Article Summary –
The tragic deaths of two children in a Detroit family’s van have highlighted the severe challenges faced by homeless individuals, exacerbated by inadequate support systems and a shortage of affordable housing. Despite efforts by organizations and the state to address the issue, such as providing new homes and implementing a statewide housing plan, the homelessness crisis persists due to factors like insufficient shelter capacity, funding challenges, and the decentralized nature of Michigan’s shelter system. Proposed legislative changes and federal support are crucial to alleviating the crisis, yet potential federal cuts, including an 84% staff reduction at HUD, threaten to undermine progress.
When two Detroit children tragically died from freezing in a van in mid-February, national attention quickly focused on the dire circumstances outlined in their story.
Seven people had been living in the van that entered a Greektown parking garage hours before the fatalities; temperatures were below freezing. The family had been homeless since November, and the mother had repeatedly sought help without success.
The city is investigating to identify what went wrong. The family has been provided a new home by Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries and the city.
Lisa Chapman, director of public policy at the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness, highlighted the challenges of homelessness and the overwhelming strain on support systems.
“It’s a full-time job,” Chapman noted, discussing how one person documented their eviction and homelessness experiences, working tirelessly to find housing.
Homelessness on the rise
Nationally, homelessness hit a record high in 2023. Many Americans are one crisis away from homelessness; a 2024 Forbes Advisors survey found about one in four people have less than $1,000 saved for emergencies.
Michigan reported approximately 33,200 homeless individuals in 2023, per state data, a 2% increase from the previous year. Preliminary data for 2024 suggests a slight decrease.
Christina Soulard, homeless solutions program manager at the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, stated that while data is useful for funding discussions, it doesn’t capture the full scope of the issue, missing those couch surfing or in abandoned buildings.
Chapman described the situation as a “cascade of events,” with many lacking a safety net or savings to escape homelessness.
A faulty system and a housing shortage
Shelters and support services struggle with increased demand due to funding issues, Chapman said. In Michigan’s decentralized shelter system, challenges vary by location.
Some counties lack homeless shelters. Even where shelters exist, access can be difficult due to criteria like age or gender restrictions. Navigating resources may overwhelm without a case manager, and technology access issues complicate housing searches.
The shortage of affordable, safe housing compounds the problem; Michigan was short 141,000 housing units as of last July, according to housing authority estimates.
Chapman emphasized the need for quality housing across all income levels and areas, not just low-income neighborhoods.
The statewide housing plan aims to address this, with a goal of building or rehabilitating 75,000 houses by 2027, including 39,000 affordable rental units.
Available resources like housing choice vouchers offer rent subsidies for low-income individuals, and local agencies provide services to prevent homelessness.
Residents can contact Michigan 2-1-1 for round-the-clock assistance with food, shelter, or child care. A list of Michigan shelters is available here. Warming centers, found here, offer refuge from the cold.
The road ahead
Lawmakers are considering policy reforms to combat homelessness. This year, Democrats proposed bills for rent control and allowing tenants to deduct repair costs from rent.
Ongoing collaboration between officials and local organizers is vital, Soulard said, emphasizing the need for federal support. The Youth Homelessness Demonstration Project and Continuum of Care offer funding for homelessness initiatives.
Soulard expressed concern about reduced federal support, citing NPR’s report on proposed significant cuts at HUD.
“Advocacy at the federal level is crucial,” Soulard stressed, urging for increased funding to meet broader needs.
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