FLINT, Michigan — The number of people struggling with home instability is rapidly increasing in the United States. On Dec. 15, 2023, the Annual Homeless Assessment
Report (AHAR) stated that people experiencing homelessness on a single night in 2023 have increased by 12% from this time last year. The report also estimates that 653,100 people are currently without housing in the U.S.
Everyone is susceptible to experiencing a life-altering moment; a loss of physical health, loss of income, or a loss of security, and subjection to life-threatening violence. The homelessness disparity will continue to grow as the gap between increasing housing costs and stagnant income widens.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition released a
report, revealing that no state in the U.S. has an adequate supply of affordable rental housing for the lowest-income renters. Eleven million Americans pay at least half of their income towards housing.
Hamilton Community Health Network (HCHN) recognizes the challenges for people living without homes in Michigan and recently partnered with local organizations for a community-wide blanket drive. In a press release from HCHN, the blanket drive was organized by Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church, Refuge Temple Church of Flint, Word of Life Church of Flint, and Grace Tabernacle Church. HCHN clinic staff collected over 100 blankets for the warming centers led by Catholic Charities.
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A Hamilton Community Health Network van brings blanket donations during the community-wide blanket donation delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flinstide.com)"This project has been a meaningful way to support our valued partners at Catholic Charities,” explained Clarence Pierce, CEO of Hamilton Community Health Network. “With our homeless clinic, Hamilton-Flint, on the second floor of Center for Hope, we are able to witness the wonderful work Catholic Charities is dedicated to.”
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Clarence Pierce, CEO of Hamilton Community Health Network, poses for a portrait during the community-wide blanket donation delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flinstide.com)The blankets were delivered by Mr. Pierce, alongside other HCHN staff, to the Center for Hope on Wednesday, Dec. 20. The donations are currently being stored at the Center for Hope and will be distributed by Catholic Charities’ warming centers throughout the winter months as needed.
“We certainly hope that we can come together as a community and really start to reach out to those who are less fortunate,” said Pierce. “We’ve done hats and glove donations in the past, but this was an opportunity to do something different. Sometimes people are unfortunately caught out on the street, and to have a blanket or something to wrap yourself up in can make a big difference.”
Katie Baxter, CEO of Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, played a significant role in the organization of the donations.
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Katie Baxter, CEO of Catholic Charities of Shiawassee and Genesee Counties, was present at the community-wide blanket donation delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flinstide.com)“I’m very appreciative of Hamilton and their team for this blanket drive. It is a reminder to us that there's a lot of good in the world. It brings us a lot of joy. This is the time of year of giving. It reminds us that Jesus is the greatest gift and people want to join in and help out,” said Baxter.
Shelters in the city of Flint are feeling the rising pressure to aid the overwhelming numbers of people struggling to find fixed residences. Baxter states last year's number of people in need of the warming center was over 130 people. The maximum capacity is 40 to 65.
“We actually opened another warming center this year for women and children at North End Soup Kitchen,” said Baxter. “And that is our women and children’s safe haven. It’s a pilot this year because we don't have a permanent warming center there. It was better for the women and children to have a separate space to sleep at night.”
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Catholic Charities staff member Bradd talks to guests and visitors at the front desk during the community-wide blanket donation delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flinstide.com)Baxter and other team members at Catholic Charities are working towards ending misinformation regarding people suffering from home insecurity. Several determining factors that contribute to home insecurities in Flint are racial inequalities, inflation, the rising cost of rent, home fires, job loss, and health disparities.
Nationally, Black Americans make up
13 percent of the general population but make up more than 40 percent of the homeless population. Latinx people make up a share of the homeless population approximately equal to their share of the general population.
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Sam Williams Jr., Center for Hope Community Closet staff member, organizes donated blankets during the community-wide blanket donation delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flinstide.com)Catholic Charities is continuously finding creative ways to help people without housing by teaching life skills, providing access to case management, aiding in employment assistance, and teaching financial literacy. Catholic Charities is currently developing a larger new project, the Sacred Heart Village Project, for 2024.
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Sam Williams Jr., Center for Hope Community Closet staff member, organizes donated blankets during the community-wide blanket donation delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flinstide.com)“That’s our tiny home project, you see our tiny homes across the street?” Baxter said, referencing two newly built tiny homes across the street. “Those are our models. Next year, we'll break ground. It is going to be a transitional housing program for veterans with at least 24 tiny homes for them. It will be a place where they learn life skills, how to take care of their home, and how to get a job. We can help them become independent and move on.”
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Sam Williams Jr., Center for Hope Community Closet staff member, poses for a portrait while organizing donated blankets during the community-wide blanket donation delivery on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jenifer Veloso | Flinstide.com)“It is important to think of the people who are most vulnerable in our community because some people are really suffering,” said Baxter. “Any support and help through prayer, donations, volunteers… any of those things that people in the community can do to help will make a big difference.”