Additional 70 beds to provide shelter for homeless, starting this winter
After months of planning, Holy Cross Services (HCS) and the City of Lansing have finalized a multi-phase expansion agreement to add an additional 70 beds to help support Lansing’s unhoused population. HCS’s homelessness services are headquartered out of the New Hope Community Center (NHCC) at the corner of North Larch and Shiawassee streets in Downtown Lansing. NHCC operates as the Capital Area’s largest low-barrier homeless shelter for overnight stay, includes a daytime area and provides a community kitchen. The City of Lansing is granting HCS $800,000 to fund the expansion and provide services to unsheltered Lansing residents.
HCS President and CEO Ryan Kunzelman commented on the New Hope expansion, saying, “Holy Cross Services is committed to providing a sustainable solution to address the needs of individuals and families experiencing homelessness, especially during the cold winter months.” He also added, “We are prepared to move forward with both short and long-term implementation of this program, thanks to the support from the City of Lansing.”
“Lansing is working on all options to provide shelter and housing for those of need and on the streets in our city. We are excited to work with Holy Cross to expand the number of beds that they can offer to the unhoused, especially as we are going into the winter. We have limited resources, and this expansion is a necessary piece of the puzzle towards stabilizing those on the streets in need of housing. This course of action will help build capacity for those in need now and set the stage for more multi-pronged assistance into the future,” stated Mayor Andy Schor.
The construction process will be executed to ensure that beds are ready for the community before winter. HCS will oversee a light internal ground floor renovation this fall to help remedythe immediate needs. Simultaneously, HCS will initiate renovation of the current NHCC Day Center and office spaces. The Day Center will remain operational for participants to come in from the elements, snack, hydrate, access community resources and use case management services.
The permanent warming center will offer an additional 70 beds and have capacity for up to 100 individuals for emergency community situations. This will also create greater operational efficiency compared to the temporary solution. Once construction is completed, the temporary warmingcenter will relocate to its new, fully operational space, ensuring a smooth transition and expanded capacity for serving the unhoused population.
The multi-phased approach allows the City of Lansing and Holy Cross Services to support the immediate need for shelter this winter while creating a long-term, sustainable solution for the future. The plan allows for no disruption in services and provides the community with a modern, efficient warming center for unhoused individuals.
“New Hope Community Center is experiencing a significant increase in unhoused individuals and families seeking services. Our available shelter beds remain full, while our waiting lists continue to grow. We are also seeing many new faces and families in our community dining room,” stated HCSExecutive Director of Shelter and Community Services Nancy Oliver, who also serves as Co-Chair of the Capital Region Housing Collaborative Continuum of Care (CoC).
“Too many members of our community face homelessness, and rising numbers of unsheltered residents is a trend too dangerous to ignore. Partnering with HCS is one way the City is addressing the issue. I am optimistic this expansion will help more of our neighbors access shelter this winter and beyond,” said Kimberly A. Coleman, Lansing Human Relations and Community Services Director.
This expansion coincides with National HomelessnessAwareness Month that takes place every November to raise awareness about issues relating to housing insecurity and homelessness. With over 32,000 homeless individuals throughout the State of Michigan, Holy Cross Services New Hope Community Center is sensitive and prepared to aid and help manage the complexities and needs of unhoused children, adults and veterans from the City of Lansing.
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