As downtown stadium development grows, homeless centers struggle to keep doors open for Detroit’s destitute

By Wendell Bryant/Tell Us Detroit

DETROIT (Tell Us Det) - As winter weather settles in - in earnest, temperatures continue to drop. This directly impacts the Detroit homeless community, at a most critical moment. With mass development throughout the city, especially in the downtown area where a new stadium, commercial buildings and condominiums are going up, these citizens are finding fewer warming options during brutally cold conditions.

While studies have shown the number of homeless individuals in Detroit has decreased, it is estimated that there are still more than 15,000 who are currently living on the streets. These individuals include those suffering from untreated mental illness, veterans, families and many others.

With funding running low, there are those who continue to extend a helping hand. One of the few shelters on the front line is the Neighborhood Service Organization’s Tumaini Center. This safe harbor has become increasingly crowded as it seeks to bring the homeless, who have no where else to turn, indoors. NSO's Tumaini Center is one of the sole homeless and social services centers that Detroit’s destitute can access 24/7/365.

Especially important during the cold winter months, the Tumaini Center offers homeless individuals, including those with substance and behavioral problems, a safe haven. At the center, consumers can shower, rest and begin to restore their lives through crisis support services, such as substance abuse treatment, mental health assessments and referrals, case management, basic health care, emergency food and clean clothing.

The facility also is home to the Road Home, a unique mobile outreach program that makes direct contact with homeless individuals living on the street. Regularly joining the Road Home team are medical student participants from Wayne State University’s Street Medicine Detroit, a partner of the organization that provides medical services to homeless people by going where they live.

Major downtown developments will continue to grow, and that's healthy for our local economy. However, Detroit’s destitute community needs your help now in these brutally cold and in some cases, life threatening conditions.   Visit https://www.nso-mi.org/donate.php or call 313-961-4890

The NSO Tumaini Center is located at 3430 Third Ave., in downtown Detroit.