DETROIT – Lawmakers in Lansing have about two weeks to pass a state budget. However, the state House and Senate appear to be at a stalemate.
This deadlock could have major implications for everything from education to public safety — and domestic violence shelters.
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If someone is in crisis, trying to escape an abuser, and shelter beds are full, a nonprofit might be able to secure a hotel room. Without funding, that option could disappear. A 24-hour hotline might have to reduce its hours.
Domestic violence can happen anywhere, at any time — and help might not be there when it’s needed most.
Dr. Sharman Davenport said, “They won’t be able to receive a lot of the essential services, actually, life-saving services, that they need to escape.”
Turning Point Macomb, a domestic violence shelter in Macomb County, has 70 staff members and 52 beds. Its annual budget is around $7 million, but funding this year could be in jeopardy.
Davenport added, “When those federal dollars are impacted, then it diminishes the services that can be provided for victims.”
Domestic violence shelters face a double threat: potential federal funding cuts and a possible state government shutdown.
“I’m very concerned because these cuts could potentially impact our core services, meaning we will have fewer beds for our shelter,” Davenport said. “So we will be turning more people away.”
About 100 victim service organizations across the state are in the same situation.
Christine Kinal of HAVEN in Oakland County said, “We’ve already had funding cuts. We’ve had to freeze four positions.”
HAVEN provides 30,000 individual services every year, from personal protection orders to shelter and counseling.
“We’re expecting 30 to 40% budget cuts,” Kinal said. “That means is we’re 50% funded through grants, so potentially up to half of that grant funding could be cut.”
The deadline for the state budget is Oct. 1. With the House and Senate at a stalemate, nonprofits worry about protecting those most at risk.
Kinal warned, “I would be fearful that more homicides would occur, and more violence would occur, and then we’d have our hands tied because we wouldn’t have the staffing that we need to really make that impact.”
Nonprofits are urging people to contact their senators and state representatives. The clock is ticking to pass a budget. Without it, a government shutdown could happen in two weeks.