The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has released its 2024 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report, which offers a sobering snapshot of homelessness in America.
The report, which captures data from January 2024, revealed more than 770,000 people were experiencing homelessness on a single night — an 18% increase from the previous year.
For many, these statistics are more than just numbers. They represent real lives, struggles, and stories.
One of those comes from Eli Riehl, a 45-year-old man navigating homelessness with his beloved dog named Ryli.
Eli and Ryli are staying in a motel room in Roseville thanks to the generosity of a family friend, he says, but that stability may not last.
“I’m paid up for about five more days,” Eli said Tuesday.
Erika Erickson: “Then what?”
Eli: “I have no plan.”
Eli said his life took a devastating turn two years ago when he lost his partner of seven years, Ray, to suicide.
The grief was compounded by the losses of his brother and sister to drugs.
After struggling with heroin addiction himself on and off for about 20 years, losing his siblings compelled him to get sober on April 1, 2022, Eli said.
“For a long time, the value of a dollar was measured by how much dope I could buy,” Eli admitted. “But I’ve left that life behind. I haven’t touched it since.”
Now, Eli is focused on rebuilding his life. He’s actively seeking work, but he said the search has been difficult without transportation.
A former maintenance worker and former bus driver, Eli said he has applied to numerous jobs in the area but has yet to find an opportunity to pan out.
“I don’t understand it,” Eli said. “I’ve always been able to get a job.”
For those struggling with homelessness or food insecurity, resources are available:
- MCREST: https://www.mcrest.org
- Samaritan House: https://www.samaritanhousemichigan.org
- Lighthouse: https://lighthousemi.org
- Covenant House: https://covenanthousemi.org
- Detroit Rescue Mission: https://drmm.org
- Wayne Metro: https://www.waynemetro.org
- LC United Way: https://www.lcunitedway.org
- Salvation Army: https://www.lcunitedway.org
