Hey BridgeDetroit readers!
Agencies that help refugees start new lives in Michigan, often after fleeing war and turmoil in their home countries, are expecting a surge in arrivals starting later this year.
The increase comes at a time when Michigan is experiencing a housing shortage, making affordable homes that much more difficult to find for families who arrive. It’s also taking place when there are fewer agencies resettling refugees. The nonprofit Samaritas is strained as it prepares to welcome more people and wants to hire additional staff to meet the need.
Samaritas alone estimates it will work with more than 2,000 refugees from October through next September — a roughly 14% increase from the 1,750 refugees the organization projects to help as the current fiscal year closes out.
The U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, another agency, expects to resettle at least 625 refugees by the end of September. That’s a 98% increase — up from 315 refugees the nonprofit helped from October 2022 through September 2023.
“The world is very unpredictable right now, and that definitely impacts the refugee population,” said Kelli Dobner, Samaritas’ chief growth officer. “… we’re seeing some of the highest numbers of refugees in the world that we’ve ever seen.”
To learn why, we spoke with agency leaders helping families resettle in metro Detroit, including one Ukrainian mom, who, with her two sons, fled the country at war. Now she helps others just like her.
Detroiters must take action to stay in water affordability program
More than 25,000 households are enrolled in the Lifeline Plan, which brings down water bills to as low as $18 a month and wipes away water debt. But starting Oct. 1, residents must verify they are income eligible to remain on the plan.
The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) said it is currently not removing residents from the Lifeline Plan, but households must contact the Wayne Metropolitan Community Action Agency, which administers the program, on or after Oct. 1 to stay on the plan.
To begin the recertification process, call the Wayne Metropolitan agency at 313-388-9799 or fill out the following Google form (which requires a Google email account): bit.ly/LifelineWayneMetro. This is for customers to show that they intend to recertify for the program. Email wmuniversalapplication@waynemetro.org with questions.
Once customers apply, their names will be added to a list shared between Wayne Metro and DWSD, protecting them from water shut offs until they are officially re-enrolled into the program, according to Wayne Metro.
We break down what Detroiters should know.
On Your Radar
HEATING CREDIT: Michigan residents have until the end of the month to apply for tax credits to help save on heating bills. Qualified Michiganders can apply for the Home Heating Credit ahead of a Sept. 30 deadline through free tax preparation services, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Learn more.
SENIOR FOOD HELP: Seniors living in Michigan’s Thumb can now apply to get free food assistance. The Detroit-based nonprofit Focus: HOPE is expanding its Food for Seniors Program to five counties: Huron, Sanilac, St. Clair, Lapeer and Tuscola. Two thousand seniors can apply to get items, such as milk, cereal and canned goods, monthly. Learn more.
As always, you can reach me at nrahman@freepress.com.
Nushrat Rahman
Economic Mobility Reporter, BridgeDetroit and Detroit Free Press
