Agency official and residents thank Oakland County for emergency shelter funding

An agency official with the Safe Tonight Shelter thanked Oakland County leaders for emergency funding that kept the shelter open during one of the county's coldest winters and said the support helped move people into longer-term housing.

"Because of that partnership with Oakland County, 58 individuals housed within that shelter are now transitioning into, permanent transitional subsidized housing throughout the county," the agency official said, expressing gratitude for the board's earlier vote to provide emergency funding.

Two residents who used the shelter described how the program affected their lives. "2025 started off very hard, and it ended up leading to me living inside my vehicle," one resident said, describing how she stumbled upon the shelter and received help for herself and her children. She added, "I'm more confident now, and I'm extremely thankful for you guys for helping me."

A second resident recounted an on-the-job injury that led to job loss and homelessness. "3 months ago, I got hurt on the job. I lost my job to the point where I got behind and then I had to move out," the resident said, and thanked the shelter staff for opening their doors and providing a place to stay and rebuild.

The agency official closed by acknowledging that affordable housing remains a complex challenge and praising county leaders for acting on the emergency funding. "You chose to act and in doing so, you demonstrated what Oakland County does best. You've cared for 1 another," the official said.