ottawa County households are experiencing poverty or are employed—many working multiple jobs—but struggle to make ends meet.
As part of its poverty-ending efforts, Good Samaritan operates Circles Ottawa County. Circles is a nationwide evidence-based program and innovative way of connecting people across socioeconomic lines to move individuals and families out of poverty.
Our poverty-ending program is uniquely designed to reduce poverty by helping low-income individuals expand their social capital while bringing the community together in solidarity to reduce the barriers that keep people in poverty. Circles is made up of people who want to make a change in their own life and the lives around them.
Affordable Housing
Good Samaritan believes that affordable, safe and habitable housing is the foundation for stability and flourishing.
Good Samaritan’s property management department, GSM Property Management, offers inclusive property management services to landlords and their renters.
While overseeing more than 30 units last year, GSM Property Management also handled:
3 water lines replaced
101 gas bills paid
8 HVAC jobs
13 electrician service calls
Financial Impact
Partner with us
Donate
While the services provided by Good Samaritan are free to our community, they are not free to operate. We’re journeying with people on their paths out of poverty, and you can help. Every dollar you give to Good Samaritan allows us to continue programs that effectively serve our community. Thank you for supporting your Ottawa County neighbors. You can make a gift to Good Samaritan online today or consider options for planned giving.
Volunteer
As a community-centered organization, we rely on the community to help Good Samaritan operate. There are a number of opportunities to engage with the work of Good Samaritan and help families move from crisis to stability, and from stability to thriving.