Title
Resolution to Support Best Practices in Response to Homeless Camps in the City of Ann Arbor
Body
Whereas, A significant percentage of Washtenaw County's homeless population remains unsheltered;
Whereas, Ultimately, the most effective means of addressing homelessness for most persons is to provide affordable housing;
Whereas, Wait lists for affordable housing are extensive and often closed;
Whereas, Local shelters cannot provide year-round shelter for all unhoused persons in Washtenaw County;
Whereas, Some homeless persons are not suited or eligible for the temporary shelter options provided in Washtenaw County;
Whereas, There are multiple strategies for responding to homeless camps, including humane displacement, short term accommodation, and long term arrangement;
Whereas, Humane displacement tools include formal and advance notification of the closure of an encampment, engagement by agencies that will help those at risk of displacement find temporary shelter, and commitment to find permanent supportive housing solutions;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor continues to use humane displacement and short term accommodation as tools to work with those who are unsheltered; and
Whereas, The Continuum of Care Board, which includes stakeholders, mental health professionals, law enforcement leadership and elected officials, including the Mayor of Ann Arbor, the Chief of Ann Arbor Police and the Director of the Office of Community and Economic Development, provides an structure to address these concerns.
RESOLVED, That humane displacement of homeless camps on private property is an appropriate response to complaints from private property owners;
RESOLVED, That humane displacement of homeless camps on public land is an appropriate response to citizen complaints;
RESOLVED, That human services organizations will continue to seek out those who are homeless when the temperatures are forecast to be below freezing and the danger of hypothe...
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