Shelter Association of Washtenaw County

What is the Shelter Association's mission?
The mission of the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County is ending homelessness one person at a time. Our core strategy for accomplishing this mission is to provide temporary shelter and supportive services in a safe and caring environment and to work with the community to allocate the necessary resources to meet the needs of individual adults who are homeless.
How long has it been in existence, and how many people are assisted?
The Shelter Association has existed for over twenty years. Last year, we provided temporary shelter and/or program services to approximarely1000 people.
What is the relationship between the Shelter Association and the Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA)?
The WHA has the broad mission to eliminate homelessness in Washtenaw County Toward this end, the WHA completed a capital campaign for the new shelter building, The Delonis Center, located at 312 West Huron Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 (734-662-2829). The WHA unveiled "A home for everyone: the blueprint to end homelessness in Washtenaw County" on September 21, 2004. To learn more about this community-wide effort visit www.ahomeforeveryone.org.
What is the main reason that people become homeless?
No income (68%).
What is the relationship between substance abuse and homelessness?
One condition does not necessarily cause the other, but each can exacerbate the other. Substance abuse can be both a precipitating factor and a consequence of homelessness.
Do people live at the Delonis Center?
No. They have up to a 90-day stay to get back on their feet.
How does the Shelter Association assist people who are chronically homeless?
The seriously mentally ill and those with such serious substance addictions that they refuse to enter a substance abuse treatment program comprise much of this group. The Shelter Association provides basic needs and medical assistance and provides access to the warming center and toilet, shower, and laundry facilities at the Delonis Center. Through meeting these basic needs and through medical outreach services, we sustain an ongoing effort to engage this population in services which will address the root causes of their chronic homelessness.
Where does the food come from?
The Shelter Association and Food Gatherers work together. The Delonis Center has a large community kitchen where the food is prepared and served.
Does the community kitchen take the burden off the local churches that have feeding programs?
Yes. Church volunteers still assist, but from a central location.
What programs does the Shelter Association offer?
The Shelter Association offers the following services for individuals experiencing homelessness: Warming Center; Health Clinic; Food Service (with Food Gatherers); Night Shelter; Referrals; Access to Substance Abuse Treatment; Employment Services; Housing Assistance; Benefits Assistance; Money Management; Mental Health Evaluations; Intensive Case Management. For a list of this week's on-site activities click here
What does it cost to help someone?
The operational cost averages out to about $1,000 per person served.
Where do the operating funds come from?
Operating funds come from donations, grants, and events. For a more detailed look at our revenue sources and expenditures you can access our most recent audited financial statement from the home page.
How many people work for the Shelter Association? Currently, there are 31 full-time and 9 part-time employees. Additionally, 300 volunteers contribute 19,000 hours/year, or the equivalent of nine full-time personnel. Our large volunteer program saves the organization roughly $275,000 per year.
What about the concern that the Delonis Center is a magnet for out-of-county homeless? The robust economy of Ann Arbor is a magnet, not the Delonis Center. Last year, of the people from out of the county, the majority (60%) were in Ann Arbor because of existing ties to the community or the opportunity for employment. The Shelter Association has not seen any increase in the number of people from out of county since moving into the new facility.
When did The Delonis Center open, and why is it next to downtown Ann Arbor? The Delonis Center opened in November, 2003. Its location was selected based upon several factors - among which were property cost and concentration of people who are homeless.

Will the Delonis Center and the Shelter Association's programs take the people who are homeless off the streets of Ann Arbor and the other cities in the county? It is expected that the number of people who are homeless in the downtown streets will be reduced. However, the Shelter Association's staff cannot force people off the streets and into the Delonis Center and the Shelter Association's programs.
What about panhandlers? Informational data show that 80% of the panhandlers are not homeless.