There is help available for the homeless in Michigan, especially during these cold winter months. The Family Independence Agency (FIA), in partnership with The Salvation Army (TSA), will provide shelter for any homeless person anywhere in the state.

Anyone in need of shelter, or anyone who knows of someone in need, can call 1-800-A-SHELTER, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, year-round. TSA will then locate shelter in the caller’s area.

"We've had a successful partnership with The Salvation Army since 1991," said FIA director Marianne Udow. "We’re committed to seeing that anyone in need who requests it, even those who don’t receive other assistance from us, will be given shelter."

TSA has contracts with 104 shelters statewide and has reserve funding to cover motel nights. From October 1, 2002 to September 30, 2003, TSA provided 732,908 shelter nights and 37,212 motel nights. The 1-800-A-SHELTER toll free hot line receives about 70 calls each day.