Proposed federal budget cuts are threatening some services hundreds of Washtenaw County residents depend on.
Right now, there is a plan to eliminate funding for the community development block grant, which would mean a nearly 18% cut for Ypsilanti's Meals on Wheels service. Executive director Alison Foreman says they're already getting calls from some of the 200 clients they serve each day.
"Our clients just would like the administration to know they rely on these meals. This is their main support. It helps keep them healthy. It helps keep them independent in their home. It helps keep them out of the hospital, And, you know, just significantly, it helps reduce costs to the health care system."
There are an additional 200 clients in Ann Arbor that could also be impacted by cuts proposed by the new presidential administration. Foreman says they have a small reserve right now, but any additional budget cuts would have a more serious impact on services.
Non-commercial, fact based reporting is made possible by your financial support. Make your donation to WEMU today to keep your community NPR station thriving.
— Lisa Barry is a reporter, and host of All Things Considered on 89.1 WEMU. Contact her at 734.487.3363, on twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her lbarryma@emich.edu