Title
Resolution to Provide Supplementary Funding for the Warming Center at the Delonis Center ($25,000.00) (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
The Robert J. Delonis Center opened its doors to the public on November 17, 2003. This center signaled the completion of the first milestone in our community’s choice to confront the issues of poverty and homelessness and to make a real change.
As a community, we have chosen to take a proactive approach to the underlying factors that cause poverty: individual barriers, discrimination, low wages and the lack of affordable housing.
Among the services that have been provided by the Shelter Association is the Warming Center. This center has been open from November through April since the Shelter opened. In order to provide for the Warming Center, The Shelter Association opens the first floor of the Center overnight; this provides life-saving warmth to people in the community who are in need.
The continuing economic downturn has affected our community. The number of individuals seeking food, shelter and medical care from organizations such as Food Gatherers, Packard Clinic and Avalon Housing increases monthly. Funding from the State of Michigan and other sources has been reduced at the same time the need has increased.
The Shelter Association faces an unprecedented deficit in their budget. Ann Arbor has maintained its commitment to the work done at the Shelter during a period when other governmental units have decided to cut funding for human services. This year, the Shelter Association anticipates eliminating or significantly reducing many of their services. This loss of services will have a direct affect on the City of Ann Arbor’s budget.
Among those services planned for elimination is the Warming Center. Without the Warming Center, those among us unable to find other emergency shelter will remain out of doors in temperatures that can cause loss of limb or life.
In order for the Warming Center to remain open, the ...
Click here for full text