Bay City approves $400,000 to fund overnight drop-in center at Good Samaritan Rescue Mission

The Bay City Commission voted 7–2 to approve a resolution funding a proposed overnight drop-in center operated by Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, allocating $250,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) capital funds for renovations and $150,000 in local marijuana-tax revenue to support 12 months of operations.

Dan Streeter, with Rescue Ministries of Mid Michigan, told commissioners the proposed drop-in center would convert about 2,000 square feet in the southern part of the Good Samaritan building into a low-barrier, no-questions-asked space for people who will not enter a conventional shelter. "It would not be about sheltering at night. It would not be about sleeping accommodations," Streeter said, describing a layout of roughly 4-by-4-foot spaces and chairs, dimmed lighting, meals, showers and laundry access.

Streeter said staff modeled the plan on a Lansing drop-in program that drew 60–80 people nightly and improved connections to housing and health services. He told commissioners the space would be open each night from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., that renovations could begin after city approval and funding steps and that services likely would not be available until May or June. "We would open it at 8 pm and then close at 8 am so it could be there for them overnight," Streeter said.

Commissioners asked about capacity, data collection, partnerships and funding. Streeter said the center is sized for about 35 spots and that some nights 25–35 people would be expected to use it. He said the shelter uses the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) for clients who consent to data collection, and that Bay Area Behavioral Health, medical mobile units and Mid Michigan Community Action Agency were among potential partners for outreach and housing assistance. "For those that participate in our impact design program, that number of staying stably housed goes from about a 50% success rate to a 93% success rate," Streeter said of related Good Samaritan programs.

Several commissioners and public commentators said the center addresses an immediate need. Commissioner Tenney called the situation "not perfect" but said it addresses a gap for vulnerable people; Commissioner Hilliker characterized the proposal as "a lifeline" for a hard-to-reach population. Multiple public speakers representing unions, social-service groups and residents urged the commission to fund the project but also asked the city to seek county and regional partners and to plan for longer-term treatment and recovery housing.

Funding details included in the approved resolution: $250,000 of CDBG funds restricted to capital expenditures for renovation and $150,000 from the city's Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act (MRTMA) tax allocations for operational support (twelve months). City staff said the CDBG allocation will be processed as a substantial amendment to prior CDBG program years and posted for public comment as required by HUD before being executed; staff told commissioners that the city has used annual CDBG public-service allocations (about $30,000–$35,000) in prior years and that the $250,000 here is drawn from general CDBG balances and administrative/housing-rehab funds freed by other ARPA-supported activity.

The approved motion included reporting requirements: the resolution requires periodic financial reports, operational performance reviews (number served, services provided, outcomes) and public feedback as part of ongoing oversight. The roll-call vote on the resolution was: Prince, Tenney, Hilliker, DeWitt, Bloomberg, Charlebois and Morris — yes; Coakley and Bernie Obershop — no. The motion passed 7 yes, 2 no.

City staff said the center would require additional implementation steps including contractor quotes, building-permit review, and completion of the HUD substantial-amendment process; staff estimated roughly 90 days for due diligence and 30–60 days of renovations once funding and approvals are in place. Streeter said additional fundraising and county conversations would be needed to sustain the program beyond the first year of operations.

Why this matters: city officials and service providers said a low-barrier drop-in center can connect people who avoid shelters to housing and health supports and create a predictable location for outreach. Public speakers and some commissioners urged the city to coordinate with county partners and service providers to expand long-term recovery housing and treatment capacity in addition to funding this center.