Local aid continues as Whispering Pines water outage nears a month

Locally organized help for residents of Whispering Pine mobile home community continues, while dire circumstances underscore the need for long-term solutions.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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The State of Michigan has charged Evergreen Whispering Pines of Lee Township with a misdemeanor of operating a mobile home park without a license. As many of those living in the Lee Township complex face a water outage that's lasted nearly a month, local agencies are organizing the delivery of water and other basic needs. United Way of Midland County recognizes that the current help being given to Whispering Pines is not feasible over an extended period, as the ongoing cost is upwards of $5,000 to $6,000 a month.

Why it matters

The overriding concern on the part of United Way and other agencies is the potential for the 60-plus households in the mobile home park to become homeless if the park were to be shut down. Midland County is already struggling with a lack of affordable housing, and the community wants to avoid homelessness at all costs.

The details

Locally organized help for residents of Whispering Pine mobile home community continues, with the Lee Township Fire Department going to the park every other day to fill numerous five-gallon buckets with water. United Way of Midland County is leading a coalition of local agencies to identify concerns and needs at Whispering Pines, including issues with water pressure, sewage problems, safety for children, the park's unlicensed status, and threats to residents who speak up.

  • The State of Michigan has charged Evergreen Whispering Pines of Lee Township with a misdemeanor of operating a mobile home park without a license.
  • The water outage at Whispering Pines mobile home community has lasted nearly a month.

The players

Evergreen Whispering Pines of Lee Township

The ownership group of Whispering Pines mobile home community, which has been charged with a misdemeanor of operating the park without a license.

United Way of Midland County

A local nonprofit organization that is leading a coalition of agencies to identify concerns and needs at Whispering Pines, and is organizing the delivery of water and other basic needs to the residents.

Lee Township Fire Department

The local fire department that is going to Whispering Pines every other day to fill numerous five-gallon buckets with water for the residents.

Shana Bradford

A resident of Whispering Pines who is grateful for the water deliveries and other assistance, but is not optimistic about the future and is considering relocating.

Holly Miller

The President & CEO of United Way of Midland County, who recognizes that the current help being given to Whispering Pines is not feasible over an extended period.

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What they’re saying

“Nothing's changed. We still don't have any water. It's been a struggle. We drive to my mom and dad's near Bullock Creek High School just about every day for showers.”

— Shana Bradford, Whispering Pines resident (ourmidland.com)

“They've been really helpful.”

— Shana Bradford, Whispering Pines resident (ourmidland.com)

“We're kind of assuming things are going to not get better. I think a lot of us are looking to relocate.”

— Shana Bradford, Whispering Pines resident (ourmidland.com)

“How are we going to sustain this over time? The ongoing cost is upwards of $5,000 to $6,000 a month. That's just for water and other donated goods.”

— Holly Miller, United Way of Midland County Executive Director (ourmidland.com)

“We struggle with enough affordable housing as it is. We don't have somewhere to house 60-plus households — and we certainly want to avoid homelessness at all costs.”

— Holly Miller, United Way of Midland County Executive Director (ourmidland.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Evergreen Whispering Pines to get the necessary permits to have a contractor fix the park's water system.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the ongoing challenges of providing affordable and reliable housing in Midland County, as well as the need for long-term solutions to address the issues at Whispering Pines mobile home community. The community's reliance on temporary aid underscores the importance of finding sustainable ways to ensure access to basic necessities like water for all residents.