ALPENA — The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Housing Development Authority are launching a program called “Good Housing = Good Health” to increase access to housing across Michigan, including institutions in Northeast Michigan. We partnered with the Department of Health.
The Northern Michigan Public Health Alliance, a large team of seven health agencies serving northeast Michigan, including the 2nd District Health Department and the 4th District Health Department, will support this new program.
Neither DHHS nor the Northeast Michigan Health Department could provide details on how each agency will meet its goals, but the program will help older adults, low-income people, and people with substance use disorders receive treatment for substance use disorders. The hope is to increase access to housing for people with disabilities. . The program also aims to test homes for lead, provide access to cleaner water, and improve weatherization of structures. Another goal is to provide households with information and resources to prevent home loss.
The main objective of this program is to provide people with access to better housing and promote better health and well-being.
“Creating thriving, healthy communities is a collaborative effort,” MSHDA Executive Director Amy Hovey said in a statement. “By partnering with MDHHS on the Good Housing = Good Health program, we are expanding essential services and furthering the path to stable and safe housing for all Michiganders.”
Grants will be provided to participating health departments to send state resources and information, such as emergency shelter services, referrals to nearby health care providers, and how to access other services.
“The Northern Michigan Public Health Alliance is taking a regional approach to combating northern Michigan’s housing crisis and is looking to convene a variety of partners to understand the housing sector’s current strengths and challenges. ,” said Devin Spivey, regional health director and epidemiologist. “This grant will allow health care workers in our region to more intentionally focus on housing insecurity in our region through the Community Connections program, which will allow us to connect with local health departments. will also be strengthened.” People into housing resources. ”
Spivey said the program’s work plan and budget are being finalized and more information about the health department’s future actions should be available in the coming weeks.
The Good Housing = Good Health program is part of DHHS’ Michigan Roadmap to Healthy Communities initiative, which aims to improve health equity, housing stability, and food security for all people in the state. The goal is to build stronger, healthier communities between 2022 and 2024.
“Housing affordability is a major issue for many families, as many of our neighbors spend more than a third of their income on housing for their families,” DHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel said in a statement. Stated. “This new program will help keep children safe and keep families together in our goal of making Michigan the safest and best place in America to raise children and raise families.” It is an important part of our goals.”
District Health Office No. 4 serves Alpena, Cheboygan, Montmorency and Presque Isle counties, and District Health Office No. 2 serves Alcona, Iosco, Ogemaw and Oscoda counties.