homelessness

In the last five years Detroit, Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo and Traverse City have all added officers tasked with building relationships with people living on the streets.

The rule would prohibit extended stays at MDOT rest areas and carpool lots—spaces where some unhoused Michigan residents have sought refuge.

In May, Traverse City cleared “The Pines,” a homeless encampment near Division and 11th streets. Officials promised residents would have places to go - like Safe Harbor or the Goodwill Inn. But did that happen?

In May, authorities in Traverse City cleared out an encampment from part of town known as "the Pines." What happened to those who left?

A wooded area near Traverse City held an encampment for people who are unsheltered, until this past week, when police cleared out the area. We'll hear what happened. Plus, we walk around the centerpiece of the Grand Traverse Commons with two composers who were tasked with writing music about an old psychiatric hospital.

A yellow police line encircled the area after the sweep displaced about 14 people who had been living in tents among the trees near 11th and Division streets.

The Traverse City homeless shelter normally closes its doors for the summer at the end of April. But this May, the shelter will stay open.

County commissioners will give Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing $125,000 a year for two years, with a possible extension for a third year. They also discussed the need for a better process on awarding excess cannabis, opioid, and American Rescue Plan funds.

While officials backed the idea, it still has a long way to go before it becomes reality.

Goodwill of Northern Michigan hopes to lock in some of the units for permanent supportive housing.