In an unusual turn of events in Midland, Michigan, contractors working on a local Family Fare grocery store stumbled upon a secret resident. Deep within the store’s rooftop sign, they discovered a 34-year-old woman had created a living space, complete with the comforts of home. This bizarre story of resourcefulness and hidden living quarters has left the community and authorities scratching their heads.
Midland Police Department Officer Brennon Warren confirmed the astonishing find, stating, “She was homeless. It’s a story that makes you scratch your head, just somebody living up in a sign.” The woman, whose identity has been withheld, informed police that she was employed elsewhere but had been inhabiting the Family Fare sign for approximately a year. Her clandestine dwelling was uncovered on April 23rd, bringing to light a unique case of hidden homelessness in plain sight.
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Midland, a city renowned as the global headquarters of Dow Inc., found itself at the center of this peculiar incident. The Family Fare in question is situated within a retail complex, distinguished by a triangular sign atop the building. This sign structure, estimated to be around 5 feet wide and 8 feet high, surprisingly included a door and roof access, according to Officer Warren. This allowed the woman to transform the interior into a makeshift apartment.
Inside her unconventional abode, police found evidence of a surprisingly well-organized living space. “There was some flooring that was laid down. A mini desk,” Warren detailed. “Her clothing. A Keurig coffee maker. A printer and a computer — things you’d have in your home.” Powering her appliances, she ingeniously tapped into an electrical outlet on the roof using an extension cord, highlighting her resourcefulness in making the sign habitable.
Adding to the mystery, there was no ladder in sight, leaving authorities puzzled about her access route to the rooftop sign. “I honestly don’t know how she was getting up there. She didn’t indicate, either,” Warren admitted, suggesting she might have scaled the building from a less conspicuous location behind the store or neighboring businesses.
SpartanNash, the parent company of Family Fare, issued a statement through spokesperson Adrienne Chance, noting that store staff reacted “with the utmost compassion and professionalism” upon discovering the situation. Chance also pointed to the broader societal issue, stating, “Ensuring there is ample safe, affordable housing continues to be a widespread issue nationwide that our community needs to partner in solving.” The company refrained from further comments on this specific incident.
Officer Warren reported that the woman cooperated fully with the authorities and readily agreed to vacate her sign dwelling. No charges were filed against her. “We provided her with some information about services in the area,” Warren explained. “She apologized and continued on her way. Where she went from there, I don’t know.”
Saralyn Temple, director of Midland’s Open Door, a local nonprofit aiding those in need of food and shelter, offered a perspective on the incident within the context of the city’s housing challenges. “From someone who works with the homeless, part of me acknowledges she was really resourceful,” Temple said. However, she emphasized the need for proper solutions, adding, “Obviously, we don’t want people resorting to illegal activity to find housing. There are much better options.” Midland, with a population of 42,000, like many communities, faces ongoing challenges in providing adequate housing for its low-income residents. This incident at the Michigan Family Fare highlights the hidden struggles of homelessness and the creative, albeit unconventional, measures some individuals take to find shelter.
