The Friendship Housing Center says 18 beds could be lost if the problem isn't fixed
GAYLORD, MI -- A Northern Michigan place for homeless to go, get something to eat, and have a good night's sleep is looking for a little help.
A problem with their septic system could mean a big problem this winter, and if it isn’t fixed, it could mean fewer beds.
"Nobody wants to be here, but, everybody is thank there is a "here" to come to," said Tammy Mathews, who says at the Friendship Housing Center in Gaylord.
Mathews lost her job in the shop earlier this year, and it didn't take long for medical bills and the cost of life to eat up the money she had banked away. She had nowhere to go, except for the Friendship Housing Center in Gaylord.
"Without this place, I’ve seen so many who are not going to survive, or don't stand a chance," said Mathews.
But because of a septic tank problem and not enough money to fix it, Tammy, her roommates, and 18 people in total could be set out on the streets again.
"18 beds would be closed if the drain field has failed, had failed, and the state had told us we have to shut that down, but we are going to do everything we can to prevent that from happening," said Friendship Housing Center Case Manager Molly Stewart.
Right now, the Friendship Housing Center is urging residents to work with them until they get a new septic tank. They’ve put in guidelines, like for residents to take only one shower a day, turn off the water when they aren’t using it, and do their laundry elsewhere. They hope this will minimize the problem they already have and help keep the 18 beds in service.
“We hope to have it fixed by the time the ground freezes, we have to, otherwise, we're going to have the issue of closing beds," said Stewart.
The playground at the shelter is empty in anticipation of the new drainage field that could save the beds, but the work comes with a $20,000 price-tag, and right now, the shelter only has $9,000 to put toward it.
“Bottom line, we're going to get this new septic system in place, whether we do it by loan or we can do it with donations, but a loan will cause added interest, and put a strain on our already very strained tight budget," said Stewart.
“Here, I’ve watched so many get a new life," said Mathews.
And both say it would be devastating to have to close any bed, especially in a year that the need is clear.
The Friendship Housing Center saw 270 different people use the shelter in 2010, and it that many so far this year, so the use is up.
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