Three Oakland County non-profit organizations moved quickly to assist homeless

Executive Dave Coulter applauded the action of three Oakland County non-profit organizations who moved quickly to assist homeless women and children put at risk by the closing of Grace Centers of Hope in Pontiac. HOPE shelter, Lighthouse of Oakland County, and the South Oakland Shelter will provide food and housing for these individuals and families.
“Our community stepped up and solved a crisis, and we applaud them for their leadership,” County Executive David Coulter said. “This crisis reinforces our collective effort to address homelessness on a comprehensive and long-term basis.”
Through the leadership of State Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-District 12) and State Rep. Brenda Carter (D-District 29), Oakland County is receiving a $250,000 state grant to create a Blueprint to End Homelessness. In 2020, the Oakland County Executive working with the Board of Commissioners will release a request for proposal to develop and implement a comprehensive solution to the root causes of homelessness.
“Oakland County must ensure opportunity to everyone in all parts of our county and housing, like food and water, is a basic human right. Oakland County is undertaking a collaboration with community leaders to create the plan and leverage the resources necessary to address homelessness,” Coulter said.
In 2018, there were 2,968 individuals experiencing homelessness in Oakland County. The Department of Housing and Urban Development defines an individual or family experiencing homelessness as one who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence. Homelessness also impacts Oakland County children who account for 26 percent of persons experiencing homelessness. For more details about homelessness in Oakland County, read the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness’ 2018 Annual Report for MICHIGAN.