Catherine Jun / The Detroit News 
Detroit–City officials this week authorized $150,000 in federal funds to run a nighttime warming center. On Wednesday night, the doors opened at a building on Medbury Street near East Grand, bedding at least 50 people, said Sandra Bomar Parker, chief executive of Operation Get Down. The nonprofit agency, a substance-abuse counseling center by day, will run the center.
Faced with budget constraints, the city had not allocated any money for a warming center this season — the first time in well over a decade. In recent weeks, council members urged Mayor Dave Bing to release emergency funding, citing a longstanding city ordinance that says Detroit must run a warming center between the hours of 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.
In the suburbs, most warming centers had opened soon after Thanksgiving.
“We certainly want to make sure that all who need shelter have access to a warming center, and it is the law,” said Councilwoman JoAnn Watson, who along with Councilman Kwame Kenyatta pushed for funding for the center.
“It was good we kept with it and forced their hands,” said Clark Washington of the homeless advocacy group Detroit Action Commonwealth.
The warming center, at 6821 Medbury St., can accommodate as many as 500 people.
Those staying the night are provided a mat, bedding and a hot meal.
