Not everyone has a warm place to call home this winter. As national homelessness rates rose last year, more than 1,200 Washtenaw County residents were evicted from their homes, according to county officials. But thanks to the county’s recent commitment to provide assistance to those facing homelessness, more local families and individuals will be kept off the streets. Other Michigan municipalities should follow Washtenaw County’s example and expand their efforts to reduce the number of people left out in the cold this winter.

The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners approved $175,000 in funding last Wednesday for an emergency relief program for families confronted with the loss of their home. A host of local Ann Arbor non-profit organizations and religious groups are involved in the effort. The money will support housing providers by supplying 10-year housing vouchers for families close to losing their homes, bringing stability to those in unpredictable living situations. It will also help fund an increase in beds at the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County and provide support services to families on the brink of losing their homes. The goal is to house families before this winter reaches full intensity.

Homelessness is a serious problem, and it’s on the rise as Michigan’s struggling economy fails to improve. In this difficult time, some people need an extra hand. Those who don’t have to worry about making ends meet this winter have an obligation to help those who do. It's the government's responsibility to facilitate this by aiding the homeless through relief programs.

And by helping the homeless find shelter, the county can prevent harmful situations. According to the National Coalition for the Homeless, more incidents of violence against homeless people have been reported every year since 2006. It's important to protect them by keeping them off the streets. And last month in Ann Arbor, two men who are thought to be homeless started a fire that caused serious damage to the former Pinball Pete’s building on South University Avenue. Had these men had access to suitable housing, this unfortunate event may not have occurred.

Washtenaw County has the right idea. But the program simply isn’t big enough to handle the thousands of residents in the area who lose their homes each year. The county needs to make its emergency relief program a higher priority and expand its size and reach. And Washtenaw County isn’t the only local unit of government that needs to prioritize care for the homeless. Other counties should follow suit to protect their least fortunate residents.

During a harsh winter in a difficult time for Michigan, everyone must do their part to protect vulnerable members of society. Local governments are aptly positioned to offer meaningful relief programs for the homeless, and Washtenaw County’s program should be imitated and expanded across the state.