Ypsilanti council asks county for shelter funding, urges unarmed crisis-response pilot

The Ypsilanti City Council unanimously approved two resolutions Wednesday asking Washtenaw County to allocate funding for a permanent shelter in eastern Washtenaw County and to support an unarmed, nonpolice crisis response program.

The shelter resolution asks the county to provide capital and operating support for a facility to serve people experiencing homelessness in the Ypsilanti area and says the city will work with county agencies, community mental-health providers and local service organizations to identify sites, develop services and set monitoring measures. The companion resolution asks county partners to fund and help set up a trauma-informed, noncoercive unarmed crisis-response program and directs city staff to work with the county and local partners to develop an RFP and program goals.

Both measures came after a lengthy public-comment period in which more than two dozen residents and local service providers urged council to act on housing and crisis response. “Permanent shelter and unarmed non-police crisis response are invaluable resources to this community,” said Shannon Armstrong, a local advocate, and echoed by others representing housing agencies and the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County. Dan Kelly, director of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, told the council his organization is seeing higher acuity among guests and said a permanent location could improve care and continuity of services.

Council members said the request is a first step: the measures ask the county to prioritize funding and invite county staff and local partners to collaborate. Councilmember Desiree Simmons, who sponsored the shelter resolution, said she had already discussed possible county-owned buildings in Ypsilanti and that the ask was intended to “put the ball in the county’s court” and speed planning. Simmons added the resolutions aim to create an inclusive process with resident input and regular reporting back to council.

Councilmember Amber Fellows, sponsor of the unarmed-crisis resolution, said the RFP will emphasize measurable outcomes, such as reducing police involvement and improving connections to long-term care. During debate, multiple council members asked that county partners — including Washtenaw County Community Mental Health, the sheriff’s office and other municipalities — be explicitly named as collaborators; the final motions reflect that change.

Commissioner Annie Somerville, who joined the meeting by Zoom, explained how millage funds and county budget processes work and confirmed the board of commissioners approves departmental budgets. She told council that the city could pursue millage-supported funding directly or partner with local nonprofit organizations on applications when county RFPs are released.

Councilmembers and staff also discussed short-term options — such as expanded warming centers, safe parking or sanctioned camping — as interim measures while a permanent shelter is planned, but agreed to treat those topics as separate work streams.

Votes at the meeting were recorded by roll call: both resolutions passed with yes votes from all members present. Council directed staff to develop the RFP language, to engage community and county partners, and to return to council with recommended next steps and regular progress reports.

The council forwarded the resolutions to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners, the county sheriff’s office and county mental-health officials for consideration and funding discussions.

Ending: Council members said they expected further planning and community engagement in the months ahead, and that execution will depend on county budget decisions, site availability and partnerships with local service providers.