Title
Housing and Human Services Advisory Board Recommendations for 2011 Human Services Funding
Memorandum
The following recommendations are from the Housing and Human Services Advisory Board (HHSAB) for City Council review and consideration as a part of the 2011 Budget process. These recommendations call on City Council to avert or minimize funding cuts to local human service nonprofits. At worst, funding to human service agencies should be reduced by no more than the total percentage reduction to the City’s overall General Fund for 2011.
Background
In July 2009, the City partnered with the Washtenaw Urban County to create and fund a two-year integrated funding process for human services. The nonprofits chosen to provide critical services to residents in need have performed well and meeting an increased demand for services with fewer overall resources.
The Urban County, nonprofits, and the community recognize that honoring the second year of the City’s two-year commitment will be more challenging than anticipated.
The severe economic downturn has produced negative impacts on nearly every facet of our community. Increased unemployment, skyrocketing foreclosures, decreasing property values, and burgeoning poverty have created a sharp increase in the demand for services, especially those provided by the array of local non-profit human service agencies.
Unfortunately, the dramatic increases in needs for human services comes at the same time - and resulting from the same forces - as the City’s decreased resources with which to address them.
Key indicators provide clear evidence of the increasing needs of residents, including:
Increased Poverty and Economic Instability - The Poverty Rate for Washtenaw County has risen in recent years to equal that of the State of Michigan - 14% of all county residents are now living in poverty. In the City of Ann Arbor, 22% of residents are living in poverty. While this figure is inclusive of students, it still represent...
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