Crisis Response: Emergency Shelter and Housing Stability for the U.P.

The need for Room at the Inn’s services has never been greater. In just the past year, the number of people seeking shelter and support from us has nearly doubled, with more than 250 individuals and families served in 2024 alone.

Our emergency overnight shelter now houses up to 46 people each night, while our Warming Center provides meals, showers, laundry, clothing, hygiene supplies, and case management to more than 60 additional clients daily. Rising housing costs, surging utility expenses, and unstable state and federal funding have created urgent challenges, even as demand continues to grow.

Despite these difficulties, Room at the Inn continues to evolve. We recently opened the region’s first Family Shelter, launched a Permanent Supportive Housing program, and are working with health partners to create a Recuperative Care Shelter for unhoused individuals with serious medical needs. But to continue meeting this urgent demand, we must diversify our funding and reduce reliance on government grants.

Your support will not only sustain critical services but also strengthen the safety net for our most vulnerable neighbors - reducing the strain on hospitals, law enforcement, and emergency systems, and helping build a healthier, more resilient Upper Peninsula community. Together, we can ensure every neighbor has the safety, stability, and dignity they deserve.

 Read more about the history of RATI here.