GOVERNMENT

Michigan allocates $500,000 to house Afghan refugees

Niraj Warikoo
Detroit Free Press

The state of Michigan has allocated $500,000 to help house about 1,300 Afghan refugees expected to arrive in the state, officials announced Tuesday. 

The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity also announced a new website, Michigan.gov/afghanarrivals, that the public can use as a resource to donate or volunteer to help the refugees who are escaping the Taliban, a group that seized power in Afghanistan this summer. 

The office of Global Michigan, part of the state Labor and Economic Opportunity department, has secured a half-million dollars from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority to house the refugees temporarily, according to the labor department.

The funds will be used "to temporarily house the arrivals until resettlement agencies can secure their permanent housing," the department said in a statement. 

The state is working with five resettlement groups in Michigan on helping the refugees: Bethany Christian Services, which is headquartered in Grand Rapids; Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County; Samaritas, which is based in Detroit; St. Vincent Catholic Charities; and the United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants.

More:Michigan groups prepare for refugees from Afghanistan

More:Wayne County announces $20 million rental assistance program for tenants, Afghan refugees

“We urge everyone to join us in welcoming these Afghan families to Michigan and ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement. “We will continue to embrace our duty to honor and protect these families as they flee from violence and political persecution."

In her statement, Whitmer also addressed the issue of Haitian migrants trying to enter the U.S. after escaping persecution. A protest was held recently in Detroit by Haitian immigrants and supporters. 

"Especially given the recent treatment of Haitians at our border, we also urge humane treatment of all immigrants arriving to the U.S., regardless of their origin,” Whitmer said. 

Afghan refugee girls watch a soccer match near where they are staying in the Village at the Ft. McCoy U.S. Army base on September 30, 2021 in Ft. McCoy, Wisconsin. There are approximately 12,600 Afghan refugees being cared for at the base under Operation Allies Welcome. The Department of Defense, through U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Army North, and in support of the Department of Homeland Security, is providing transportation, temporary housing, medical screening and general support for at least 50,000 Afghan evacuees at suitable facilities in permanent or temporary structures while the Afghans complete the processing necessary to resettle in the United States.

The Michigan Community Service Commission, which is part of the state labor department, will help coordinate the volunteer efforts.

“We encourage residents to sign up to serve and support our new neighbors," said Michigan Community Service Commission Executive Director Ginna Holmes in a statement. "There are opportunities for individuals, families, community teams, nonprofits and corporate teams to volunteer.  ... Those who register will complete a simple survey to indicate what skills and donations they’d like to offer, and will receive updates about opportunities to serve within those selected topics."

The five resettlement agencies said in a joint statement that they will "work hard to ensure those community contributions are put to good use as we provide arriving men, women and children with the essential services and support they need to begin to rebuild their lives here in Michigan."

Contact Niraj Warikoo at nwarikoo@freepress.com or Twitter @nwarikoo.