Downtown lansing

Downtown Lansing, Michigan, blends historic landmarks with a vibrant urban atmosphere. Recently, I was honored to attend the MSHDA Summit to End Homelessness, an event focused on creating lasting solutions for housing stability across the state.

The housing summit gave me a clearer understanding of the real challenges people face with housing insecurity and how communities are responding. It also inspired me to continue to push for solutions that address the need for affordable housing.

• The 2024 Michigan Summit on Ending Homelessness, themed "Turning the Tide: Collaborative Strategies for Ending Homelessness," took place on October 29-30 at the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing.

• The event featured keynote speakers, including Ted Williams, known as "The Golden Voice," who shared his journey from homelessness to advocacy, and Graci Harkema, an international public speaker and best-selling author.

• The summit provided a platform for federal, state, and local government representatives, service providers, funders, and individuals with lived experience to share best practices in ending homelessness. It facilitated networking and collaboration among case managers and administrators dedicated to improving the welfare of people in Michigan experiencing poverty and homelessness.

• A special preview screening of the documentary "Beyond The Bridge: A Solution To Homelessness" was also featured, offering insights into innovative approaches to addressing homelessness.

• The summit emphasized collaborative strategies and celebrated milestones, such as the 50th anniversary of the Michigan Network for Youth and Families, highlighting the importance of partnerships in the ongoing effort to end homelessness in Michigan.