Bay City approves $400,000 package to launch Good Samaritan drop‑in center for people experiencing homelessness

The Bay City Commission on Tuesday voted to authorize start‑up funding for an overnight drop‑in center operated by Good Samaritan Rescue Mission, approving a $250,000 capital allocation from Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $150,000 from the city’s marijuana tax revenue for one year of operations.

The vote on a commission resolution to support the proposal passed 7–2 after more than an hour of questions from commissioners and public comment about scope, costs and whether surrounding jurisdictions should share funding.

The proposal calls for Good Samaritan to renovate roughly 2,000–2,500 square feet in the southern part of its building, creating a simple drop‑in area with up to 35 places where people can come each night from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. The center would not provide sleeping rooms but would offer a safe, warm place, meals, laundry and connections to case management, medical outreach and housing providers. The only stated rules would be no weapons and no drugs on site.

“This is a lifeline,” Commissioner Hilliker said during debate, arguing the site is intended to reach people who will not come into a traditional shelter and to…