A Hoarding Alliance local resource guide

Hoarding support in Hillsdale, 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 Hillsdale or elsewhere in Hillsdale County.

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

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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 Hillsdale, Hillsdale County, and nearby communities. We can help you think through what is happening and what kind of next step may fit.

For immediate danger

Call 911 for a medical emergency, fire, violence, or immediate threat. LifeWays provides 24-hour crisis support at 800-284-8288; call or text 988 for nationwide crisis support. If you are without housing or facing eviction, contact Community Action Agency's Hillsdale housing specialists at 517-437-3346 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 mental-health, substance-use, developmental-disability, peer, wellness, and care-navigation pathway - Hillsdale and Jackson counties; assessment, eligibility, referral, insurance, and capacity rules apply

LifeWays Community Mental Health Services

LifeWays is the public community mental-health authority for Hillsdale County and provides access, assessment, behavioral-health, substance-use, case-management, peer-support, and wellness pathways. 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.

Housing Assessment and Resource Agency for homelessness, eviction, rapid rehousing, utilities, and referrals - Hillsdale County; intake, funding, documents, priority, and capacity rules apply

Community Action Agency - Hillsdale Housing Assistance

Community Action Agency's Hillsdale housing specialists help people who are homeless, facing eviction or foreclosure, or seeking referrals for housing stabilization. Call to describe the immediate barrier and confirm current eligibility, documents, funding, and available programs. A referral does not guarantee housing or payment assistance.

Public-health, environmental-health, clinic, WIC, and community-safety pathway - Hillsdale County; program, appointment, jurisdiction, and emergency limits apply

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency is the local public-health pathway for Hillsdale County. Call or review its current services to ask about environmental health, clinic, WIC, immunization, and community-health questions. It is not emergency response or whole-home cleanup.

Public benefits, protective-services, economic assistance, medical assistance, and social-service navigation - Hillsdale County; income, household, documentation, program, and processing rules apply

Hillsdale County Department of Health and Human Services

Hillsdale County DHHS is a local entry point for state-administered economic, social, and medical assistance and protective-services reporting. Ask which current benefit or case-management pathway fits the household's needs and what documents are required. Benefits are not emergency dispatch, cleanup, or guaranteed housing.

Free, confidential, 24/7 community-resource navigation - Michigan, including Hillsdale and Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale 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.

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.

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 - Hillsdale 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.

24/7 behavioral-health crisis, safety-planning, and service-connection pathway - Hillsdale and Jackson counties; crisis assessment, response, eligibility, and follow-up rules apply

LifeWays 24-Hour Crisis

LifeWays provides 24-hour crisis support and can help assess urgent behavioral-health concerns, safety planning, crisis response, and next steps. Call 800-284-8288. Call 911 for immediate physical danger; this is not cleanup or housing placement.

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.

Protective-services reporting and assessment for suspected abuse, neglect, self-neglect, or exploitation of vulnerable adults - Michigan, including Hillsdale 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.

Confidential domestic-violence shelter, advocacy, counseling, and safety-planning pathway - Hillsdale County; space, confidentiality, safety, and program rules apply

Domestic Harmony

Domestic Harmony provides emergency response and supportive services for people affected by domestic and sexual violence, including temporary shelter, counseling, advocacy, and a 24-hour crisis line. If calling could be unsafe, use a safer device when possible; call 911 for immediate danger.

Homelessness, eviction, foreclosure, rapid-rehousing, utility, and housing-referral pathway - Hillsdale County; intake, priority, funding, documents, and capacity rules apply

Community Action Agency HARA Housing Specialists

Community Action Agency's HARA program helps Hillsdale County residents identify emergency housing and stabilization resources. Call 517-437-3346 or 800-750-9300 before traveling and confirm current intake, space, eligibility, and required documents. It is not emergency dispatch or a cleanup provider.

Municipal property-maintenance, nuisance, housing-safety, and inspection pathway - City of Hillsdale; jurisdiction, notice, correction, and appeal rules apply

City of Hillsdale Code Enforcement and Inspections

The city's Code Enforcement Office handles property-maintenance complaints including trash or debris, basic living conditions, and other possible code concerns. Contact the office to confirm jurisdiction and process before relying on an inspection. It is not counseling, crisis response, housing placement, or private cleanup.

County building, permit, and inspection pathway - Hillsdale County; jurisdiction, permit, inspection, correction, and appeal rules apply

Hillsdale County Inspection Office

Hillsdale County's Inspection Office can answer questions about county building inspections and permits, especially when a concern involves structural, electrical, mechanical, or plumbing work. Call to confirm the current process and jurisdiction. It is not emergency response, counseling, or cleanup.

Public-health and environmental-safety consultation for sanitation, waste, water, and community-health concerns - Hillsdale County; jurisdiction and inspection limits apply

Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Environmental Health

The community health agency can help clarify whether a sanitation, waste, pest, water, or other environmental-health concern falls within public-health authority and what information or inspection process applies. It is not emergency response, private cleanup, or a guarantee of enforcement.

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.

Local peer-operated drop-in, targeted case-management, parent and youth peer-support, and recovery-group pathway - Hillsdale; hours, program, eligibility, and capacity rules apply

A.R.E., Inc. Hillsdale Drop-In

LifeWays lists A.R.E.'s Hillsdale Drop-In at 64 Hillsdale Street with peer-delivered and operated support services, targeted case management, parent support, youth peer support, and recovery groups. Call before traveling to confirm current hours, eligibility, and services. It is not emergency dispatch or cleanup.

Peer-led wellness, recovery-planning, nutrition, and whole-health support - Hillsdale and Jackson counties; registration, consumer, medical-clearance, schedule, and capacity rules apply

LifeWays Wellness and Peer-Led Groups

LifeWays lists peer-led wellness programs including Whole Health Action Management and Wellness Recovery Action Planning, with some sessions in Hillsdale. Review current schedules and registration requirements and ask whether the group fits the person's goals. These are not hoarding-specific treatment or emergency services.

Utility-assistance, food, housing, and self-sufficiency navigation - Hillsdale County; income, household, document, funding, priority, and capacity rules apply

Community Action Agency Utility and Self-Sufficiency Support

Community Action Agency may help with past-due utilities and connects residents with food, housing, and other self-sufficiency resources. Call to describe the barrier and confirm current program rules, funding, documents, and availability. Assistance is not guaranteed and the agency is not a cleanup provider.

Seasonal nighttime warming center, food, clothing, showers, laundry, and basic-needs pathway - Hillsdale; seasonal schedule, safety, and capacity rules apply

Share the Warmth of Hillsdale County

Share the Warmth describes a seasonal nighttime warming center at 7 S. Manning Street in Hillsdale, with food, clothing, showers, laundry, Wi-Fi, and other basic support. Its published season is November 1 through April 1, 4:30 p.m. to 8 a.m.; confirm current opening status before relying on it. It is not year-round emergency shelter or medical care.

Food-pantry and fresh-food search - Hillsdale County and south Michigan; pantry schedule, household form, location, and supply rules vary

South Michigan Food Bank Find Food

The South Michigan Food Bank's current food-finder lists Hillsdale-area pantry and fresh-food sites and states that an ID is not required at listed sites, although a household information form may be requested. Check the current schedule and availability before traveling. Food access is not emergency medical care or housing placement.

Local nonprofit food-pantry pathway - Hillsdale County; schedule, household, intake, and supply rules apply

King's Kupboard at Trinity Lutheran Church

King's Kupboard describes a food pantry serving the Hillsdale community. Review the current pantry schedule and contact the church before traveling to confirm household rules, documents, and availability. This is not emergency medical care, housing placement, or a general cleanup service.

Local nonprofit food-pantry and family-support pathway - Hillsdale County; schedule, household, intake, and supply rules apply

St. Anthony Family Center

St. Anthony Family Center lists a food pantry serving the Hillsdale County community. Contact the center to confirm current schedule, eligibility, documents, and availability before traveling. Food access is not emergency medical care or housing placement.

Demand-response, curb-to-curb public transportation pathway - City of Hillsdale; reservation, service-area, fare, accessibility, and schedule rules apply

City of Hillsdale Dial-A-Ride

The City of Hillsdale operates Dial-A-Ride for local transportation. Call the dispatcher to confirm current hours, reservation timing, service area, fares, accessibility, and whether a trip to an appointment, pantry, shelter, or store can be arranged. Transportation is not emergency dispatch.

Public library, information, internet, and local-navigation pathway - Hillsdale; hours, computer, privacy, and service rules apply

Hillsdale District Library

The Hillsdale District Library can be a practical place to use public information resources, find local service contacts, and ask about current library programs or computer access. Confirm current hours and access rules directly. Library staff are not emergency responders, clinicians, housing providers, or cleanup professionals.

State food-assistance and benefits application pathway - Michigan, including Hillsdale County; income, work-rule, household, 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 and work-rule information 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.

Statewide legal-aid and civil-legal referral search - Michigan, including Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale County and whether the case qualifies. It is not emergency response or legal representation by itself.

State housing-navigation and locally funded shelter or rental-assistance pathway - Michigan, including Hillsdale 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 the Hillsdale HARA provider to confirm current local options. It is not emergency dispatch or a guaranteed placement.

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 Hillsdale County.

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 Hillsdale or elsewhere, but it is not therapy, clinical care, crisis response, emergency service, housing placement, or cleanup.

A note from the Alliance

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

This guide is anchored in Hillsdale, 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