homelessness

City densification, affordable housing, commercial development, sustainable energy — Ann Arbor is contending with a number of important issues that are keeping city officials very busy. WEMU’s Caroline MacGregor talked with Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor about the city’s goals moving forward.

Affordable housing continues to be a significant problem in Washtenaw County, particularly in Ann Arbor. The good news is, more units will come online this year and next, and work continues to increase inventory throughout the area. Aaron Cooper, the executive director of the nonprofit Avalon Housing, is working at the fore of these efforts. He joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the successes and the challenges that remain.

More affordable housing is coming to Ann Arbor after the City Council Monday night approved a new Avalon Housing project on South Maple Rd. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Housing first and a service network--that is the message of the documentary “Beyond the Bridge: A Solution to Homelessness,” shown Tuesday night at The Michigan Theater. As WEMU's Kevin Meerschaert reports, the film was followed by a panel discussion of what needs to be done locally.

It’s estimated there are about 3,000 homeless in Washtenaw County in any given year. Looking for ways to reduce the number is the subject of documentary and panel discussion Tuesday night at The Michigan Theater. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Finding affordable housing can be difficult enough, particularly if you are coming out of a period of being unhoused. Then, there is the costly process of furnishings to make it livable. That's where the Ann Arbor-based "House N2 Home" organization comes in. They take a newly acquired living space, or house, and help turn it into a truly personalized home. WEMU's David Fair spoke with House N2 Home co-founder and co-director Ruth Ann Logue to get a better picture of the work and the impact it makes.

With daytime high temperatures in the 20’s, all too many residents are seeking a way to get out of the cold and find some basic necessities. WEMU’s John Stockwell made time to visit the daytime warming shelter at the Ypsilanti Freighthouse in Depot Town.

The Ypsilanti City Council tonight is expected to vote on a resolution requesting Washtenaw County allocate funds toward a permanent homeless shelter. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The start of 2025 is being “Built for Zero.” A 100-day local challenge to end homelessness among veterans will conclude at the end of January. The goal is to transform systems to reach a functional end to veteran homelessness. We look at how that transformation is being put together and implemented in the effort to get the homeless veterans’ numbers down to zero. WEMU’s David Fair checked in with Washtenaw Housing Alliance executive director Amanda Carlisle to find out how much progress is being made.

As the year draws to a close for residents here in Washtenaw County, Chair of the Board of Commissioners Justin Hodge reflects on what changes 2024 brought to the county. WEMU’s Ana Longoria reports.