Title
Resolution to Support Washtenaw County and Shelter Association of Washtenaw County (SAWC) as a Result of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Appropriate $250,000 for Current and Future COVID-19 Shelter Response (8 Votes Required)
Memorandum
REVISION: City Council originally approved this resolution on May 4, 2020. This resolution contains three revisions:
1. Funds are now available without regard to fiscal year.
2. The resolution authorizes a three-party agreement between the City and the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County and Washtenaw County (Office of Community Economic Development) to provide these services.
3. The resolution clarifies that the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County will still be able to use City funds even if FEMA determines that they are ineligible for FEMA reimbursement.
Responses to the COVID-19 pandemic have required swift action to ensure public health and safety. The Governor's Stay Home Stay Safe Executive Order, coupled with the Washtenaw County Health Departments requirements for social distancing were put in place to ensure safe physical distancing and limitations on contact to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus.
While most Ann Arbor residents are able to comply with the order, and the physical distancing requirements, those individuals and families experiencing homelessness lack the very basic element to comply with the Governor's order - a home.
The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County has worked in tandem with the Washtenaw County Health Department and the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development to adjust quickly to create safe shelter for those individuals who use the Delonis Center, the Warming Center and rotating winter shelters.
Over the course of the last month, that has included lowering the capacity of the Delonis Shelter to 38, based on a review by the WCHD that evaluated the space for shelter clients using the facility during the day and overnight. It has also resulted in the...
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