Homelessness down statewide, but higher in the Northern Lower Penninsula

By SAODAT ASANOVA-TAYLOR
Capital News Service
LANSING – While improving economic conditions have reduced homelessness overall in the state, the numbers are still rising for some regions, including the Northern Lower Penninsula. A total of 94,033 people were homeless in Michigan sometime in 2011, according to the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness. That is down 6 percent from the previous year. That reduction is strong evidence of successful work by programs such as the Michigan Campaign to End Homelessness, said Eric Hufnagel, executive director of the coalition. This campaign was launched in 2006 to prevent homelessness and support people at risk of becoming homeless.