This week, Good Samaritan took the next step toward ending homelessness in Ottawa County. People shouldn’t have to lose everything because of one setback, so Good Samaritan is working to help prevent evictions and keep people in their homes. This new housing program pulls together a unique community partnership between Good Samaritan and area tenants, landlords, and Courts.

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Good Samaritan first launched eviction prevention services in partnership with other local, state, and federal agencies. As these pandemic-era programs ended, the team at Good Samaritan started the work to build a sustainable, long-lasting prevention program as another tool to end homelessness in our community.

Good Samaritan joins a national trend among agencies focused on the work to end homelessness to incorporate tools aimed at preventing homeless from occurring. Similar models across the United States have a 95% success rate in avoiding evictions due to non-payment. After two years of programming, 98% of people receiving services through Good Samaritan have remained housed. Last year alone, Good Samaritan’s program helped keep 3,320 people from being evicted.

Ottawa County Eviction Prevention Program (OCEPP) works with tenants and landlords to offer repayment programming and supportive services that keep people in their homes. To qualify for eviction prevention services, a person must:

• rent in Ottawa County, Michigan
• have a household income that is at or below 50% of our area’s average median income
• have received a Notice to Quit or Court-Ordered Summons
• have a written or verbal lease agreement in place
• not owe more than $3,000 to the property owner.

For more details about Good Samaritan’s OCEPP or to apply for assistance, head to the Eviction Prevention page or call our offices in Holland or Grand Haven at (616)392-7159.