LANSING, Mich. - State Representative Dudley Spade (D-Tipton) today announced that the Lenawee Housing Development Coalition (LHDC) will be receiving a $500,000 grant from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) as part of the department's Campaign to End Homelessness Housing Initiatives. LHDC will serve as the lead agency on the project which will use the funds to create five units of permanent supportive housing for chronically homeless individuals in Lenawee County.
"Having a decent place to live is a basic issue of human dignity," Representative Spade said. "It would be easy to believe living in a place like Lenawee County, that no one in our community faces the indignity of homelessness. Unfortunately, though, some Lenawee County residents will be forced to spend their nights this winter on the street. It is incumbent on as citizens, especially in this time of communal charity and good will toward men, that we do not overlook the least among us and not forget the spirit of giving and sacrifice that is at the heart of the Christmas holiday. I commend the Lenawee Housing Development Coalition for recognizing this important issue and actively pursuing the necessary steps to ensure that we put an end to homelessness in Lenawee County."
The "Chronically Homeless Initiative" began in October, 2005 when MSHDA, working with the Department of Community Health (DCH) and the Department of Human Services (DHS), identified eight urban locations within the state (Battle Creek, Benton Harbor, Flint, Lansing, Muskegon, Pontiac, Saginaw, and Detroit) with the largest concentration of people who are considered to be "chronically homeless". Since then, the program has expanded to include every region of the state. Through this initiative the state hopes to build upon the strength of existing local partnerships in order to create permanent solutions for those persons who have a history of chronic homelessness.
Over 30,000 Michiganders sleep in emergency shelters or on the streets each night. In Detroit alone, there are approximately 11,000 homeless individuals and/or families, 6,000 of whom are without any form of shelter. A separate and compelling statistic is that approximately 6,000 men and women across the state of Michigan are considered chronically homeless. This population, which comprises 15-20% of Michigan's homeless, utilizes 75% of the resources. They typically have mental health problems, often exacerbated by substance abuse.
"It is crucial for the health of our community that we address the needs of those who face severe barriers to finding permanent housing," Rep. Spade said. "Proactively pursuing a solution to the needs of the chronically homeless will help to free up much needed resources for those individuals who currently must go without the temporary assistance that they need. This is an investment that will help put more of our citizens and families back on their feet faster."