Munson Healthcare has announced a $10,000 gift to Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing (NMSH), an organization dedicated to providing Permanent Supportive Housing and essential services for individuals experiencing homelessness and living with mental health disabilities. This investment reflects Munson’s commitment to addressing housing insecurity and mental health—two critical priorities identified in its most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA).

“Stable housing and having a safe, warm place to live is foundational to health,” said Laura Glenn, Chief Operating Officer, Munson Healthcare. “Northwest Michigan Supportive Housing not only provides a safe place to live but also offers the tools and support people need to maintain housing and rebuild their lives. This gift underscores our commitment to improving health by addressing root causes.”

Founded during the closure of the state hospital, NMSH has evolved to meet the growing needs of the homeless population in the greater Grand Traverse region. Today, the organization operates six buildings and partners with 35 independent landlords—in partnership with the Northwest Michigan Coalition to End Homelessness, along with countless community agencies—to provide supportive housing units for clients from Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Leelanau counties.

Currently, an estimated 250 people in the greater Grand Traverse area are unhoused. About 20–25% experience a severe mental illness. Among those who are chronically homeless—people who have been homeless for 12 months or more—65–75% have a mental health disability, making them eligible for NMSH programs. Many clients also have co-occurring disabilities.

NMSH provides case management, life skills training, and support services—including transportation assistance, budgeting, practical tenancy education such as maintaining their unit, being a good neighbor, and communicating effectively with their landlord. These supports help residents maintain stable housing and work toward independence. While some clients graduate after several years in the program, many require long-term support.

“Every day we see the life changing benefits of housing and case management services in the lives of our clients” said Sarah Hughes, Executive Director of NMSH. “We are all one crisis away from being homeless. The difference is most of us have safety nets—family, friends, resources. The people we serve don’t. When that happens, trauma builds on trauma. Our goal is to provide the stability, dignity, and support that our clients need to thrive.”

NMSH relies on grants for approximately 70% of its funding and raises the remainder through community support. Donations like Munson’s help sustain critical services, including case management and basic needs assistance. All clients contribute towards housing costs, reinforcing financial responsibility while ensuring affordability.

Munson Healthcare’s giving strategy prioritizes investments in organizations that advance its 3-year Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) goals which are currently: mental health; economic security and access to healthcare. Since 2024, this approach has directed more than $700,000 to community partners working in these priority areas, including several focused on basic needs such as housing stability. This includes an annual $150,000 donation to the Street Medicine program—a collaborative effort between Munson Healthcare and Traverse Health Clinic—which has supported expansion into Cadillac, Kalkaska, and Benzie counties and funded a full-time coordinator to help individuals break cycles of instability.