Grand Rapids initiative to end homelessness set to kick off in September

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The city of Grand Rapids is working to end homelessness in the city and Kent County through a new partnered initiative called “100 in 100.”

The campaign will provide housing for 100 individuals experiencing homelessness in 100 days.  Grand Rapids Mayor Rosalynn Bliss said it is set to start on Sept. 1.

Bliss said the initiative will specifically house those who are chronically homeless, which she defined as having been homeless for over a year and usually unsheltered.

The new plan is the result of a partnership between the Grand Rapids Area Coalition to End Homelessness and city, community and nonprofit leaders. It was first introduced back in June and Bliss said the city has been working with its partners to develop the plan, gather housing arrangements and hire mental health professionals to assist the individuals once they have been housed.

“If there’s any city that can do it, we can do it and we can learn and we can scale it up and we can do a lot better,” she said. “What we have really been working on is, how do we align the services, align those around meeting the needs of this more vulnerable population and then how do we make sure we have an appropriate place for them to go with the supports in the housing that they get to stay housed.”

But the plan does not stop at just housing the individuals. Keeping them there is crucial, Bliss said.

“It’s one thing to get an individual into a housing unit but if they are not able to stay their long term, that’s not in their best interest either and that’s not helping them be successful long term,” she said.

Bliss said she hopes to have these individuals housed before the 100 days, in November. For more information on the initiative click here .

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