Overview

As in most cities throughout the country, a crisis in housing and homelessness has existed since the Great Depression of the 1930's. The nature of the crisis changes at the national and local level based on economic factors which reflect governmental policies at a given time. Under Democratic admistrations, more money tended to be available, administered by HUD. Local agencies would have to work with cities and counties to develop workable plans for how to utilize the money to provide the best continuum of care as possible, meaning affordable housing and the right kind of support for people with special needs.

New Shelter has less beds than old shelter

Options getting better? Not in Ann Arbor. All the kinds of housing options actually provide less beds because of a lack of money. "Housing first" is not solving the problem of a lack of beds, and, in addition, lack of funds for supportive services causes some people to be unable to live well enough in the homes which had been designed for alcoholics, drug addicts and mentally ill people.

More funds are going to be necessary. Meanwhile, the Shelter Association can coordinate placing people in the best way possible while advocating with the state and federal governments for more money.

A tent city now exists in Ann Arbor. It is becoming much more well organized,seeking to become a non-profit organization run by the homeless themselves. In part, it's an attempt by the homeless to be able to live the life-style of their choice without having to abide by "shelter rules."

David Duboff