After a request for legislation to Ypsilanti City Council, the Ypsilanti Freighthouse was approved to be a warming center this winter.

On Sept. 27, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) was entered by the city between Ypsilanti City Council and the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, which describes the details of the agreement for the new center.

"On average we saw about 30 folks per day during the coldest weeks and months of the winter and the Freighthouse was transformed as a safe space for those most vulnerable in our community,“ the request stated.

In the winter of 2021, the partnership began between the City Council and the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County with the goal to provide support for people experiencing homelessness in Ypsilanti.

"We're very appreciative of the partnership with the City of Ypsilanti to provide day-time sheltering services to those experiencing homelessness in Ypsilanti at the Shelter Association," Daniel Kelly, executive director of the shelter association, said. "It means a great deal to our organization and our efforts to expand services throughout the county to meet guest's needs.”

Kelly said that the goal of the organization is to "end homelessness, one person at a time.”

The City of Ypsilanti provided the association with the space for the warming center, as well as funds for the operation.

“Our agreement with the City of Ypsilanti is to work in partnership to provide day-time shelter support for those experiencing homelessness,“ Kelly said. "The Ypsilanti day shelter serves anyone in need of a safe place to go to stay warm, connect with a case manager about housing or other supportive service needs, eat a hot meal, or access to clothing and other basic needs.”

At the start of the pandemic, the previous warming center, located at the Riverside Arts Center, was closed.

The new warming center opened Nov. 7 and will run until Mar. 31 with hours from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. These hours were created for people to easily transition from day to night shelter, said the request for legislation.

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