In the last year, thousands nation-wide have lost their jobs and been evicted from their homes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this, homelessness is on the rise and many states do not have adequate resources to assist those who have been displaced. However, most states did not have the resources to assist their pre-COVID homeless population and have neglected the issue for decades. The leading causes of homelessness in the United States are a lack of affordable housing; unemployment; poverty; mental illness and the lack of needed services; and substance abuse and the lack of needed services. Rather than addressing the issues that cause homelessness directly, many US states have opted to circumvent them and prioritize the aesthetic of cities over the wellbeing of homeless citizens. Hostile architecture, or more specifically anti-homeless architecture, was born from this circumvention. While cities funnel money away from social programs to assist the homeless, they pou...

DETROIT, MI, May 13, 2019 – With Mother’s Day passing, we want to celebrate all the mothers – including those who are homeless. When we think about homelessness, we generally think about those who are not financially stable or face food insecurity. Unfortunately, we sometimes forget about rare cases, such as the feelings that homeless mothers may face on Mother’s Day. . Life is hard enough for women facing these circumstances. They have to deal with the pressure of providing for themselves and their families. They may struggle with maintaining things such as feminine products, safety, health care, and child care. This combination of daily hardships is a lot to take in, in itself. Even though times may be hard, these women continue to fight for survival the best they can. We honor every mother this Mother’s Day. Mother’s Day was Sunday, May 12, 2019. We honor every mother for all of their hard work and sacrifices. All mothers deserve to be celebrated, regardless of their...

March is Women's History Month, which means it's a perfect time to discuss an issue faced by homeless women that often goes without consideration and many shy away from talking about due to stigma — menstruation and access to menstrual products while homeless. The 2018 Annual Homeless Assessment Report  published by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that on a single night in January, 39% of the homeless population consisted of women. Fewer than 1% identified as transgender or gender-nonconforming, and a percentage of those individuals likely deal with menstruation as well. Though we think of menstruation of a strictly female issue, not all women menstruate and not everyone who menstruates identifies as a woman. All of the individuals reported this night ranged in age from under 18 to over 24; on average, a person who menstruates will do so from the ages of 12 to 51, making it safe to assume that a significant number of those reported homeless de...

If you keep up with us on social media, chances are that you've seen at least one of our countdown posts this past week, leading up to today. Now, we here at the HIGH Program are so excited to announce the #SarnaikChallenge ! In 2017, Drs. Ashok P. and Sharada Sarnaik — both of whom are professors at Wayne State's School of Medicine and pediatricians at Children's Hospital — created the Sarnaik Endowment benefiting the HIGH Program to “support these individuals during the times of their greatest needs, helping them reach greater heights.” The husband and wife duo pledged to match each donation to the endowment dollar for dollar, up to $100,000. Now it's up to us! The #SarnaikChallenge seeks to raise $25,000 to match the most recent generous donation by the Sarnaiks. So, why donate to the Sarnaik Challenge? Since 2013, the HIGH Program has helped over 150 Wayne State University students who are homeless, precariously housed, or facing other significant finan...

This past week, a polar vortex slammed the Midwest with historic frigid temperatures with some places dropping as low as -61°F. While temperatures here in Detroit only reached a low of -37°F, the bitter cold still proved dangerous; in Michigan alone, four people were reported as having frozen to death during the cold snap. Though these conditions are considered dangerous for everyone, the homeless population is especially at risk for exposure to the elements. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless , homeless individuals are "at risk for a variety of conditions caused by exposure to the cold, including frostbite and hypothermia, both of which can be permanently damaging to one’s health and can sometimes be life-threatening.  Many of the chronic problems faced by the homeless people, including inadequate clothing, malnutrition, and underlying infection, further increase the risk of developing and dying from hypothermia.  In addition, many homeless people stru...

Winter in Michigan is certainly no laughing matter — between the tendency for unpredictable weather and the proximity to the Great Lakes, winters are frigid and brutal more often than not. That uncertainty, however, also means that some years are warmer than others (this year included). While this winter might seem unseasonably warm for most, it's another story for homeless or precariously housed individuals. According to the National Weather Service , even 40°F temperatures can feel below freezing with winds as low as 20 MPH. When you also take into account that temperatures drop significantly at night, that winds are intensified by tall buildings in urban areas (where many homeless individuals stay), and that these individuals often don't have access to weather-appropriate clothing, it's no surprise that the homeless population is one of the most at-risk when it comes to exposure-related conditions such as hypothermia and frostbite. For Wayne State student...

As the days begin to get colder, it's a reminder that winter is right around the corner, and Michigan winters in particular are known for their harsh temperatures. Even before winter hits, temperatures can drop much lower at night and put homeless individuals at risk. According to the National Weather Service , even 40°F temperatures can feel below freezing with winds as low as 20 MPH. Taking into account the fact that a good deal of homeless individuals are situated within urban areas that have increased wind speeds between the buildings, it's easy for winds to create bitter temperatures when the actual air temperature is what most would only consider to be a bit chilly. Spending long periods of time in these temperatures — such as by sleeping on the streets — also increases the risk of hypothermia. The Mayo Clinic defines hypothermia as "a medical emergency that occurs when your body loses heat faster than it can produce heat, causing a dangerously low body tempera...

Whether you're a freshman struggling to get used to campus life, a senior stressing about what lies beyond graduation, or anywhere in between, college can (without a doubt) be one of the most stressful times for students. A recent study by the American Psychological Association found that 61% of students across the nation seeking counseling report anxiety, with depression (49%) and stress (45%) following closely behind. Although these issues can affect anyone regardless of race, class, gender, or sexuality, it often times weighs very heavily on students who are homeless or precariously housed. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) found that anywhere from 20% to 25% of the homeless population in the US live with some form of severe mental illness (compared to just 6% of the overall American population). Harvard notes that " mental illness is often cited as a major cause of homelessness , illustrating a causative relationship that extends beyond mere correlatio...

There's an undeniable relation between homelessness and food insecurity, and students are no exception to this struggle. "College is stressful enough," writes a HIGH scholarship recipient Colleen Messimer "without having to worry about money for food,housing, and transportation." According to Feeding America's 2014 study, 31% of the households they serve have to choose between paying for food or their education . At the HIGH Program, we provide funding to homeless or precariously-housed Wayne State students so that they're no longer forced to choose between the two, but it also goes beyond that -- part of the assistance that we provide is access to food through campus meal plans.  As Hunger Action Month comes to a close, both Wayne State students and local community members might wonder how they might be able to help, but not know where to begin. Luckily, there are quite a few ways that anyone can help support the HIGH Program as well as help to fig...

Even though we're constantly progressing as a society, there's still a lingering stigma against the homeless, and the challenges that arise as a result often makes it difficult for those individuals to put themselves in better situations. Over the weekend, a story broke about Washington D.C. student Jamal Speaks, who was barred from playing on his high school football team because he was homeless. According to NBC Washington , officials said that Speaks became ineligible to play -- or even practice with his team in the meantime -- because they couldn't verify a permanent address to confirm residency. For many low-income and homeless youths, a scholarship of some sort is their only shot at receiving a college education; among those are sports scholarships, which often provide a full ride for promising young athletes. Adding insult to injury, recruiters from Temple University had come to watch Speaks play when he was pulled from the game to be sidelined because of his resid...

In the next couple of weeks, flu season will be upon us once again. After a particularly nasty flu season in 2017, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that individuals get vaccinated at least two weeks before the flu season begins. But often times when individuals or families are struggling with low income, precarious housing, or homelessness, they're forced to have healthcare take the backseat until their situation becomes more stable. Lack of health insurance or difficulty accessing healthcare are widespread issues and can result in poor attendance at school or work, as well as more serious health complications. However, there are a few ways that those struggling to attain healthcare can still get their flu shot and ward off problems before they begin. For Wayne State students, the Campus Health Center  offers no-cost flu vaccinations. Students are never charged, regardless of health insurance coverage. For non-students with health insurance, finding a free ...

Close your eyes for a moment, and try to picture someone who is homeless. What comes to mind? Many people have a specific image of what homelessness --which is defined by the federal government as "an individual without permanent housing who may live on the streets...or any other unstable or non-permanent situation"  --  might look like as a result of stereotypical representation in the media. The truth is, those struggling with homelessness or precarious housing situations come from all walks of life, and not among the least of those numbers are students. A study from The University of the Pacific found that students who are homeless or have an uncertain living situations tend to have lower grade point averages, have problems with truancy, and are less likely to graduate on time. In Michigan, programs such as the ones in Holland Public Schools have been forming across the state to aid in helping homeless K-12 students with the resources that they need to be s...

HELPING HOMELESS PEOPLE One care-bag at a time I know it is something we have all thought when someone who is homeless asks for money, "what are they really going to use my money for?" This is normal, and most people will have this thought at least once or twice in their lifetime, but this should not discourage you from helping people in need. Instead of just giving money, try creating care bags for the homeless. Care bags are a way to help people who are in need, and know exactly where your help is going. So what is inside of a care bag? There is an endless amount of things you could put into a care bad, but it is important to remember to put the essentials in a care bag for a homeless person. Here at HIGH, we have compiled a list of cheap essentials we find important to have when making a care bag.   Shampoo Toothpaste/ Toothbrush  Water Canned Goods Crackers (or a nonperishable item like this) Hat/Gloves/Scarf  T-shirt Pants Socks/Shoes Fem...

She moved from Ohio to pursue a degree at Wayne State. Unfortunately her hopes of residing with her partner and completing graduating seems to be coming to a halt due to the ending relationship. She will be forced to move out soon and she does not have anywhere to go. Her financial aid has been used to help pay rent in the place she was living with my partner. She works part time in a conjoint effort to support their living. Her efforts alone will not be sufficient to sustain living. She is greatly motivated in continuing education and her degree here. However if she is  not able to find a place to stay she will be left with no option but to drop her classes in which she has worked very hard, go back home and transfer. To help her and many such students, please donate on highprogram.wayne.edu.

Her current residence is unsuitable for continued living. She currently resides with her aunt who is struggling financially and is behind in her own housing payments. Her aunt’s smoking and drinking habits, and those of her guests who constantly stay over, trigger her allergies and irritate her to extremes, physically and mentally, keeping her from being productive with school work. The visitors who stay over, in addition, go through her items when she is away at school and then lie to her about it when questioned. This behavior is allowed to happen by her aunt who owns the house even after she tells her about it. Additionally, these visitors disrespect her by calling her names, moving her items without permission, and playing loud music when she is studying despite her requests to stop. To help her and many such individuals, please donate on our website  highprogram.wayne.edu.

He received an eviction notice on Oct. 27, 2015 due to not having sufficient funds to pay his housing cost. This would be the result of his financial aid refund not completely returned to him. Although he is working, it would not bring the amount of money to pay off the housing cost. If he gets evicted from the campus housing he has no other housing options, which would prevent him from attending school. To help please  donate on  our website  highprogram.wayne.edu.

With over 58000 students filing as ‘homeless’ on their free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it is clear that this nation is in dire need of a transitional program for college students. At Wayne State University, being at the heart of Detroit, there is a unique spotlight to issues of economic downfall and its effects on the surrounding communities. With this unique perspective of homelessness and poverty, key programs like Wayne State University’s Helping Individuals Go Higher (H.I.G.H.) have made it their mission to help resolve some of these issues. The H.I.G.H program was started by the First Lady of Wayne State University, Mrs. Jacqueline Wilson. Under her leadership, the H.I.G.H. program is able to offer opportunities to students who are not financially stable. Statistically about 51.8% college students in the country are currently living in poverty, while 29% come from homes that make less than $20,000 annually. After the increase in college tuition fees in the 80s...