PLYMOUTH — The Marshall County Council pledged support for a local initiative that will ensure a safe
transition for families and individuals in the county in case of a housing emergency, i.e., the closing of Red Rock Inn in Plymouth.
Members of the group putting together the SAFE Housing Response fund — Linda Yoder of United Way, Brent Martin, and Jack Davis — came before the Council to ask their support for the initiative that would help ensure that those displaced in the case of a housing emergency would have a safe transition to a new residence.
The fund would be administered by the Marshall County United Way. In the case of a crisis situation, a special “Grants Committee” would convene to determine if the particular situation was one that fit the group’s criteria for monetary support. Once the funds are awarded, they will be distributed to the group’s partners — Link to Hope and The Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ — to be used for providing a stable first night for those displaced and helping provide a stable first month of housing and, in some cases, a second month while the individuals seek a permanent solution.
All funds would be distributed by Link to Hope and the Poor Handmaids directly to the providers of the services, not to those receiving them.
The group also plans to approach the cities and towns of the county seeking monetary support.
The Council voted unanimously to support the effort with $25,000 that will be taken out of a non-tax supplied fund — the county’s opioid non-restricted settlement funds.
