You mention that HDC “attempt(ed) to modify its project”. I have documented that in my post [link] in which I note that HDC shifted from the original plan for mostly housing and office to one that included a hotel and conference center. The site plan was actually approved by the Planning Commission just before the rug was pulled out by Council. In my post, I link (by inference) that event to emerging plans by others for a hotel and conference center. I interviewed Bob Jacobson for the post (did not quote him as he had a lawsuit against the city at the time) and he had actually talked with one of the originators of the Valiant proposal about his idea.

In the Washtenaw Housing Alliance’s annual Point in Time Count, conducted in January 2013 in conjunction with Washtenaw County, we learned that the number of people considered to be chronically homeless has nearly doubled over the count conducted in 2011. We must assume that at least a part of the reason for this increase is that we have so little suitable housing available.

While it is clear that decisions have been made not to replace the housing on the former Y site, the Ann Arbor community still has a huge need for affordable housing with supportive services for the people who are most vulnerable in our community. Hopefully, the Planning Commission members will take note of this need as they make their recommendations to the City Council.