Sarah Shaver spoke with Richard Cannon, Executive Director of Hearts 4 Homes. He stated that their mission is to address child homelessness in Macomb County and that there are approximately 2,000 homeless children in the county according to school records. However, that doesn't count their siblings who aren't in school and parents/guardians who are also homeless. Homeless children are usually at least a grade behind in school and often face social issues as well. Hearts 4 Homes works with landlords to help families get into affordable apartments or houses and out of motels and off the streets, which is very challenging as many have been evicted in the past. Real affordable housing is 30% or less of a family's income going to housing and utilities and with these families it's often as much as 50%, which is not sustainable. They are always in need of helpful volunteers and landlords to work with and are working with the county to help build a permanent emergency shelter.
Closer Look weblink may be shared or posted to social media and/or organization website, but audio may not be duplicated, altered or re-broadcast without prior approval. May not be used for organizational fundraising purposes. (Educational Media Foundation - All Rights Reserved 2021)
Original Airdate: 5/16/2021 WDKL
Sarah joined EMF in 2019 and covers portions of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia including major markets Indianapolis and Detroit.
