Title
Resolution Approving a Contract with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County for the 2026-2027 Winter Emergency Shelter and Warming Center ($222,000.00)
Memorandum
Attached for your consideration is a resolution to approve a contract for the expenditure of $222,000.00 for winter emergency shelter and warming center response cycle for 2026-2027. This funding would in effect pay for a portion of the warming center costs for this winter.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: The funds for this contract have been budgeted in the FY27 General Fund Community Development budget.
Staff
Prepared by: Toni Kayumi, Director, Office of Community & Economic Development
Reviewed by: Derek Delacourt, Community Services Area Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, The 2013-14 winter season was particularly brutal for Washtenaw County residents - and no more so for those most vulnerable residents struggling with homelessness;
Whereas, The local sheltering system was stretched beyond capacity to accommodate the overwhelming demand for safe, warm space during the near-constant emergency weather conditions;
Whereas, The Office of Community & Economic Development - on behalf of the City of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County, and the local Continuum of Care Board - and the Washtenaw Housing Alliance convened a Winter Emergency Shelter/Warming Center Response work group in the fall of 2014;
Whereas, The workgroup proceeded to review the scope of the problem, surface and evaluate a set of possible solutions, and explore a variety of community partnerships and funding sources;
Whereas, The effort resulted in an improved, better planned, and efficiently coordinated action in the 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023-2024, 2024-2025, 2025 - 2026 emergency shelter and warming center response cycle;
Whereas, The City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County each committed up to half of the total cost of recommendations for the 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, 2019-2020, 2020-2021, 2021-2022, 2022-2023, 2023 - 2024, 2024-2025, 2025 - 2026 Winter housing and homelessness response cycles;
Whereas, Washtenaw County has budgeted $2,505,560.00 for the 2026-2027 emergency shelter and warming center response cycle;
Whereas, City Council approved $222,000.00 in its FY 2027 budget for the 2026-2027 emergency shelter and warming center response cycle; and
Whereas, The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County will provide in-kind support which in regular years has been estimated at $112,960.00;
RESOLVED, That City Council approves the contract with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County for the expenditure of $222,000.00 to assist the with the 2026 - 2027 emergency shelter and warming center response cycle;
RESOLVED, That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorized and directed to execute the City of Ann Arbor 2026 - 2027 Human Service Contract with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County to assist with the 2026-2027 winter emergency shelter and warming center, after approval as to substance by the City Administrator and approval as to form by the City Attorney; and
RESOLVED, That the City Administrator be authorized to take all necessary actions to implement this resolution.