Detroit council upholds Homeless Solutions funding chart, denies Legal Aid appeal

The Detroit City Council Committee of the Whole voted to accept the Housing Revitalization Department's recommendations for Homeless Solutions funding and denied an appeal from Legal aid and Defender.

HRD staff told the committee the Homeless Solutions package combines Community Development Block Grant and Emergency Solutions Grant funds totaling just under $5,000,000 and includes 31 activities. Chris Gulak, CPC staff, said 29 groups applied and 21 are recommended for funding; the chart before council lists the mayor's recommendations and HRD's scoring.

The funding recommendations were approved by voice vote after a motion; council members indicated no objections. Council President Mary Sheffield presided over the session and President Pro Tem James Tate moved to support the HRD and CPC recommendation to deny the single formal appeal from Legal aid and Defender. Gulak told council, "if council is satisfied with that response then council would vote whether to accept or deny the appeal." The motion to deny the appeal passed with no objections.

HRD staff outlined why several applicants scored below the 80…