Homeless in Parks: Local experiences with a nationwide trend

Homeless in Michigan 9,051 people homeless on a given night 9.1 homeless per 10,000 people in the general population What is the definition of “Homeless”? Homeless/Transient (Living Arrangement): An individual with no permanent living arrangement, i.e., no fixed place of residence, is considered homeless or transient. A homeless individual is defined in section 330(h)(5)(A) as “an individual who lacks housing (without regard to whether the individual is a member of a family), including an individual whose primary residence during the night is a supervised public or private facility (e.g., shelters) that provides temporary living Homelessness is a complex social problem with a variety of underlying economic and social factors such as poverty, lack of affordable housing, uncertain physical and mental health, addictions, and community and family breakdown. Endhomelessness.org

Local Examples Novi Lansing Wayne County Kalamazoo

Lessons Learned Legal Considerations Encampment versus loitering: ordinances and enforcement Public Relations considerations/strategies Parks Maintenance concerns: drug use/paraphernalia, hammocking, human waste, etc. https://www.nrpa.org/parks-recreation- magazine/2019/january/addressing-homelessness-in- public-parks/ https://www.nrpa.org/contentassets/f768428a39aa4035ae5 5b2aaff372617/homelessness-in-parks-survey-report.pdf