Alpena County extends Merchant’s Building warming shelter through Jan. 31
January 02, 2026 | Alpena County, Michigan
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The Alpena County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Jan. 2, 2026 to extend a cooperative service agreement with St. Vincent de Paul, allowing the Merchant’s Building warming shelter to remain open through Jan. 31, 2026.
County Administrator Jesse Osmer presented a tracking sheet showing shelter usage, turn‑aways and incidents, and said the cooperative service agreement expires on Jan. 6, not Jan. 9 as earlier believed. Tom LaCross, a board member with St. Vincent de Paul and All Saints Center for Charity, said operating a warming shelter is a new activity for the nonprofit and that insurance for such operations has been difficult to obtain; he asked the county for additional time so the organization can try to secure coverage.
Victoria Purvis, housing director for the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMCSA), told commissioners that more than 100 people are sleeping outdoors in Alpena. Purvis said 33 people have self‑resolved, left the area, moved to other shelters or become housed, and staff have tried to contact 66 others who have not responded; NEMCSA plans targeted street outreach to notify people the shelter is open.
All Saints Center Director Christina Kihn said about 28 volunteers are available to staff the shelter, the site can take at least 30 people and she has 15 extra cots. Kihn reported one incident in which a physically handicapped, confused individual was dropped off by Dial‑A‑Ride; EMS responded and took the person to the hospital, an intervention Kihn said likely saved a life. Kihn also said the shelter policy does not allow people who are not Alpena city or county residents to stay.
Commissioner Bill Peterson moved to extend the agreement; Commissioner Brenda Foumier supported the motion. A roll call vote recorded AYES from Commissioners Bill LaHaie, Dan Ludlow, Lucille Bray, Bill Peterson, Brenda Foumier, Todd Britton, Travis Konarzewski and Chairman John Kozlowski. The motion carried. The board directed Chairman Kozlowski and Commissioner Bray to meet with St. Vincent de Paul and All Saints Center for Charity and provide updates to the Finance, Ways & Means Committee and at the next full board meeting.
No additional public comments were recorded. The meeting adjourned at 1:52 p.m.
County Administrator Jesse Osmer presented a tracking sheet showing shelter usage, turn‑aways and incidents, and said the cooperative service agreement expires on Jan. 6, not Jan. 9 as earlier believed. Tom LaCross, a board member with St. Vincent de Paul and All Saints Center for Charity, said operating a warming shelter is a new activity for the nonprofit and that insurance for such operations has been difficult to obtain; he asked the county for additional time so the organization can try to secure coverage.
Victoria Purvis, housing director for the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency (NEMCSA), told commissioners that more than 100 people are sleeping outdoors in Alpena. Purvis said 33 people have self‑resolved, left the area, moved to other shelters or become housed, and staff have tried to contact 66 others who have not responded; NEMCSA plans targeted street outreach to notify people the shelter is open.
All Saints Center Director Christina Kihn said about 28 volunteers are available to staff the shelter, the site can take at least 30 people and she has 15 extra cots. Kihn reported one incident in which a physically handicapped, confused individual was dropped off by Dial‑A‑Ride; EMS responded and took the person to the hospital, an intervention Kihn said likely saved a life. Kihn also said the shelter policy does not allow people who are not Alpena city or county residents to stay.
Commissioner Bill Peterson moved to extend the agreement; Commissioner Brenda Foumier supported the motion. A roll call vote recorded AYES from Commissioners Bill LaHaie, Dan Ludlow, Lucille Bray, Bill Peterson, Brenda Foumier, Todd Britton, Travis Konarzewski and Chairman John Kozlowski. The motion carried. The board directed Chairman Kozlowski and Commissioner Bray to meet with St. Vincent de Paul and All Saints Center for Charity and provide updates to the Finance, Ways & Means Committee and at the next full board meeting.
No additional public comments were recorded. The meeting adjourned at 1:52 p.m.
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