Through her extensive humanitarian and nonprofit work, Eureka C. People has demonstrated her commitment as a passionate and dedicated advocate. Today, as President and CEO of Housing Kent, People is leading the organization’s effort to dissolve homelessness, increase affordable housing, and eliminate the shocking racial disparities in the housing system in Kent County. West Michigan Woman connected with her to learn more.
What are the biggest housing challenges women and families in Kent County are facing right now?
Women and children are facing a housing market where costs have outpaced wages for more than a decade. Many full-time working mothers are spending far more than the recommended 30% of their income on housing, leaving little room for childcare, transportation, or basic necessities. Student homelessness is rising, with two Kent County districts among the top 10 in Michigan for the number of unhoused students. This isn’t just a housing problem—it affects learning, stability, and a child’s sense of safety.
At the same time, federal funding shifts and rising consumer costs have reduced the buying power of many families. And because today’s market looks nothing like it did 20 years ago, even middle-income women are struggling to find homes they can afford. These pressures fall hardest on single mothers and women of color, who continue to show tremendous resilience even while carrying the greatest burden.
How is Housing Kent responding to rising housing costs since the COVID era?
Housing Kent works at the system level, bringing together community partners, public agencies, and individuals with lived experience to solve problems no single organization can solve alone.
Our Housing Data Dashboard and State of Housing Report give Kent County a clear picture of where affordability is breaking down and where new solutions are needed. We use that insight to support major initiatives across homelessness response, eviction prevention, and housing supply.
A core part of our work is ensuring that families—especially women and children—help shape the solutions meant to serve them. And by aligning partners across the system, we reduce the gaps that too often leave mothers navigating crises on their own.
What actions can community members take to ease this crisis?
Community members can make a meaningful difference by:
- Staying informed. Today’s housing market is not the one many of us grew up with. Understanding the new landscape helps build empathy and fuels smarter advocacy.
- Using your voice. Encourage elected officials to advance clear housing strategies that support women and children.
- Participating locally. Zoning and planning decisions determine what kinds of homes can be built in your neighborhood. Your voice matters.
- Supporting families directly. Volunteer with organizations serving women and children experiencing housing instability. Personal connection shifts public understanding.
Even small actions help strengthen the foundation beneath families working hard to build stability and hope.
To learn more and view Housing Kent’s Housing Data Dashboard and State of Housing Report, visit housingkent.org.
Edited by Sarah Suydam, Managing Editor of West Michigan Woman.
This article originally appeared in the Spring ’26 issue of West Michigan Woman.
