A Hoarding Alliance local resource guide

Hoarding support in Alpena, Michigan.

A respectful place to begin, whether you are looking for support for yourself, worried about someone you love, or trying to respond to a safety, housing, health, or practical concern in Alpena or elsewhere in Alpena County.

People first.Then the stuff.A Fight the Blight initiative

Start here - Fight the Blight

You do not have to solve the whole situation before asking for help.

Our virtual groups give people affected by hoarding and clutter concerns a place to connect from Alpena, Alpena County, and nearby communities. We can help you think through what is happening and what kind of next step may fit.

Connect with Fight the Blight Call or text (724) 739-3785
For immediate danger

Call 911 for a medical emergency, fire, violence, or immediate threat. Northeast Michigan CMH provides after-hours crisis support at 800-442-7315; call or text 988 for nationwide crisis support. If you are without housing or facing eviction, contact NEMCSA Homeless Assistance at 989-358-4678 and confirm current intake.

First conversations

A few good places to start

You do not need to know the perfect service name before reaching out. These organizations can help you understand the landscape and identify a next step.

Qualified public behavioral-health, substance-use, developmental-disability, peer, wellness, and care-navigation pathway - Alpena County; assessment, eligibility, referral, insurance, and capacity rules apply

Northeast Michigan CMH Authority

Northeast Michigan CMH is Alpena County's public community mental-health pathway and provides access, assessment, behavioral-health, substance-use, case-management, peer-support, wellness, and crisis services. Call to ask what fit is available and whether a hoarding-related concern can be addressed through an appropriate service. It is not organizing or cleanup.

Review Alpena County CMH services 989-356-2161
Nonprofit community-action, housing, senior, utility, and benefits-navigation pathway - Alpena and northeast Michigan; program, income, funding, documents, and capacity rules apply

Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency

NEMCSA is a nonprofit community-action agency with programs that include housing assistance, senior services, and other practical supports. Call the Alpena office to describe the current barrier and ask which program is appropriate. It is not emergency dispatch, clinical care, or guaranteed assistance.

Review NEMCSA programs 989-358-4600
Official county government navigator for public services, permits, health, housing, and local administration - Alpena County; department, jurisdiction, appointment, and service limits apply

Alpena County Government

Alpena County's official site is a starting point for current county departments, forms, public services, and local contacts. Use it to identify the right county pathway for a health, housing, safety, permit, or benefits concern, then confirm the department's current instructions. It is not emergency response or private cleanup.

Review Alpena County services 989-354-9500
Open-door public transit, Dial-A-Ride, and wellness-transportation pathway - Alpena, Alcona, and Montmorency counties; route, reservation, fare, mobility, and schedule rules apply

Thunder Bay Transportation Authority

Thunder Bay Transportation Authority provides public transportation and Dial-A-Ride services in the three-county area and partners with local agencies. Ask about accessible service, a ride to an appointment, or Rides to Wellness in Alpena County. Transportation is not emergency response and a scheduled ride is not guaranteed until confirmed.

Review Thunder Bay transit 989-354-2487
Qualified civil-legal assistance for low-income residents and adults age 60+ - Alpena office serving eligible northeast Michigan matters; case type, income, age, conflict, and capacity rules apply

Legal Services of Northern Michigan - Alpena

Legal Services of Northern Michigan's Alpena office provides civil-legal intake for eligible people, including housing and benefits-related issues. Call to confirm whether the matter, household, and county qualify and what documents are needed. Legal aid is not emergency response, mediation in every case, or a guarantee of representation.

Review local legal aid 989-356-9081
Free, confidential, 24/7 community-resource navigation - Michigan, including Alpena and Alpena County; provider eligibility, hours, funding, and capacity vary

Michigan 211

Call 211 or search Michigan 211 for current housing, shelter, food, utilities, health care, transportation, benefits, and other local services. Ask for Alpena County options and confirm details with each provider. A referral does not guarantee funding, an appointment, shelter, transportation, or another placement, and 211 is not emergency dispatch.

Search Michigan 211 211

Safety and stability

When the concern involves safety, housing, or crisis

These pathways serve different situations. Read the labels carefully before calling, especially when a response may involve crisis care, protective services, shelter, housing rules, legal advocacy, or emergency dispatch.

Immediate police, fire, or medical dispatch - Alpena and surrounding jurisdictions; use for fire, serious injury, violence, or an immediate threat

911 Emergency Services

Call 911 when there is immediate danger, fire, a medical emergency, violence, or a threat that cannot wait for a planned service. Emergency dispatch is not a hoarding-support program, counseling service, housing placement, or cleanup provider.

Call 911 911
24/7 qualified behavioral-health crisis, safety-planning, and service-connection pathway - Alpena County; crisis assessment, response, eligibility, and follow-up rules apply

Northeast Michigan CMH After-Hours Crisis

Northeast Michigan CMH provides an after-hours crisis line for urgent behavioral-health concerns, safety planning, crisis response, and connection to next steps. Call 800-442-7315. Call 911 for immediate physical danger; this is not cleanup or housing placement.

Call the after-hours crisis line 800-442-7315
24/7 call, text, or chat crisis connection - Michigan and nationwide; not a substitute for 911 when immediate physical danger is present

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and Michigan Crisis and Access Line

Call or text 988 for immediate emotional or behavioral-health crisis support and connection to local resources. Michigan's crisis system also routes calls originating in Michigan through the Michigan Crisis and Access Line. Use 911 for fire, serious injury, violence, or an immediate threat.

Call or text 988 988
Protective-services reporting and assessment for suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults - Michigan, including Alpena County; investigation and eligibility rules apply

Michigan Adult Protective Services

Michigan Adult Protective Services accepts reports involving suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult. Call 855-444-3911. APS is not a cleanup service, emergency medical response, or guaranteed housing placement; call 911 for immediate danger.

Review Michigan APS 855-444-3911
Housing assessment and coordinated-entry pathway for homelessness, eviction risk, shelter, and related needs - Alpena County and northeast Michigan; intake, documents, priority, funding, and capacity rules apply

NEMCSA Homeless Assistance

NEMCSA's Homeless Assistance pathway helps people in the region ask about coordinated entry, shelter, housing, and other homelessness services. Call 989-358-4678 or text 989-590-9824 to describe the situation and confirm the current intake route. This is not emergency dispatch or a guaranteed placement.

Start a housing assessment 989-358-4678
Nonprofit emergency shelter and domestic-violence/homelessness support - Alpena and surrounding northeast Michigan; current space, intake, safety, and program rules must be confirmed

Sunrise Mission

Sunrise Mission describes itself as a longstanding homeless and domestic-violence shelter serving Alpena and surrounding communities. Review its current instructions before traveling and ask about availability, safety planning, eligibility, and what belongings or pets can be accommodated. Shelter is not guaranteed and is not a clinical or cleanup service.

Review Sunrise Mission
Emergency shelter for adult men in crisis - Alpena; the organization describes stays of up to 12 days, with intake, space, and eligibility limits; call before traveling

Emergency Resource Room at the Center of Charity

The Emergency Resource Room at the Center of Charity describes an emergency shelter for adult men in crisis for up to 12 days. Call Christina at 989-884-1060 to confirm current availability, intake, eligibility, and the limits of the program. It is not emergency medical care, family shelter, or a guaranteed placement.

Call the Emergency Resource Room 989-884-1060
Municipal rental-registration, property-maintenance, permit, and housing-safety pathway - City of Alpena; city-limits, complaint, notice, correction, and appeal rules apply

City of Alpena Housing and Code Pathway

For a concern within Alpena city limits, use the city's official government site to identify current planning, rental, permit, or code contacts. Ask which jurisdiction and complaint or inspection process applies before sharing details. This is not counseling, crisis response, housing placement, or private cleanup.

Review City of Alpena services 989-354-1700
Official county route for current public-health, environmental, sanitation, and local-service contacts - Alpena County; department jurisdiction, appointment, and inspection limits apply

Alpena County Public-Service and Health Navigator

Alpena County's official government site can route residents to current county departments when a concern involves sanitation, environmental health, waste, pests, public health, or another county service. Ask which office and process fit the situation. It is not emergency response or private cleanup; call 911 for immediate danger.

Review county health and service contacts 989-354-9500

People and practical help

Housing, food, care, transportation, and ongoing support

These listings connect the local community with housing, food, behavioral health, benefits, transit, survivor advocacy, disability support, peer support, and practical resources. Ask about current availability, cost, scope, consent, and safety before relying on them.

Nonprofit housing, home-repair, utility, senior, and practical-support pathway - Alpena County and northeast Michigan; income, application, funding, documents, and capacity rules vary

NEMCSA Community Action and Home Support

NEMCSA can help eligible households ask about community-action programs, housing stability, home repair, utilities, senior services, and related practical supports. Call to describe the need and confirm the current program, service area, application requirements, and waitlist. Assistance is not guaranteed.

Review NEMCSA support 989-358-4600
Current county transportation option for medical and wellness trips, including Alpena County; reservation, fare, mileage, companion, and schedule rules apply

Thunder Bay Transportation Rides to Wellness

Thunder Bay's Rides to Wellness program is described as available to all riders for Alpena County trips during its current weekday service window. The site lists a $15 one-way Alpena County fare, a $10 extra-stop charge, and a free companion, but confirm the current details when booking. Call at least one hour before an appointment.

Review wellness transportation 989-354-2487
Peer-run mental-health drop-in and community-support pathway - Alpena; current directory listing, hours, eligibility, privacy, and capacity should be confirmed before visiting

Bay View Center Peer-Run Drop-In Center

Michigan's current mental-health drop-in directory lists Bay View Center at 710 N Second Avenue in Alpena with phone 989-340-0955. Ask about current hours, peer activities, access, and whether the setting fits the person's goals. It is not emergency response, clinical treatment by itself, or cleanup.

Review Bay View Center 989-340-0955
Local food-pantry and community-outreach pathway - Alpena; schedule, household, supply, faith-community, and referral rules should be confirmed

Trinity Episcopal Church Outreach

Trinity Episcopal Church describes local outreach that includes food assistance. Review the current page or contact the church to confirm pantry hours, location, household requirements, and supplies before traveling. Food assistance is not medical care, emergency shelter, or a hoarding-specific service.

Review Trinity outreach
State food-assistance and benefits application pathway - Michigan, including Alpena County; income, household, work-rule, documentation, and recertification rules apply

Michigan Food Assistance and MI Bridges

Michigan's Food Assistance Program and MI Bridges can help eligible households apply for food benefits and manage state assistance. Review current eligibility before applying, and ask 211 or county human services for local application support if needed. Benefits are not emergency food delivery or a crisis service.

Review Michigan food assistance
State housing-navigation and locally funded shelter or rental-assistance pathway - Michigan, including Alpena County; local intake, eligibility, funding, and capacity rules apply

Michigan State Housing Development Authority Homeless Help

Michigan's housing agency explains how people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness can reach local agencies for shelter and rental assistance. Use it to understand the statewide pathway, then contact NEMCSA to confirm current Alpena-area options. It is not emergency dispatch or a guaranteed placement.

Review Michigan housing help
Statewide legal-aid and civil-legal referral search - Michigan, including Alpena County; income, case type, conflict, geography, and capacity rules apply

Michigan State Bar Legal Aid Directory

The State Bar of Michigan's legal-aid page helps residents find civil-legal assistance and referral options. Use it to ask about housing, benefits, guardianship, consumer, or other civil issues, then confirm whether a current provider serves Alpena County and whether the case qualifies. It is not emergency response or legal representation by itself.

Search legal-aid options
Private-pay hoarding and clutter support pathway for individuals, families, and practical assistance; scope, fees, scheduling, and service availability require confirmation

The Peer Tree

The Peer Tree is the private-pay pathway for hoarding and clutter support when a situation is outside grant-funded services or calls for ongoing practical help. Ask about current support groups, sorting or organizing assistance, decluttering, deep cleaning, or support for friends and family. This is not emergency response, therapy, housing placement, or a promise that a particular service is available in Alpena County.

Explore The Peer Tree
Digital peer-support pathway for people affected by hoarding and clutter concerns and friends or family supporters - online; current account, feature, group, cost, and availability terms apply; not therapy or emergency support

Unburied

Unburied, owned by The Peer Tree, offers a judgment-free digital pathway with peer support, structured tools, groups, and separate personal and supporter experiences. It can be used from Alpena or elsewhere, but it is not therapy, clinical care, crisis response, emergency service, housing placement, or cleanup.

Explore Unburied
Qualified-care, organizer, taskforce, and support search - national directory with Michigan and telehealth options; listings are not endorsements and credentials, cost, insurance, waitlist, and service-area rules vary

IOCDF Hoarding Resource Directory

The International OCD Foundation directory can be searched for clinicians, programs, support groups, organizers, and taskforces that identify hoarding-related experience. Providers submit their information and IOCDF does not endorse their competence. Verify credentials, fees, insurance, privacy, availability, and whether in-home or telehealth work fits. This is not emergency response.

Search the IOCDF directory
Free community-resource search for food, shelter, housing, utilities, transportation, and health supports - Alpena County; each provider's eligibility, hours, and capacity vary

Michigan 211 Housing, Food, and Utility Search

Michigan 211 can be used online to narrow resources by Alpena County and need. Search for food, utility, shelter, transportation, or housing options, then verify current details with the provider before sharing sensitive information or traveling. This is a navigation service, not a guarantee of assistance or emergency dispatch.

Search local 211 resources
Qualified public peer-support, wellness, recovery-planning, and whole-health pathway - Alpena County; registration, consumer, clinical, and capacity rules apply

Northeast Michigan CMH Peer and Wellness Pathway

Northeast Michigan CMH can explain current peer, wellness, recovery, and support options for eligible residents. Ask about the appropriate access point and whether a group or service fits the person's goals. These are not necessarily hoarding-specific treatment, private organizing, or emergency services.

Review peer and wellness options 989-356-2161
Official local-government route for permits, county programs, departments, and public-service contacts - Alpena County; current department, jurisdiction, and appointment rules apply

Alpena County Public-Service Directory

Use the official county site to locate current departments, forms, public notices, and local service contacts. If you are unsure whether a concern belongs to the county, city, health system, landlord, or another agency, call the county and ask where to start. It is not a crisis or cleanup provider.

Browse the county directory 989-354-9500

A note from the Alliance

Start with the person. Then decide what the situation needs.

This guide is anchored in Alpena, Michigan, and includes city, county, state, nonprofit, national, and independent pathways. A listing here does not mean Fight the Blight endorses every provider or can guarantee availability. The Hoarding Alliance is not a city or county agency, therapy practice, emergency service, or cleanup company. We will keep reviewing this page, but please confirm details directly before relying on them.

Need help choosing a path? Contact Fight the Blight