HRC Public Statements

A Call to Community

Seeing Our Unhoused Neighbors With Compassion 

City of Holland Human Relations Commission

Approved November 21, 2024; Updated December 7, 2024

Background

Homelessness in Holland has increased in recent years, as shown by the annual Point-in-Time Count which is mandated by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to measure the number of individuals experiencing homelessness on a specific night. This rise is also reflected in the growing number of people seeking support from local organizations.

As we look for solutions together to support our unhoused neighbors with dignity and respect, the City of Holland Human Relations Commission, composed of volunteers approved by City Council to pursue a community of belonging for all residents, encourages community members to consider root causes of homelessness, to explore misconceptions, and to find sustainable solutions.

Considering Root Causes: Homelessness is a Housing Issue

Homelessness is closely tied to the current housing crisis, fueled by high demand for scarce rental housing. The 2021 Housing Needs Assessment by Housing Next found that Ottawa County’s rental vacancy rate is just 1 percent, leaving little opportunity for people with housing instability to find safe and affordable places to live. This shortage disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including individuals facing financial hardships, health issues, or other barriers to stable housing.

Challenging Misconceptions: Who Are Our Unhoused Neighbors?

Much of the conversation around homelessness in Holland centers on the most visible unhoused neighbors occupying public spaces. However, these individuals represent only a small fraction of the broader reality. Many people experiencing homelessness are unseen, living in cars, staying with friends or relatives, or moving between hotels and other temporary housing. Some are employed full-time yet still unable to secure stable housing due to rising costs that have outpaced wages.

While mental health and addiction challenges are more common among the unhoused population than the general population, they do not apply to a majority of people experiencing homelessness. National data indicate that only about 31 percent of unhoused people have known or documented physical or mental health barriers (Source: National Alliance to End Homelessness), and locally, the Community Action House Street Outreach team finds that number to be about 36 percent. Homelessness is most often driven by systemic issues like poverty and housing shortages, not individual health challenges.

Finding Sustainable Solutions: A Call to Compassionate Action

The growing homelessness crisis highlights the urgent need for better housing solutions. Key first steps are to expand housing availability and to promote the “Housing First” approach that prioritizes acquiring stable housing for individuals experiencing homelessness as the initial step in addressing other challenges. Suitable and affordable options should meet people’s needs for autonomy, safety, affordability, and the ability to keep families or pets together.

Criminalizing homelessness — such as ticketing or arresting people for being unhoused in public spaces — does not address the root causes of the issue. Instead, it worsens the challenges and instability many individuals already face, underscoring the need for more compassionate and effective solutions from the community.

Conclusion

The City of Holland Human Relations Commission calls on community members to approach homelessness with compassion. This is a complex issue that challenges us to balance the rights and needs of the general public, property owners, and our unhoused neighbors. We commend local officials and the many organizations on the frontlines for their positive work in supporting people experiencing homelessness.

By considering root causes, exploring misconceptions, and finding sustainable solutions, we affirm our shared values as named in the Human Relations Commission mission statement: to pursue a community of belonging for all residents, with consideration for groups that are underrepresented, underserved, or marginalized. Our unhoused neighbors are part of our community, and it is our collective responsibility to ensure that everyone in Holland has a safe, stable place to call home.