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City council liaison warns social-service organizations are strained; cites AmeriCorps cuts and paused sustainability work in Bryant neighborhood
Summary
Ayesha Godsey Edwin, Ann Arbor city council liaison to the Human Rights Commission, told commissioners that local social-service providers are struggling, AmeriCorps funding and staffing losses are affecting services, and a federal grant-backed geothermal project in the Bryant neighborhood is on hold.
Ayesha Godsey Edwin, the city council liaison to the Ann Arbor Human Rights Commission, told commissioners the city is seeing acute strain among local social-service organizations and that several matters may come before council during the budget season.
Godsey Edwin said some nonprofit partners have experienced staff losses and funding interruptions. She said Food Gatherers has frozen operations in certain areas and that one local organization lost its AmeriCorps staff. She reported citizens and service providers are contacting council members seeking emergency assistance as the city enters its budget season.
Godsey Edwin said council debated a second phase of study on a Municipal Electric Utility (MEU), including whether Ann Arbor should develop local generation and operate its own system; she said she opposed that MEU vote. She also raised legal and coordination questions about previously discussed litigation regarding AmeriCorps cancellations: the city had been considering joining other municipalities in litigation but then decided not to join that action, she said.
On neighborhood sustainability, Godsey Edwin said Bryant neighborhood work — a multi-step project that previously included insulation, roof repair, home electrification and solar — had progressed to plans for geothermal systems funded by a federal grant. She said work on geothermal installations has been paused and that the Office of Sustainability faces uncertainty that could jeopardize larger grants tied to the project.
Godsey Edwin asked commissioners to consider whether the HRC could support community organizations in areas beyond direct funding, such as liaisoning with partners, helping convene educational sessions for immigrants about rights, or supporting organizations serving LGBTQ youth who, she said, are reporting high levels of suicidality. She also urged commissioners to consider outreach and to identify if there are roles the commission could play while municipal budgets are examined.
She encouraged commissioners to coordinate with county partners where appropriate and to prepare for community groups to request emergency assistance during budget deliberations.
