Washtenaw Housing Alliance

08/31/2026

OUT NOW (Better Late Than Never!): WHA's August 2026 Newsletter
➡️ Hellos & Goodbyes
➡️ Winter Shelter Resources
➡️ HUD Funding Updates
➡️ Save the Dates & more!

📖 Read up on what's happening here ⬇️
https://mailchi.mp/a42a0942ef05/august-2026-newsletter

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08/26/2026

08/13/2026

Thank you to Ann Arbor residents Aaron, Monty, and Martez for sharing about themselves and their experiences in affordable housing. We're grateful to have you as neighbors 🏡🤝🏡

In Martez's words, when getting to know our neighbors, "don’t be afraid to just say hi, because we never know how that human connection may give spark to someone who really needs the motivation."

Affordable housing residents are a diverse bunch who defy the stereotypes often assigned to them.

- Read the full Concentrate story bit.ly/4qiHCTZ

08/13/2026

Ann Arbor Housing Commission's next affordable housing development to break ground soon!

The development at 350 S. Fifth Avenue is expected to bring about 330 new affordable 1- and 2-bedroom apartments to downtown Ann Arbor. Rents are expected to be set at levels affordable for people earning up to 80% of the area median income. The ground-floor will be commercial space that could be a grocery store.

About $4 million from the city’s affordable housing millage fund was approved last December to go toward the project.

More on the planning of this development over the years is available on the Housing Commission's website: a2gov.org/housing-commission/development-of-city-owned-properties-as-affordable-housing/350-s-fifth-ave

The project essentially has been in the making for about 23 years.

08/07/2026

Hours ago, a Rhode Island District Court judge ruled, for the third time, that the Trump administration’s ideologically driven funding changes to vital homelessness programs are unlawful. The most recent changes would have forced nearly 100,000 people back into homelessness.

08/07/2026

For more than 35 years the National Low Income Housing Coalition has released its Out of Reach report to call attention to the disparity between wages and the cost of rental housing in the U.S. Every year, including for 2026, the report has shown that affordable rental homes are out of reach for millions of low-wage workers, seniors, families, and other renters.

🔗 Read NLIHC's latest report breaking down the data for Michigan (and even our local metropolitan area) here ⬇

is now available! Check it out for the latest information on rents and wages across the country. people who work full time in professions we rely on, like home health aides, don’t earn enough to afford rent? Read more http://nlihc.org/oor

08/07/2026

DUE TODAY: To ensure the new Bridge Card is delivered to the correct address, recipients should visit MI Bridges (newmibridges.michigan.gov) or call 1-844-464-3447 to make sure their mailing address is up to date.

If new cards are not received by Friday, September 25, please visit MI Bridges or call 1-888-678-8914 to verify the mailing address.

📢 Michigan Bridge Card Holders: Important changes are coming!

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is issuing new Bridge Cards with enhanced security features, including chip and tap-to-pay technology to help reduce fraud and protect your benefits.

✅ Update your mailing address by August 7 to make sure you receive your new card.
✅ Once your new card arrives, activate it right away. Activating the new card will deactivate your current one. If you don't activate it, your existing card will be deactivated after 60 days.

Need help? Contact MDHHS or your local MDHHS office for assistance with updating your address or activating your new card.

Please share this post so friends and neighbors who use a Bridge Card don't miss these important updates.

08/03/2026

Detroit is doing some incredible work to despite the challenges they, and communities across the country, are facing with federal disinvestment in homelessness and housing resources.

Their $9.2 million "Homeless to Housed" initiative will transition 140 families (500 individuals) PER YEAR out of emergency shelters and into permanent housing.

07/29/2026

Education and advocacy are two of WHA’s strategic priorities. We affirm that the work of WHA includes changing institutional policies and practices, supporting people with lived experience of homelessness to advocate with their own voice, training professionals, educating funders, and raising hell when necessary.

In our latest newsletter we spotlight this work and recognize the success of the City of Ann Arbor's Affordable Housing Millage over its first five years. Read up at tinyurl.com/spotlighteduadv

📅 If you are someone who is either already engaged in our community's work to end homelessness or wants to get more involved, please **save the date** for WHA’s fifth annual State of Homelessness and Affordable Housing convening on Friday, November 20th. More event details, including ways to become an event sponsor, are now available at whalliance.org/state-of-homelessness-event

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07/02/2026

Thank you to the Ann Arbor Observer for featuring WHA's Shared Housing Program in it's latest issue (its 50th Anniversary issue!) Take a look on page 13 to read how our program is matching older homeowners and home seekers, creating connection, easing housing costs, and helping people stay in their communities longer.

Shared housing isn’t just a creative solution to a tough housing market, it’s also about building real relationships and community.

Don't receive the Observer in your mailbox? You can pick up a copy at local spots like the Ann Arbor District Library or read the article online (link in comments).

Washtenaw Housing Alliance revives a shared-living program that connects seniors with home seekers.