Housing Planners To Address Homelessness in Mackinac County

Eliminating homelessness in Mackinac, Chippewa, and Luce counties is the goal of a 10-year state plan under discussion by human service organizations, which met with the public Tuesday, September 19, to begin compiling ideas.

The plan is a requirement of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) and involves all 83 counties in Michigan. MSHDA provides funds for emergency shelters around the state.

Amid the peak summer employment months in Mackinac, Luce, and Chippewa counties, homelessness lingers and families seek assistance from area professionals.

"It's really tough when a family comes to your door who needs housing," said Lori Pieri, executive director of Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME) of Mackinac County. Since her organization provides houses for purchase, she refers families to Safe Haven in Sault Ste. Marie, the area's emergency housing facility.

Mrs. Pieri was the facilitator for the September 19 meeting at Community Action Agency in St. Ignace.

"Typically, people in the area rely on family and friends," she said, "but that's a short-term solution."

In June, 110 families, children, and single men and women were homeless or at risk of becoming homeless in the tri-county area, reported Bruce Beaudoin, resource manager with the Sault Ste. Marie Housing Commission. In August, 28 emergency applications were taken at the Mackinac County Department of Human Services, said Terri Bush, social services program director for the agency.

Public meetings also have also been held in Chippewa and Luce counties and comments from the three meetings will be included in a draft of the 10-year plan, which is expected to be presented at a 10 a.m. meeting Wednesday, October 4, at Hiawatha Behavioral Health on Elliott Street in St. Ignace.