A 2010 poll showed one in six Michigan residents knew someone who had been homeless in the past six months. And it showed that 33% of people in Michigan believe homelessness in their community had increased in the past six months, according to the Michigan Campaign to End Homelessness.

The event, combined with a similar event in Grand Haven, raised $12,000 last year, according to Lyn Raymond, coordinator for the Ottawa Area Housing Coalition.

Devon Stuit, a maternal and infant health provider at the Ottawa County Health Department, said she has seen an increase in the past year of people who are either homeless, or on the brink, seeking services.“It’s amazing how many people are living in a hotel or a car or a tent,” she said. “It’s getting worse all the time.”

Zeeland couple Bryan and Kaylin Van Dyke said while they don’t know anyone who is homeless, that doesn’t mean they don’t care about the issue. They attended the Holland lunch with their 16-month-old son, Alden.

“West Michigan is a giving, caring community,” Bryan Van Dyke said. “We want to support (this cause) any way we can.”

The Ottawa County Supportive Housing program provides safe, affordable housing options for people who are disabled and have low income due to their disability. The program currently has 45 rental housing units scattered throughout Holland, Zeeland, and Grand Haven, with vacancies in all three cities.

Applicants must meet income and other guidelines. For more information or for an application, visit heritagehomesinc.org/available-apartments.html

The Michigan Foreclosure Task Force reports that more than 220,000 homes have been foreclosed on in the state since 2009. The total is expected to climb to about 327,000 by the end of 2012, according to Neeta Delaney, co-director of the task force.

State and local leaders in the Campaign to End Homeless are working to minimize the number of foreclosures by pointing homeowners to free professional services to help families regain their footing and keep their homes. The state also has nearly $500 million in federal money available for short-term assistance.

“Homeowners have a much better chance of keeping their homes if they take advantage of available help and act promptly,” Gwen Robles, Community Action House foreclosure counselor said.  “They are entitled to a 90-day window to stay in their homes if they work with a housing counselor and the lender.”

“The first thing to do is make sure you are opening your mail and communicating with your lender. Not opening the mail is a huge factor in people losing their homes,” said Delaney, of the Foreclosure Task Force.  She further explained that as soon as people become aware that they may have trouble with mortgage payments, they should reach out to a certified foreclosure counselor.

“Unfortunately, there are still many families in the Ottawa County area who are at risk of losing their homes because they have lost jobs or are earning less,” said Andrea Fantin, foreclosure counselor also of Community Action House said. “We have excellent resources available, but it’s important for people to acknowledge their situation and take action.”

“With the increased number of foreclosures, it’s to be expected that it is going to result in some families becoming homeless or at the very least finding themselves precariously housed,” said Jason Weller, executive director of the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. “Michigan is blessed with a solid network of housing counselors to help.” Certified housing counselors are available in Ottawa County to provide free assistance to those who have fallen behind on mortgage payments and are concerned about foreclosures. Free legal services are also available. “Our counselors have had a lot of success in bringing homeowners together with lenders and preventing foreclosures,” said Lyn Raymond, Coordinator of the Ottawa County Continuum of Care.

The Holland City Council is currently debating about whether to continue funding local agencies that provide services to residents of the city. Saving homes from foreclosure benefits everyone in the community. “Of the 56 homes Community Action House foreclosure intervention specialists have assisted in saving in the past year, 12 were in the City of Holland.  That translates to nearly $28,000 in property taxes, not to mention nearly $80,000 in potential revenue to the public schools system because of the minor children in those households,” said Robles. 

Financial assistance is also available in many circumstances.  The federal government allocated $498.6 million for the Helping Michigan’s Hardest Hit Homeowners’ program, according to Mary Townley, director of Homeownership for the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA). The Hardest Hit program is expected to assist more than 50,000 households.  Homeowners can begin the process of applying for assistance online at www.stepforwardmichigan.org.  Homeowners can receive money in three circumstances:

•  Those receiving unemployment compensation can receive a subsidy of up to 50% of their mortgage payment, but not more than $750 a month, for 12 months.
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•  Homeowners can get onetime assistance of up to $5,000 if they have fallen behind in their mortgage payments but now have the monthly income to be a stable homeowner if they can catch up.
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• Those unable to keep up with monthly payments can get up to $10,000 to reduce their principle, if the lender will agree to match it.  This can help homeowners whose income has dropped to reduce their monthly payments.

Find it here at www.aplaceforwomen.org/downloads/2011/CWIT-Spring-Newsletter.pdf

Seventy percent of Arbor Circle clients earn less than $15,000 per year. These are individuals and families at the absolute bottom of the income scale whose lives are stretched even further by substance abuse and mental health issues. Without Arbor Circle, most of these people would have extremely limited access to the services and education that can make a real difference in their lives.

Arbor Circle accepts Medicaid, Medicare, and most forms of insurance. Some programs are available at no cost.

Learn more about their work at www.arborcircle.org/information.html

The August book discussion will take place Thrusday, August 23, 2011 at 11:45 am at the Disability Network Lakeshore office (426 Century Lane, Holland).

Please RSVP by emailing lkeegan@fhcwm.org or by calling 616.451.2980. Bring a lunch, bring a friend, and join the discussion!

Looking ahead:  The September selection will be: Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet: A Novel  by Jamie Ford. Stay tuned for that date and further details.

In addition to applying online, you can view your case information, see upcoming appointments, or view any proof you must provide to qualify for the programs. You can also report any changes on your case for the FAP program.

For more information, call 1.888.MiBridg (1.88.642.7434) or go to https://www.mibridges.michigan.gov/access/