HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2020.11.19 - 33897REQUESTING SUSPENSION
OF THE BOARD RULES FOR
IMMEDIATE CONSIDERATION
UNDER NEW BUSINESS
MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #20578
BY: Commissioners Helaine Zack, District #18; Marcia Gershenson, District #13; Michael Spisz, District
#3; Angela Powell, District #10; Gwen Markham, District #9; Kristen Nelson, District #5; Nancy Quarles,
District #17; Shelley Taub, District #12; Bob Hoffman, District #2; Penny Luebs, District #16; Michael
Gingell, District#1; Tom Middleton, District#4; Eileen Kowall, District#6; Christine Long, District#7; Philip
Weipert, District #8; Tom Kuhn, District #11; William Miller, District #14; Adam Kochenderfer, District #15;
David Woodward, District #19; Gary McGillivray, District #20; and Janet Jackson, District #21
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — DECLARE NOVEMBER 2020 AS HOMELESSNESS
AWARENESS MONTH IN OAKLAND COUNTY
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS when most people think about homelessness, their minds often jump to the image of someone
sleeping and living on the streets. But in reality, homelessness takes many forms and is not always obvious,
even from up close; and
WHEREAS there is no single experience of homelessness. For some, homelessness can be temporary
and brief while for others it can last for months or years; and
WHEREAS each person's experience is different, but data shows that there are alarming trends that should
be addressed in our communities; and
WHEREAS homelessness can essentially be broken down into four categories: chronic, episodic,
transitional, and hidden; and
WHEREAS in Michigan, there are families who lose their homes due to foreclosures or evictions, some
individuals are unable to pay rent due to financial insecurity, some are seniors who do not have enough
savings to stay in their home, and others are women and youth who cannot safely stay with their families;
and
WHEREAS while Michigan's economy has improved, that improvement has not translated to many people
living at or below the poverty level; and
WHEREAS historical and structural discrimination have led to a higher rate of persons of color experiencing
homelessness than their representation in the general population; and
WHEREAS African Americans and American Indian/Alaska Natives are most impacted. Historically,
structural obstacles for these groups have made access to quality affordable housing and economic mobility
difficult, and high rates of incarceration for persons of color creates difficulties in finding employment; and
WHEREAS In 2019, 67% of the homeless population was African American, but African Americans make
up only 14% of Oakland County Michigan's overall population; and
WHEREAS in Oakland County there are on any given night over 450 homeless people; and
WHEREAS almost 3,000 individuals experienced homelessness in Oakland County in 2019; and
WHEREAS most often these are the most vulnerable individuals that have experienced domestic violence,
those living in poverty, those who have disabilities, those with complex behavioral health and medical
needs, young adults aging out of foster care, older adults; LGBTQ, and our military veterans; and
WHEREAS resolving homelessness for many is further compromised by insufficient shelter beds, a lack of
affordable rental units in Oakland County, and income discrimination; and
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners declares
November 2020 as Homelessness Awareness Month in Oakland County.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners recognizes the needs of
its citizens experiencing homelessness and those agencies in the County who work diligently to resolve
homelessness one individual at a time.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners encourages all citizens to
get involved with local efforts to highlight the plight of homelessness.
Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing resolution.
Commissioner MGrshensonCommissioner Helaine s
District #18 District #13
Commissioner Michael Spisz
Dist ict #3
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Commissioner Gwen Markham
Dist ri t #9
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Com fission rNancy Quarles
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Commissioner o Hoffman
District #
Commissions ichael ngell
Dist a t#1
rssioner Eileer7Kowall
sr#6
Comm��V
ilil5Weipert
District #8
Commissioner William Miller
Distric 1 ,1
Commissioner David Woodward
Distri
Co issioner Janet Ja kd son
District #21
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Commissioner Angela
r Powell
Di tr'ct 1 fala\4
Commissioner Kristen Nelson
District #5
Commissions hly�lau�
Dist 'ct #12 p
Cof(m)miss'o er Penny Luebs
Di ct#16
Commissioner Tom Middleton
Dis Pict #4
Commissioner Christine Long U
District #7
Commissioner Tom Kuhn
District ��
Commissioner Adam Koche�pdrfer
District #15
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Commtssil r Gary McGillivr*
District #20
Commissioner
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Resolution #20578 November 19, 2020
Moved by Zack seconded by Nelson to suspend the rules and vote on Miscellaneous Resolution #20578 —
Board of Commissioners — Declare November 2020 as Homeless Awareness Month in Oakland County.
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the motion to suspend the rules and vote on Miscellaneous
Resolution #20578 — Board of Commissioners — Declare November 2020 as Homeless Awareness Month
in Oakland County carried.
Moved by Zack seconded by Nelson the resolution be adopted
Vote on resolution:
AYES: Jackson, Kochenderfer, Kowall, Kuhn, Long, Luebs, Markham, McGillivray, Middleton,
Miller, Nelson, Powell, Quarles, Spisz, Taub, Weipert, Woodward, Zack, Gershenson, Gingell,
Hoffman. (21)
NAYS: None. (0)
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the resolution was adopted.
Moved by Kowall seconded by Hoffman to add the names of all Commiss;: ners who voted in favor as co-
sponsors of the resolution.
A sufficient majority having voted in favor, the motion to add the names of all Commissioners who voted in
favor as co-sponsors of the resolution carried.
aL
I HEREBYAPPROVETHIS RESOLUTION
CHIEF DEPUTY COUNTY EXECUTIVE
ACTING PURSUANTTO MCL 45.559A V)
STATE OF MICHIGAN)
COUNTY OF OAKLAND)
I, Lisa Brown, Clerk of the County of Oakland, do hereby certify that the foregoing resolution is a true and
accurate copy of a resolution adopted by the Oakland County Board of Commissioners on November 19,
2020, with the original record thereof now remaining in my office.
In Testimony Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court at Pontiac.
Michigan this 19th day of November, 2020.
Lisa Brown, Oakland County