Investing in human services will pay off in future cost-saving and improved quality of life

Posted on Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 6:27 a.m.

Investing in human services will pay off in future cost-saving and improved quality of life

By Guest Column

A recent Detroit News article, "Ann Arbor struggles with homeless influx," focused on the more sensationalistic aspects of homelessness in Ann Arbor, including panhandling and the migration of non-county homeless individuals into our community, rather than presenting the well-balanced reality of the situation.

Though services may draw some homeless individuals to the Ann Arbor area, more than 90 percent of those served by the Delonis Center and the 50 community-based agencies funded by the city and county come from within our community.

Ellen Schulmeister: More than 90 percent of the people served by the homeless center and local nonprofits come from Washtenaw County.

Reporter Francis X. Connelly's article painted an inaccurate picture that the $2.3 million invested by the city and county go toward services to homeless adults who come here from outside of the county. Further, his article extends the inaccurate argument that investment in public safety has been cut because of investment in human services. The balance between a social safety net and public safety may be too complex or inconvenient to be covered in the article, but the fact is that investing in human services creates downstream cost-savings and improved quality of life. The shelter, supportive housing, food, medical care, children & youth programming, and counseling services reduce involvement in the adult and juvenile justice systems, emergency room visits, psychiatric hospitalizations, and school failure. Beyond reducing the demand for more costly services, local nonprofits bring in an average of ten dollars for every dollar invested by City Council and the Board of Commissioners. The more than $30 million in expenditures by these nonprofits - and the staff they employ - adds to the health of our local economy and tax base, creating revenue to pay for police, fire, and other crucial services to all residents.

Admittedly, aggressive panhandling cannot be tolerated, and all agencies serving the homeless work together with city and county governments to address this problem. We need residents and visitors to feel safe and comfortable in our city, so that Ann Arbor can continue to be one of the premier communities in the nation. We need residents and visitors to come downtown, to shop, dine, and invest, and these experiences must not be impeded by negative influences - especially those coming from other counties or states.

Like communities throughout the nation, Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County have seen an increase in demand for basic needs, and nearly all of this need is coming from within our borders. Poverty, hunger, housing crises and homelessness, abuse and neglect, school failure, mental health struggles, and lack of access to quality healthcare are ultimately local issues. They affect all communities, and Ann Arbor is no exception.

We are proud to be a part of a community that addresses the impact of homelessness on our residents in a responsible way, and grateful to our many supporters who help us do our work.

Ellen Schulmeister is the CEO of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County.

Comments

Charles

Wed, Nov 17, 2010 : 8:31 a.m.

Ellen writes, "Nearly all of this need is coming from within our borders." Maybe the borders of the state of Michigan but certainly not Washtenaw County. The Delonis Center does not require I.D. and the homeless quickly learn to say they are residents of Washtenaw County. Many, if not most, could not provide a legitimate local address if asked.

Huron74

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 3 p.m.

So Ellen why didn't you submit this to the Detroit News then? Their viewership is much bigger (I assume) and they owe you "equal time"?

Kristin Judge

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 2:22 p.m.

Thank you Ellen for pointing out the inaccuracies of the Detroit News article. How many of our Washtenaw County residents are a few paychecks or a medical expense away from losing their home? That number is growing every day, and it is people like you and all the people throughout the county who work with the homeless that understand the needs best. It has been a privilege to work with you and other members of the community to attempt to address the needs of our most vulnerable residents. There have always been Washtenaw County residents living under bridges and in alleyways. Unfortunately, that number is growing. I hope to be involved in finding solutions for our community on this issue. The residents of Camp Take Notice have helped bring the issue out of the dark alley and into the light. Now we need to be creative and open minded to find solutions that work. If any community is in a position to figure this out and implement real change, Washtenaw County is one that can do this!

KeepingItReal

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 10:30 a.m.

While I know that a number of concerns have been made about aggressive pandhandling and the homeless population in downtown Ann Arbor, quite frankly, I am more concerned about crossing the streets in downtown in the presence of drivers who are talking on their cell phones than I am about panhandlers. To me,they pose a much greater danger to our citizens but we ignore them. As a pedestrian, I was almost ran over by a cell phone driver.

gamebuster

Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 8:51 a.m.

Yes, its' true. I met that guy depicted on Detroit News. He was so upset as the writer wrongly reported that he had come from other state. He told me that he's back from other state to take care of his mom here and his sister is in Ypsilanti. I've served the homeless for more than 2 years. They are same old faces. I can even remember most of their names. I attended meeting "Religious Coalition for the homeless" two weeks ago. John from PORT also stated that the demolition of OLD YMCA has been big hit for them. Many of the residents from there are still living on the streets. John expects any advocates can work for affordable and SOS housing. They call them Housing therapy, in the long run. It can save bigger money on supportive services, police force, detox center, poison...