Michigan’s rising poverty rate took on a human face in Lansing today as a few hundred people waited outside in the morning cold for a special event to help the capital city’s homeless. Dozens of social service agencies took part in the event on Lansing’s south side.
Patricia Wheeler is with the Greater Lansing Homeless Resolution Network. She says more and more Michiganders are either homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. Wheeler says this event is intended to lend them a hand.
“It’s an opportunity to access all those services…in one place…in an easy way. And by way of Community Connect…to connect the needy with the service that are in place for them.”
The U.S. Census Bureau released a report this week showing Michigan’s poverty rate is rising, up from 16.2 percent in 2009 to 16.8 percent in 2010. The poverty rate is worst for kids. Nearly a quarter of Michigan children live below the poverty line.
