“People stereotype homelessness without a doubt,” says TrueNorth Housing Resource Center participant, Michelle. “Just because I was homeless doesn’t mean I’m a bad person, that I was a drug addict, that I didn’t care, that I didn’t try, that I was doing things with money that I shouldn’t…That was one of the hardest things about going to TrueNorth–I didn’t want people looking at me as homeless because of the stereotype.”

Stories of people like Michelle are the reason Homeless Awareness Month is so important. Unfortunately, there is a high percentage of people experiencing homelessness in rural West Michigan. By understanding homelessness and the realities of those who experience it, we can join together to give our neighbors the hand up they need to live and thrive.

Today, Michelle has been living safely in her new home for over a year thanks to her hard work, determination and guidance from TrueNorth. Keep reading to learn more about Homeless Awareness Month, homelessness in rural West Michigan and how you can help change the lives of people like Michelle.

What is Homeless Awareness Month?

Homeless Awareness Month occurs every November in Michigan “to raise awareness about issues relating to housing insecurity and homelessness and to get communities invested in making a difference,” as the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH) explains. Unfortunately, there are common misconceptions and stereotypes surrounding people who experience housing insecurity and homelessness. This movement works to fight those misconceptions by raising awareness through education and empathy.

Michigan communities need to work together to end homelessness. Having this month to put a spotlight on the realities of people experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness is crucial to the movement, but there needs to be year-round support to make a true difference.

Snapshot of Homelessness in Rural West Michigan

Homelessness takes a number of different forms. From sleeping on park benches to living in tents in national forests, many of our neighbors need a hand up. Rural homelessness comes with unique challenges that differ from urban homelessness.

Affordable housing is difficult to find in rural communities. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Housing Needs in Rural Communities factsheet, this lack of affordable housing can be attributed to “more persistent levels of poverty, lower incomes and increased costs associated with
infrastructure needs.” Renters especially face these difficulties. The National Low Income Coalition calculates that one person working minimum wage at $10.33 per hour would have to work 72 hours a week to afford a one bedroom rental home at fair market rent in Michigan. With rural areas already having a high percentage of low-income households, there is a great need for housing support.

People experiencing homelessness in rural communities tend to live in tents, trailers and other makeshift housing that is not suitable for living. This especially becomes dangerous during the cold Michigan winters where people do not have adequate heating or no heating at all. Learn more about these challenges by reading a few stories of people who have experienced homelessness below.

Real Stories of People Who Have Experienced Homelessness

Homelessness is a reality many face in rural West Michigan. Read the stories below to walk in the shoes of TrueNorth Housing Resource Center participants on their journeys to safe housing.

Michelle’s Story

Joe’s Story

Janet’s Story

Help Our Neighbors this Homeless Awareness Month

To help raise awareness for individuals experiencing homelessness and working towards housing stability, TrueNorth has two initiatives: Wear Purple Wednesdays and a Hygiene Donation Drive.

Purple is the color representing Homeless Awareness Month. Wear Purple Wednesdays calls people to show their support of the movement by wearing purple every Wednesday in November, showing those who are currently experiencing or have experienced homelessness they are not alone.

TrueNorth is also holding a Hygiene Donation Drive to collect essential items for those in need. Collection boxes have been placed at partnering community locations in the five counties where TrueNorth provides homeless solutions: Lake County, Mason County, Muskegon County, Newaygo County and Oceana County.

“The hygiene items collected throughout November are distributed directly to those in need. When participants who are homeless or struggling come to us, it’s incredibly valuable to offer them products they can take to motels or shelters to meet their basic hygiene needs,” says Melissa Geroux, TrueNorth’s Housing Services Director. “These items are greatly appreciated, as they help participants restore a sense of dignity and pride by enabling them to practice self-care.”

See below for a list of the collection box locations and accepted items:

How You Can Give a Hand Up this Homeless Awareness Month

There are a number of opportunities for you to give a hand up to our neighbors in need. You can participate in TrueNorth’s initiatives by wearing purple each Wednesday in November and join other caring supporters like yourself. The collection boxes will also be at the locations listed above for hygiene item donations. You can also make a difference by volunteering or making a gift to help move our neighbors forward on their paths to resilience.