Title
Resolution to Approve a $30,500.00 Contract with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County and a $129,000.00 Contract with Interfaith Hospitality Network to provide short-term housing/shelter with support services to homeless individuals and families and Appropriate $159,500.00 from the Ann Arbor Housing Trust Fund ($159,500.00 Ann Arbor Housing Trust Fund)
Memorandum
The Office of Community Development is requesting that City Council approve a $30,500.00 contract with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County and a $129,000.00 contract with Interfaith Hospitality Network and appropriate $159,000.00 from the Ann Arbor Housing Trust Fund to provide short-term housing/shelter with support services to homeless individuals and families. Community Development is working with these nonprofit providers to develop a short-term response to the unprecedented incidence of homelessness in our community as winter approaches.
Background
The challenging economic climate has had broad-reaching negative impacts on residents and communities, and Ann Arbor has not been immune to these impacts. The local poverty rate, including students, is nearly twenty-five percent, which is an increase of five percent since 2007. Unemployment is 9.3%, and Ann Arbor experienced a five percent loss in jobs from August 2008 to August 2009.
Evictions and foreclosures are on the rise as well. While complete eviction data is not available, it is estimated that at least 1,200 county residents were evicted last year. Foreclosures increased 105% from 2006 to 2008, and the Ann Arbor foreclosure rate is two percent, compared to one percent in Detroit. The County Treasurer sold forty-five foreclosed parcels at auction in October, compared to an average of eleven in previous auctions.
Other indicators also convey the difficult economic environment. Since 2007, the Humane Society of Huron Valley has seen a fifty percent increase in pet surrenders for reasons of “owner cannot afford” and “owner e...
Click here for full text