Tonight in Ottawa County, more than 212 people will experience homelessness—they’ll sleep outside, in their car, or in an emergency shelter. 

Several hundred more people are currently at risk of homelessness: they’re being evicted from their homes, sleeping on a friend’s or relative’s couch, or finding other alternatives to the classic definition of “homeless.”

Homelessness is close to home. And we’re working hard to end homelessness and poverty in our community. But it takes all of us.

Good Samaritan is a free service for anyone in Ottawa County and the best first step when someone experiences homelessness or other housing crisis.

We serve as the central agency to help connect Ottawa County neighbors with the best housing resources, designated by the State of Michigan as Ottawa County’s Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA). When a person contacts the Good Samaritan team, our trained housing specialists provide them with the best path forward and simple next steps.

At Good Samaritan, our mission is simple (but not easy)—to end homelessness and poverty in our community. Throughout November, you can learn more about homelessness, how we’re working to make homelessness rare and brief in our community, and what you can do to help. Check out our Homelessness Awareness Month resources: GoodSamOttawa.org/November.