JUNE 12, 2026 LIVING ARCHIVE TAKE NOTICE from last page One of those presiding was Rev. Ian Cross of Holy Faith Church in Saline, who later declared his intention to be arrested on the eviction day, “because I think that homelessness is being criminalized and swept under the rug. It needs to be visible, seen, dealt with.” Other community members at the event expressed support for CTN’s presence. “We would all want this camp to be closed — the right way,” said Daniel Fernandes, an employee at GM and part-time student at University of Michigan. He had joined other attendees of the prayer vigil in procession from the church to Liberty Plaza. Looking around at the assembly, he observed that community support had grown considerably over the past year. Some individuals and organizations see this as an opportunity to find better long-term solutions to homelessness in Washtenaw County. Chuck Warpehoski, director of the Interfaith Council for Peace and Justice and 2012 Ann Arbor City Council hopeful, would like the attention focused on CTN to be shifted to “the deeper problem of the lack of adequate, affordable, and supportive housing.” The Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA), made up of several organizations in the county who share the goal of ending homelessness in the region, has been working with MSHDA and state agencies to provide housing to the evicted campers. In a statement made in response to the CTN situation, WHA executive director Julie Steiner said, “We work together to ensure that residents at CTN have access to physical and mental health services, substance abuse treatment, employment support, shelter and, ultimately, housing.” Beyond eviction day Demonstrations in support of CTN’s plight continued in the camp’s final days, with significant attendance and media coverage. Though the eviction was scheduled for June 22, the date was extended thanks to conversations between MISSION and Mark Sweeney, regional manager for MDOT. The camp was given the weekend to finish moving campers to new sites and to hold a community cleanup effort, which would include volunteers from churches. Brian Durrance of MISSION expressed gratitude to Sweeney and MDOT for this extension and for allowing them to stay on the land for two years. He also spoke of the way in which CTN had educated people on the depth of the problem of homelessness in the area. “Lawmakers were unaware that there was such a need,” said Durrance. Moving forward, MISSION members still have been hoping to influence Governor Rick Snyder, the only elected official with the power to reverse MDOT’s decision, and are continuing discussions with all levels of government. Also, according to Durrance, MISSION has been in contact with local churches and lawyers, looking at the possibility of improving the current site or purchasing new land for a permanent Camp Take Notice. Perhaps most significantly, supporters of CTN saw the public outpouring of support and the willingness of decision makers to discuss options as a victory for the plight of the homeless. As Peggy Lynch, a MISSION member and CTN supporter who walked into the prayer vigil event and saw the large crowd gathered, declared: “We have already won.” No matter what ultimately becomes of the site and MISSION’s vision, one thing is sure: this camp was noticed. GROUNDCOVER NEWS Advocacy alert! June 16 City Council resolution to remove Ypsilanti homeless encampment At the June 2, 2026 Ypsilanti City Council meeting, Ward 1 Council member Me'Chelle King moved to place a resolution on the June 16, 2026 agenda to remove a homeless encampment in the Bell-Kramer neighborhood on the south side of the city. Many housed residents of Ward 1 spoke at the June 2 meeting asking for the removal of the encampment, citing fears of escalation. This decision follows the May 14 Click On Detroit news segment regarding a stolen bike; read more in the May 29, 2026 edition of Groundcover News. On Tuesday, June 16, 7 p.m., advocates can give public comment for three minutes in person at Ypsilanti City Hall, 1 S. Huron Street, or attend/speak remotely via the Zoom link accessible at cityofypsilanti.com/321/Mayor-City-Council Unable to make it? Email your City Council representative ahead of time cityofypsilanti.com/323/ Elected-Officials 13
14 Publizr Home