Delonis Center adding accommodations for displaced Camp Take Notice residents
Related story: Churches rally around Camp Take Notice as eviction date nears
Downtown Ann Arbor's homeless shelter is preparing for the scheduled June 22 shutdown of Camp Take Notice by temporarily adding beds.
The Delonis Center, 312 W. Huron St., will open its doors to up to 50 additional people in order to accommodate displaced campers transitioning from the outdoor tent city west of Ann Arbor to subsidized housing.
The shelter offers 75 beds on a permanent basis, but will expand to its winter season capacity and staffing levels to accommodate an expected influx following the shutdown of the camp, which according to organizers is currently home to 66 people.
The Delonis Center (above) will open its doors to up to 50 additional people as Camp Take Notice residents transition from the homeless encampment to subsidized housing.
File photo
“It’s not going to be possible to get everybody housed (by June 22),” said Julie Steiner, executive director of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance. “The first floor (of the Delonis Center) will be set up how the warming center is set up in the winter for the people that are being worked with to get housing.”
The Michigan Department of Transportation on May 29 ordered residents of Camp Take Notice to leave by June 22 or face possible arrest on trespassing charges.
The notice came in conjunction with the announcement of the MSHDA program, which offers subsidies for up to 40 households. A multi-person dwelling is still considered a single household.
According to John Loring with the Washtenaw County Homeless Project Outreach Team, 31 people have filled out paperwork for the subsidy programs so far.
“A lot of people are signing up as couples, or trying to work out situations to live with other people from camp, so that gives us a little bit of wiggle room moving forward,” Loring said.
Through the MSHDA subsidy program, rent will be provided exclusively to Camp Take Notice residents for up to one year.
Sally Harrison, director of the rental assistance and homeless solutions division of MSHDA, said she’s received plenty of offers from landlords with space hoping to set up a standard beginning of the month move ins.
“We’ve had an overwhelming response from local landlords trying to pull it all together, but some may not be ready until July 1,” Harrison said.
The cap for the subsidy is based on the standard of living in the dwelling's location as well as other factors such as how many people reside in the unit. In Ann Arbor, the cap would be approximately $750 for a single bedroom apartment and around $950 for a two-bedroom.
Loring said he anticipates some apartment complexes will be able to accommodate the unorthodox move-in date, even if subsidy money isn't necessarily in the mail at the time.
“They may not have check in hand, but we have a relationship with landlords that we're hoping to be able to leverage,” Loring said. "June 22 is tough, but we're moving forward."
The Delonis Center is receiving funding to assist with the implementation of the subsidy program, and will also provide its other services - such as counseling and case workers - to all Camp Take Notice residents who take advantage of the subsidy program.
Steiner said the Delonis Center is working on budget proposals to operate at its winter capacity year-round, but is not in a position to do so yet. She said the shelter’s warming center is typically open for around six months, depending on the weather.
Delonis officials reported a budget of $80,822 for 30 weeks of operation at winter capacity last year. The homeless center is operated by the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, a partnership of public and private groups.
Some supporters of the camp have criticized the subsidy program as an incomplete and temporary solution.
"My personal opinion is that the money could be better used to purchase a piece of land where we can continue our work," said Brian Durrance, vice president for Michigan Itinerant Shelter System-Interdependent Out of Necessity (MISSION) a non-profit organization that helps support the tent city.
Contact Pete Cunningham at petercunningham@annarbor.com or by phone at 734-623-2561. Follow him on Twitter@petcunningham.
Comments
jns131
Mon, Jun 18, 2012 : 5:01 p.m.
Isn't this what that building was built for? Take these people in? What they need is to find a job. Doesn't matter what, just something that won't over burden everyone else. Glad to hear that building taking them in. What about that church rally? Are they going to take some in too?
Unusual Suspect
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 2:28 a.m.
"around $950 for a two-bedroom" Holy cow. Add another $100 on that and you have my mortgage payment for a 1500 square-foot, 3-bedroom house within the Ann Arbor city limits, in a very nice, safe neighborhood, 2 blocks from an elementary school.
jns131
Tue, Jun 19, 2012 : 1:42 p.m.
Try that price in NYC for a one bedroom. Sucks doesn't it?
SicknTired
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 9:51 p.m.
Every day, all day long, parents and family members visit, pick up and drop off camp residents (with purchased goodies in tow--sometimes so much they have to drop it off by the side of the road and return in trips to get their booty to their camp.) All of these family members (yes-I've heard them called Mom and Dad) drive better cars than me. I work a minimum wage job with no Health Insurance, even though I have a graduate degree. (Not complaining though; it's honest work and I pay my own bills.) My point is: these family members are obviously in a position to help and yet they're not taking them in. So sorry Madhatter--although I applaud your idea, for whatever reason, many of the camper's families don't want them living with them either. Or perhaps the campers themselves are turning down the invitation to go home to Mixmaster's "dry place to sleep." And Mixmaster, either way, you might want to ask yourself why? Last Sunday a man died in his tent of a drug overdose, yet we are told the camp doesn't tolerate drug or alcohol use. A few weeks ago there was a propane explosion at the camp. Every day but one this week there have been police dispatched to the camp. Monday, there were nine police cruisers parked outside my home. I could go on, but as my post name implies I am so tired of it as are most of the people in the neighborhood who are affected by it. And I'm sure this next comment will raise some hackles: those of you who think you're helping are enabling. I have no doubt that some of the campers are good people down on their luck, maybe even through no fault of their own. I wish them the best and hope this gives them the helping hand they so desperately need. They will climb out of this and regain their self respect. For the remainder of the campers, I hope they find their self respect as well.
Mike
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 4:05 p.m.
Maybe they've become tired of their drug addicted children so they're happy with them living out of their houses and in a camp, but at the same time they are there children and they worry about them. Not a pretty situation at all...........
Madhatter
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 10:24 p.m.
I too wish the campers the best of luck at the Delonis Center. I looked up some information to assist those in need. If you are homeless and need housing assistance, you can go to www.annarborshelter.org or call the listed number on the website at: 734-961-1999. The Robert J. Delonis Center is located at 312 W. Huron St., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103. The phone number for the Delonis Center is listed on the website as: 734-662-2829 To anyone that would like to help, donations are accepted on the annarborshelter.org website. You can also find information regarding how you can volunteer your time. Thank you to everyone at the Delonis Center for your hard for and dedication to improving the lives of these future residents; your efforts are appreciated.
Madhatter
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 4:22 p.m.
I understand the concern that some people have regarding the amount of money spent. Another option might be to buy them a one-way bus or plane ticket to another state or city where they have relatives or friends that can help them. Some governments have done this, and it would be a lot cheaper to buy a bus or plance ticket instead of paying for ongoing assistance. Perhaps a nonprofit or charity could also help buy some bus or plane tickets to send these people to locales where they would be better appreciated.
Madhatter
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 7:54 p.m.
20 vouchers for $750 over the course of a year equal $180,000. We could actually take the $180,000 and provide 360 people with train, plane, and bus tickets up to $500 each to go visit relatives and friends that can help them. That would be plenty to send away all the campers and other homeless people that are driving up costs for the government. In addition, we would be reuiniting familites. It could be a win-win situation. It's obvious that their job searches aren't going well here. Maybe they would have better luck in other areas of the country, especially if a relative or friend is helping them. In addition, the travel ticket initiative would unclog the congestion that so many people are reporting at local shelters.
Madhatter
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 7:22 p.m.
Why should I feel shame when all I am trying to do is reunite families? I just want to help an unfortunate person get to a relative for assistance.
mixmaster
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 7:11 p.m.
I'm sure that the folks in those other places will thank you for your generosity. And the CTN folks get a vacation. lol. Shame on you.
Madhatter
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 6:11 p.m.
I checked on the cost of an Amtrak ticket to San Francisco from Ann Arbor, the cost is $382 for a one-way trip. So $382 for the ticket and also some spending cash for food and snacks, maybe a book to read. I rounded the cost off to $500. Now, if 50 people pledged $10 each we can send a camper to San Francisco with absolutely no government help. We can also send people to other destinations on Amtrak--it doesn't have to be San Francisco. The train goes to many parts of the country. I figured Amtrak might be a good option because it could always use the extra sales revenue and so many people are for trains. Look at what we can save in tax revenue: If someone takes a one bedroom for $750 a month over a year the cost would be $9,000--that doesn't include the cost of food stamps and other benefits.
Madhatter
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 3:33 p.m.
I'm all for the Delonis Center accepting these homeless "campers." As I have written in the past, these services are used to help the homeless and hopefully get them back on their feet. The people will eventually learn that they need to live by the rules of society or they are on their own. I wish all of these "campers" the best of luck with getting back on their feet and getting their lives together.
Madhatter
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 4:33 p.m.
mixmaster--I made it very clear that I have no intentions of taking in any homeless people, and I make no apologies for that. I also don't give money to any homeless people that panhandle off highway ramps. In addition, I don't support churches that advocate for CTN or camps similar to it. No remorse here from this "evil" conservative libertarian. As I wrote before, there are resources set up for these people, but access to those resources involve following the rules of society and exercising personal responsability. . If I ever became homeless, I would easily understand that I have to follow the rules of society and work hard to get myself out of this mess. I would expect nobody to pity me or feel sorry for me. I would set goals and objectives to accomplish and work very hard to make sure I met those goals. Even as a homeless person, I would hold my head high and work to move forward.
mixmaster
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 4:21 p.m.
As long as it doesn't cost you anything. When are you going to take in a few homeless like you keep asking everyone?
SicknTired
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 2:45 p.m.
a2gretta: There are family neighborhoods all around it and the residents of CTN don't just stay in their camp. Where do think they catch the bus, go to purchase goods? Where do think their friends, supporters and parents park their cars, pick them up for lunch and dinner and deliver donations? There is a nursery school not five hundred feet from the camp and a quiet little neighborhood that has been turned upside down on Elizabeth Rd and Dexter Ave.
SicknTired
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.
mixmaster; "So where do these people go for a dry place to sleep? I guess your answer is anywhere but here." Don't presume to know what my answer is. You don't know me and I don't know you. I would never make the same mistake with you. I worked with recovering addicts for several years. One of the answers to this complex problem is accountability. It doesn't cost anything. It's one of those "grown-up" qualities that children never develop and adults tend to lose very rapidly when everything is handed to them.
Seth Best
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 2:49 a.m.
There not funding for 40 household, there is only funding for 25.
pbehjatnia
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 11:46 p.m.
$750 for a one bedroom and $950 for a two bedroom? I am disgusted. I know so many hard working people in this area - multiple jobs to make ends meet - who cannot afford these rents and yet my tax dollars will go to pay for CTN squatters who don't want to pay their own d.....ed way. If these churches and orgs are so intensely interested paying for squatters - let 'em do it on their own dime and and their own property.
Jack Campbell
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 1:02 a.m.
I agree, It is absolutely outrageous!
SicknTired
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:53 p.m.
These well-intentioned "supporters" should have the campers living in their neighborhood for almost three years. Just as the church that used to have a shelter on their property but found it attracted drinking and fighting and were forced to discontinue it, they would find out that this type of community attracts exactly those behaviors. This is what the Camp Take Notice surrounding neighborhood residents have been complaining about for some time now. (And they've been villified for it!) Unfortunately, there are mental illness, addiction, criminal behavior and just plain "don't give a hoot about trying to be a good citizen" problems that won't be solved by throwing money at them.
Madhatter
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 7:37 p.m.
As I wrote previously, why don't we, as citizens, band together and start pitching in $10 or $20 each to send these people off to visit relatives or friends? We'll pool our money and put them on a train to wherever their families or friends are. This would be a solution that requires no tax money, reunities families--something many churches believe in, saves the government money, shrinks the size of government needed, increases property values, potentially lowers taxes, makes the area more attractive for commercial and residential activity, and even promotes a cleaner environment. Families are some of the strongest relationships, and they can definately help improve the lives of people. If the initiative is strong enough, we might even be able to form a nonprofit organization--one that will benefit the community instead of polarize it. Creating a nonprofit might even mean that the donations could be tax-deductable.
a2gretta
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 2:28 p.m.
Camp Take Notice sits between two expressways and an overpass. Where are the neighbors?
mixmaster
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 11:14 p.m.
All support services at the state, local and federal levels for the homeless and those with mental illness have been gutted by ultra conservative right wingers in the last couple of decades. So where do these people go for a dry place to sleep? I guess your answer is anywhere but here.
mixmaster
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:49 p.m.
Here's the difference. Liberals want to help. Conservatives don't.
Mike
Sun, Jun 17, 2012 : 4:02 p.m.
Wanting to help and being able to afford to are two diffrent things. Do you borrow money on your credit card so you can donate it to your favaorite charity? That's what the government is doing and for some reason you want them to continue to do so.
poohbah
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:40 p.m.
As I said years ago when the Delonis Center's construction was under discussion: Build it, they will come. They sure have.
Madhatter
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 7:42 p.m.
Read my post regarding having citizens pitch in $10 or $20 to put these people on a bus or train to go visit relatives. We would be reuiniting these unfortunate people with their families so they can get help and move on.
pbehjatnia
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 11:47 p.m.
the point is that ann arbor is a magnet for people looking for a handout and it is and has been out of control for a long long while now.
mixmaster
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:45 p.m.
The homeless were here long before the Delonis Center. What's your point?
Jack Campbell
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:14 p.m.
They should be turned away if they're not from Ann Arbor. We don't need to house all of Michigan's homeless in our city.
mixmaster
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:44 p.m.
And what facts do you have to back up your hyperbolic claim that Ann Arbor houses all of Michigan's homeless people?
Linda Peck
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:44 p.m.
I think the shelter is doing an amazing job of moving quickly to get these people housed inside. I will send a donation to help with this. I understand from the article that this is a temporary solution for an emergency situation.
djm12652
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:52 p.m.
It's not an emergency situation...there has been plenty of notice of what was going to happen. Now we will assume the burden of those that really don't want housing.
motorcycleminer
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:10 p.m.
Our fair city has no problem letting the 1 % ..I mean 99 % ers squat on city land , IE: Liberty plaza...Just let these folks move downtown. the homeless pretty run rampant as it is there now...
mixmaster
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:46 p.m.
On what are you basing your "observance" that homeless people run rampant in downtown? Ever go there much?
Mike
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:05 p.m.
"Residents of Camp Take Notice - located in a state highway median off of Wagner Road in Scio Township - are eligible for housing subsidies being offered by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, but organizers are anticipating a gap between the camp's closing and housing availability.""The cap for the subsidy is based on the standard of living in the dwelling's location as well as other factors such as how many people reside in the unit. In Ann Arbor, the cap would be approximately $750 for a single bedroom apartment and around $950 for a two-bedroom." You can get a studio apartment at Spicetree for the high $400's and a two bedroom for about $685. Why are the taxpayers shelling out up to $950? Are these folks drug tested? Or are we just throwing tax dollars out the window with no strings attached? Wake up taxpayers...................
Mike
Sat, Jun 16, 2012 : 3:30 a.m.
mixmaster - the support system is paid for by taxpayers not those receiving support or by the federal government that can print money. Many of those people are able to work but would have to give up benefits they receive so it is not economically feasable in their mind. The support system you speak of is now on life support and will collapse under it's own weight. The nation is 16 trillion in debt and climbing. All able bodied people need to work even at low paying jobs so we can create tax payers who can then help support the social systems you so cherish. Why doesn't the fiscal reality resonate with folks like yourself? Please enlighten me.......I'm serious, please tell me how this can contnue on.
mixmaster
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 9:43 p.m.
Because not everyone's a lucky to have a job, a dry place to sleep and a support system, you know the support system that is slowly being dismantled by right wing conservatives, like you, Mike
djm12652
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 8:51 p.m.
That would be the price for a two bedroom within the downtown area in low income housing....oh yeah...how come I have to work every day to pay my rent?
xmo
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:27 p.m.
Rather than solve the problem of Homelessness some people want to keep these poor people homeless for political gain! ""My personal opinion is that the money could be better used to purchase a piece of land where we can continue our work," said Brian Durrance, vice president for Michigan Itinerant Shelter System-Interdependent Out of Necessity (MISSION) a non-profit organization that helps support the tent city. "
pbehjatnia
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 11:51 p.m.
thank you for saying it.
mixmaster
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 10:48 p.m.
Ultra conservative right wing Republicans use the homeless people as a political issues as much of not more than any other political party. And you prove that as fact.
Atticus F.
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:34 p.m.
I agree with you for once... There are more affordable solutions than to purchase $950/month leases for each indavidual.
John of Saline
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:22 p.m.
You mean the people at the big rally won't be taking them into their homes?
Atticus F.
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:31 p.m.
You know, there are other ways of helping than to let a stranger into your home. That shouldn't be too hard to comprehend...
mixmaster
Fri, Jun 15, 2012 : 5:30 p.m.
You first, John. And Saline contributes nothing to helping the homeless except to complain.