Where is Washtenaw County stimulus money going?

This article gives a little bit of an insight into that question as well as addresses the issue of the Michigan Prison ReEntry Initiative (MPRI). At the end of the article there is a suggestion to stop using the felon box on employment application here in Washtenaw County.

http://annarborchronicle.com/2010/04/12/whats-your-federal-stimulus-good-for/

Tent City in Camden, New Jersey

The Tent City (or “Transition Park) in Camden, New Jersey that was set to be closed on April 15th remains up and running. This is after threats from the local government (or others? Please keep reading) that the camp was on the verge of being shut down for sanitation reasons. Now it would seem that since the city could not find adequate housing for all of the campers the camp will not be shut down.


This article (on the opinion page of the site) http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20100418/OPINION/4180328/1047/opinion starts off the by stating “[h]ere are the facts on any Camden County involvement with Tent City in Camden” which is an odd thing to write in a newspaper article as though one must be told that the newspaper/author is now going to tell the truth instead of what it/he usually does?
The article continues, “[t]he land on which Tent City is located is owned by the state Department of Transportation. Neither Camden County nor Camden City has any jurisdiction over it.” This is an interesting point especially in the case of Camp Take Notice. Only the state has jurisdiction over the state owned land.


Later in the article the author accuses the official leader of the Tent City of default on an agreement “to keep any newcomers [new homeless individuals] from joining” the camp made to the city and county. Again this is odd as the article/opinion states that the land is owned by the state, and the city and county have no jurisdiction. So one would assume that the promise should have been made to the state in order to be enforced. The author of this particular article seems to trying to exculpate the county and the city from any blame for the homeless issue in the area of Camden.

This article from Friday indicates that the Attorney General’s office “has no specific plans or strategies to kick anyone out.” So the state does not plan to take action at this time. http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20100416/NEWS01/4160323/1006/news01

This article from Saturday indicates that it was a Camden County official that made the threat to shut the camp down. But the camp could not be shut down because alternative adequate shelter could not be found for thirty or so campers remaining at the camp.
http://beforeitsnews.com/news/33987/Camden_Tent_City_Residents_Get_A_Reprieve.html

And finally yesterday. This article indicates that the campers were the ones that mandated the date of April 15 as a deadline to find adequate housing for those living at the camp.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/columnists/karen_heller/20100418_Karen_Heller__Spotlight_shining_on_Camden_s_Tent_City.html

Editors Note: So with all of this mismatch of information I have no idea what is true and what is not true. What does everyone else think?

Homeless News and Information Update

MISSION works hard every day to combat issues of homelessness in Washtenaw County. And MISSION believes it is very important to be informed and vigilant about homeless issues around the country. Being informed about homeless concerns will enable MISSION supporters to effectively discuss the issue of homelessness with others in our community. Please read the following news reports and information about homelessness in the U.S.

Washtenaw County is not the only place that faces the issue of homelessness and MISSION is not alone as an organization. Please be sure to tell your friends and family about this site and ask them to support MISSION and to become a member of this site to learn more about homeless issues here in Washtenaw County and around the country.

Detroit – Volunteers counted people sleeping on the streets of Detroit between the hours of 4 am – 7 am. This campaign attempts to place high risk individuals in safe housing. This is the beginning of what is to be a ten-year plan to stop homelessness in Detroit.
http://www.clickondetroit.com/community/23088868/detail.html

http://www.freep.com/article/20100409/NEWS01/100409005/1001/news

http://www.freep.com/article/20100409/NEWS01/4090334/Finding-help-for-homeless-people-goal-of-project

Lansing---Greater Lansing Housing Coalition makes progress for the homeless. Fixing up an old apartment building for homeless individuals that have special needs and homeless that are victims of domestic violence.
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=12272270

Sultan, Washington. Woman is told by the city that in order for her to continue to feed the homeless in a nearby park, she must buy a permit, pay a fee, and prepare the food in a commercially approved kitchen. Yet the mayor of the town admits that there are not enough services to help all of the homeless, and the business owners are only worried about homelessness in the town ruining tourism.
http://www.king5.com/news/Sultan-Homelessness-89951772.html

Merced, California----City officials decide to clear tent city of 30 to 40 individuals after a recently passed no camping law is passed in the city. Citizens that support this action by the city say the camp is an embarrassment and the homeless should go to shelters to live.
http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_14830990

Camden, New Jersey---City officials decide to shut down Transition Park, an internationally known tent camp with over 50 homeless individuals ranging in age from 23 – 68.
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/nj/20100407_Tent_City_set_to_close__but_questions_remain.html?page=1&c=y#comment

Arborweb.com's Nov 28th Article

http://arborweb.com/articles/the_coldest_winter.html

Washtenaw Annual Report 2008-2009 HUD

Highlights from the Washtenaw Shelter Association's 2008-2009 Annual Report:

"According to HUD's 2009 Point-in-Time Count, there are approximately 4,212 individuals experiencing homelessness in Washtenaw County; 1,592 are children and youth."

"1,478 men and women experiencing homelessness sought shelter and services at the Robert J. Delonis Center." According to the same report, the Delonis Center expenses for the 2008-2009 fiscal year ending June 30, 2009 totaled $2.2 million.

This is change

We'd like to think our activity this year has helped in a small way to prompt funding, political action, and policy change in our county. Certainly many organizations and concerned citizens have advocated on behalf of the homeless.

This is change:

http://www.annarbor.com/news/government/washtenaw-county-community-leaders-working-to-expanding-homeless-support-system-this-winter/

Ann Arbor is adding more beds!

We are very excited with the news that the Delonis Shelter in Ann Arbor is adding more beds and chairs to their warming center this winter.

The article is here: http://www.annarbor.com/news/government/washtenaw-county-community-leaders-working-to-expanding-homeless-support-system-this-winter/