A staggering number of families in Oakland County are facing hunger and homelessness, but a groundbreaking ceremony in Pontiac brought hope for change. Lighthouse, a local nonprofit organization, broke ground on a $40 million campus designed to dramatically expand shelter, food access, and economic support for families in crisis.

Watch Meghan Daniels' video report: $40M Lighthouse campus breaks ground in Pontiac to help homeless families

The new facility will span two full city blocks, creating what organizers call a "one-stop shop" for families facing crisis. The comprehensive campus will include expanded emergency shelter for families, a social supermarket where the community can shop for free, an economic opportunity center, a community cafe, and event space.

"Expanded emergency shelter for families, a social supermarket where the community can shop for free for the food that they need, an economic opportunity center, a community cafe, and event space, and so much more," said Jenny Poma, Chief Operating Officer at Lighthouse.

The campus aims to remove barriers by bringing multiple services under one roof. From food access and childcare to housing and job support, the facility will connect people with comprehensive resources.

"It's about connecting people with job opportunities. It's about connecting people with the healthcare that they need. It's connecting people and solving their food insecurity crisis," said Senator Jeremy Moss of the 7th District.

County leaders say the need for these services continues to grow. Khadija Walker-Fobbs, Officer of Neighborhood and Housing for Oakland County, noted that official counts may not capture the full scope of homelessness in the area.

"You know, a lot of times we'll say about 1,200, 1,300 people are unhoused, but that's just those who are physically counted. I think the need is probably much greater than that," Walker-Fobbs said.

Currently, Lighthouse operates with just 30 emergency beds, forcing the organization to regularly turn people away due to lack of capacity.

"I don't think there's ever been a time where we haven't, unfortunately, had to turn people away from emergency shelter due to lack of capacity," said Ryan Hertz, president and CEO of Lighthouse.

The new campus will expand capacity to 150 beds and provide families with private, apartment-style spaces during their stay.

"They'll each have their own apartment. They'll be able to have the privacy in their moment of stress to focus on a more stable future," Hertz said.

With $32 million of the $40 million already raised, county leaders view this project as more than just beds and buildings. The facility represents a safe place for families to land and get back on their feet.

"Families who are in crisis do have a viable, safe option where they are getting connected to supportive services and can get stabilized, and the children can get to school, and they can have all that they need," Walker-Fobbs said.

Construction is expected to wrap up in spring of 2027.

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When the doors close and the night sets in, help isn't always easy to find for people experiencing homelessness in Oakland County. But a new program is changing that with the Safe Tonight Shelter Fund.

Watch Meghan Daniels' video report: New initiative in Pontiac is helping people experiencing homelessness

The idea for the program was born from a serious need in the community a safe and warm place for people to sleep during the coldest months of the year.

"Called me one Sunday to ask me if we could open up our facilities to help out in this emergency. And of course, how can we turn people down like that?" Bishop Theresa Lee said.

Launched by Oakland County's Task Force on Poverty and Homelessness and several community partners, the program connects people in crisis to after-hours shelter spaces, like New Birth International Church in Pontiac.

Lee is the senior pastor at New Birth International Church. She says when the call came, the church answered because messy action is better than no action at all.

"When God gave us this church, it's a church without walls. We are unlimited. We go beyond these walls and we have done plenty of community work, this is just part of what we've done," Lee said.

That action could be life-saving. Steve Norris of the Recovery Collective says community partners are determined to prevent tragedies from last winter.

"We were really concerned with the frigid temps from last year that people were going to freeze to death, and unfortunately, 4 people did," Norris said. "When there's a need, you quickly and intuitively understand what needs to be done to accomplish it."

Khadija Walker-Fobbs, an Oakland County housing officer, says they're partnering with local churches and community groups, like New Birth International, to make sure everyone has a warm place to sleep at night.

"It's just a way the community comes together, the village comes together to make sure we're providing some support for families who are in need this winter season," Walker-Fobbs said.

Inside the warming center, the mission is simple: a safe place, a warm meal, and a chance to start over.

"We'll have a nice warm bed for them, nice warm food, make sure they eat!" Charlotte Jones said.

Jones is the Director of the warming center at New Birth International Church. She says beyond providing immediate shelter, the program offers a path forward.

"Once they get settled, then we will go into the office and I will speak with them to find out 'what is it that you want?'" Jones said.

The after-hours shelter at New Birth International Church will be opening on December 1.

If you or someone you know is in need of emergency shelter in Oakland County, click here.

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A program that provides direct cash payments to pregnant women and new parents is expanding to six Wayne County communities, offering financial relief during one of life's most expensive periods.

The Rx Kids program, founded by pediatrician Dr. Mona Hanna in Flint, provides $1,500 to eligible mothers during pregnancy and $500 each month for the first six months of their baby's life no strings attached.

"It is the most expensive time in the life course. Mom's income drops, expenses rise. There's not a lot of support in this window, so Rx Kids is just helping in this really brief window," Hanna said.

For first-time mom Nyah Phillips, this summer brought both joy and uncertainty when she discovered her pregnancy while facing job loss.

"For things outside of my control, I end up losing my job and I couldn't pay rent or anything for almost the whole summer and the summer is also when I found out when I was pregnant," Phillips said.

The program helps cover essentials like food, diapers and childcare during a critical period for families.

Related Story: Pontiac program offering cash to pregnant moms, newborns Pontiac program offering cash to pregnant moms, newborns

Desarae Embry, who is pregnant with her third baby, said the expansion means peace of mind for her family.

"That's gonna be a lot different for me to have that extra support for the recurring expenses that comes with having another baby," Embry said.

"It takes away that extra pressure of thinking about what if this happens, what if that happens? I don't have to worry," she said.

The Rx Kids program received a significant financial boost from state lawmakers, who approved $250 million in the 2025-2026 state budget to increase funds for Michigan moms and babies in need.

"We ensure that mamas can get the prenatal care. They can get the care that they need. They have adequate nutrition and that leads to healthier babies," Hanna said.

The Wayne County expansion includes River Rouge, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Inkster, Melvindale and Dearborn, helping hundreds more families start strong.

"It's genuinely for the betterment of moms and their babies," Embry said.

This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.