Title
A Resolution to Establish a Bill of Rights for Persons Experiencing Homelessness in the City of Ann Arbor
Memorandum
The City of Ann Arbor recognizes that every individual, regardless of housing status, deserves to be treated with dignity, respect, and compassion, and is entitled to equal protection under the law. The City also recognizes its responsibility to promote public health and safety while maintaining safe, accessible, and welcoming public spaces for all who live, work, and visit our community. These responsibilities are not mutually exclusive, but rather reflect a shared commitment to the well-being and fundamental rights of all community members.
As homelessness and housing instability continue to present growing challenges, the City reaffirms its commitment to addressing these concerns through humane, equitable, and trauma-informed approaches that acknowledge the systemic barriers and complex circumstances contributing to homelessness.
This Bill of Rights for Persons Experiencing Homelessness establishes a framework to ensure that housing status alone does not become a barrier to fair treatment, access to public spaces, or essential City services, while preserving the City's responsibility to fairly and consistently enforce laws and ordinances that protect public health, safety, and the rights of others.
Through this resolution, Ann Arbor affirms that protecting individual rights, maintaining reasonable expectations for public conduct, and fostering a safe and inclusive community are complementary responsibilities that can and should be upheld together.
Budget/Fiscal Impact: There are no anticipated budget or fiscal impacts on the City.
Staff
Prepared by: Jonathan Laye, Supportive Connections Director
Reviewed by: Atleen Kaur, City Attorney
Jennifer Janetsky, Assistant City Attorney
Mariah Walton, Deputy City Administrator
Approved by: Milton Dohoney Jr., City Administrator
Body
Whereas, "Housing status" means having or not hav...
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