Ann Arbor approved $222,000 for emergency overnight shelter and warming centers this winter after a unanimous City Council vote.
The council voted 9-0 on Thursday, Nov. 5, to approve a contract with the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, according to MLive/The Ann Arbor News. The deal covers emergency overnight shelter and daytime warming centers from Nov. 1, 2026, through April 12, 2027, according to the city contract.
The contract calls for up to 200 additional overnight shelter spaces as needed. It also directs the association to coordinate overflow space between local faith congregations and the Delonis Center shelter downtown during extreme weather, as part of its existing shelter programs.
The city funding adds to about $2.5 million budgeted by Washtenaw County for the winter response, according to the city resolution.
Warming centers and additional support
Under the city contract, the association will run daytime warming centers at the Delonis Center seven days a week and in Ypsilanti Monday through Thursday.
MLive identifies the Ypsilanti location as St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and reports that Ypsilanti is contributing $100,000 toward the warming center. The church will also provide overnight shelter.
A KeyBank Foundation announcement says a $250,000 gift will help expand access to shelter and services, including the St. Luke’s location.
The association will also provide in-kind support estimated at $112,960 in a typical year, according to the city resolution.
The contract ties emergency overflow operations to severe winter conditions, including extreme cold, winter storms and related widespread power outages. The response will be coordinated with the Washtenaw County Emergency Services Division and informed by National Weather Service alerts.
The association is separately contracting with the county to staff emergency overflow shelter at a hotel. The city contract also requires help finding and moving into safe, affordable housing for people using the winter shelter program.
