$250,000 investment from KeyBank Foundation to expand warming center and support for homeless adults
The investment will help cover operating expenses, food, facility costs, and other resources needed to expand services for the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County.
The following story is part of a series highlighting solutions to housing and homelessness challenges in Washtenaw County. It is supported by the Ann Arbor Housing Development Corporation and University Bank.
As winter approaches, a $250,000 investment from the KeyBank Foundation will help expand shelter and support services for adults experiencing homelessness in Ypsilanti and eastern Washtenaw County.
Announced Oct. 21, the investment will support the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County’s warming center and daytime resource hub at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 120 N. Huron St., in Ypsilanti. Funding will help cover operating expenses, food, facility costs, and other resources needed to expand services. The center is expected to serve an average of 40 people daily and reach between 200 and 250 individuals annually. In addition to providing basic necessities, the program will connect participants with case management, housing assistance, health care, and other social services.
According to Meg Lower, regional communications manager for KeyBank, the investment reflects the bank’s commitment to addressing housing insecurity and bringing resources closer to residents who need them.
Lower says, “We hope this investment helps more people access the support they need to achieve greater stability and improve their quality of life. While the number of individuals served is important, success is also reflected in stronger connections to services, progress toward stable housing, and the positive impact the program has on people and families over time.”
The initiative anticipates approximately 25% of participants will engage in case management or supportive services, with at least 150 referrals made annually through community partnerships.
Versell Smith Jr., chief development officer for the Shelter Association, says addressing homelessness requires a collective community effort.
“In Washtenaw County, we have both the knowledge and the resources to end homelessness. What we need now is the collective will to turn possibility into reality.”
The Shelter Association of Washtenaw County has served nearly 15,000 individuals since 2011 and operates the county’s only year-round adult shelter. KeyBank has supported the organization for nearly 20 years. While the bank has not committed to additional funding beyond the current investment, Lower says it is exploring opportunities to deepen its relationship with the association.
The partnership with St. Luke’s officially launched on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026, with 30 confirmed spaces available for use at a time. The hours of operation for St. Luke’s daytime warming center are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. The overnight warming program, known as Ypsi’s Overnight 30, operates Monday-Friday at St. Luke’s and Saturday-Sunday at Ypsilanti’s Second Baptist Church, 301 S. Hamilton St.
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