Braving the week's icy conditions, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and several members of the Legislature highlighted the state's housing crisis at the Northern Michigan Policy Conference.

Friday's conference came on the coattails of the USDA's December announcement that four counties in Northeastern Michigan are getting nearly $500,000 in federal funds to repair some dwellings in Crawford, Alcona, Ogemaw and Alpena counties to help repair more than 70 homes in the state.

Marie Fielder, community activist and organizer in Alpena County, said the 28 homes in her county are a start, but lack of affordable housing exacerbates such problems as childhood poverty, economic immobility, poor health and education outcomes based on research.

"When children live in safe, affordable homes, they're more likely to thrive in school and have greater opportunities. And we know when families have safe, affordable, dry homes, they increase their economic stability and their access within the community," she explained.

Fielder also pointed to the work of Kalvin Carter and Joanne Galloway of the Center for Change, who have task forces to promote many issues important to rural Northern Michiganders. Their focus is not just housing, but environmental issues that are impacting communities, voting access, ensuring quality food sources for everyone and a host of other issues to improve quality of life for rural Michigan.

Fielder added the housing shortage is a multifaceted issue, not just financial, and highlighted growth in short-term vacation rentals as a key driver reducing available units. She said it's an issue that is often misunderstood, and solving it will take accurate, factual information.

"Some of my tribal brothers and sisters, who are fairly economically stable, have had to go from couch to couch to couch because they simply can't get housing," she continued.

Fielder said she's curious about Whitmer's State of the State address this Wednesday, and the kickoff of the legislative budget process to follow. She is confident that northern Michigan will remain a key consideration for future policymaking.


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A bill making its way through the Maryland General Assembly could protect renters from unjust evictions.

House Bill 709 would create what is known as a "good cause" law. It would enable but not require local governments in Maryland to put eviction laws in place in their communities to prevent landlords from evicting tenants without cause. People could still be evicted for disorderly conduct that disturbs other residents, a major breach of a lease or causing damage to the property.

Erica Puentes, legislative coordinator for the advocacy group Progressive Maryland, said the idea is to help keep Maryland families stable.

"Good cause laws require transparency and accountability from corporate landlords for why they're choosing to evict a tenant," Puentes explained. "'Good cause' would prevent people from being evicted unless the landlord provides a good reason."

A number of city leaders, including the mayors of Baltimore and Takoma Park, have expressed support for a good cause law in the past few years. But some developers and landlords have voiced opposition, saying it would make it more difficult to evict problem tenants.

Corporate landlords file more than 5,000 eviction cases a year without providing a reason, according to the Public Justice Center.

Puentes emphasized all eyes are on the Maryland Senate, where the bill stalled in committee during last year's session. She added the law would give power to local governments to make new tenant laws and policies.

"There is a lot of appetite and need in Maryland for 'good cause,'" Puentes stressed. "Ultimately the counties and municipalities should have the power, and under 'good cause' they would have the power, to enact this legislation, based on the needs of their constituents."

The Public Justice Center reported more than 5,000 Maryland families are made homeless from evictions each year.


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Economists warn affordable housing is harder to come by in North Dakota, putting more people at risk of not having a roof over their heads but some new funding proposals could take a big bite out of the issue.

Leading up to this legislative session, a task force had been studying the issue. Some recommendations now on the table include a bill to set aside $200 million for communities to get more affordable housing projects developed.

Chandler Esslinger, executive director of the Fargo Moorhead Coalition to End Homelessness and board chair of the North Dakota Coalition for Homeless People, said boosting access with the funds is a good start, as service providers convey urgency to state lawmakers.

"This is what we need to meet demand," Esslinger asserted. "If you don't want to see increasing homelessness in your community, this is the type of investment that's truly required."

Esslinger acknowledged so far, lawmakers appear receptive to the need for action. She and other advocates said the crisis requires bigger commitments, but the $200 million figure might be easier to pass. Some residents who testified about the issue said the efforts might be well-intentioned but they are unsure using taxpayer dollars would be effective.

The current plan calls for additional studies to review work being carried out, with $10 million to aid efforts directly dealing with homelessness.

Denise Dykeman of Minot, who volunteers at homeless shelters, said the public needs to realize how a personal financial crisis can quickly spiral into an unstable situation.

"If folks don't have a support structure, like a group of family (members) that they can go to, you can end up homeless very easily," Dykeman pointed out.

She added barriers like mental illness and domestic violence further complicate some people's attempts to find steady work and a home to live in.

The Community Action Partnership of North Dakota said boosting homeless grant funding would expand services focusing on immediate needs, like emergency shelter and rental assistance.

More than half of rural residents with substance use disorder have experienced homelessness in the past six months, according to a new study.

Those who care for people with drug and other addictions in Maine said many people entering "sober homes" have spent time in jail or a shelter, since there is a critical shortage of affordable housing statewide.

Ron Springel, executive director of the Maine Association of Recovery Residences, said research points to the critical need for more certified recovery homes.

"In the 16 counties in Maine, there are at least four or five that don't have any certified recovery houses, or maybe only have one or two, with maybe half a dozen beds," Springel outlined.

Springel pointed out the American Society of Addiction Medicine has recognized recovery housing as a vital part of the continuum of care for substance use disorder, although many municipalities have put up barriers to prevent such homes from operating.

Since Gov. Janet Mills took office in 2019, the number of treatment beds in Maine has increased by 50% but the need is still growing. Supporters said recovery homes provide the peer support and structure those experiencing addiction in rural areas require for long-term recovery.

Springel argued they should be covered by MaineCare or private insurance like any other hospital stay or residential treatment program.

"The average length of stay is about six months although some people can stay longer," Springel explained. "The longer they are living in a sober, safe, stable environment, the better they do when they leave, not just during the time that they're there."

Springel noted the recovery community in Maine has grown tremendously over the years, with dozens of community organizations banding together to serve those most in need, including rural areas. He added there are thousands of success stories, they just do not get as much attention.