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.

In November of last year, Alyshia Dyer became the first woman to win election to the office of Washtenaw County Sheriff. She took over in January of this year and is now a few months into the first year of her first term. WEMU's David Fair talked with Sheriff Dyer about her career in law enforcement, the women that helped shape her life and career and her ambitions for breaking more glass ceilings and opening more doors for the young women to follow.

Washtenaw Community College President Rose Bellanca has been named as the United Way of Southeastern Michigan's "Power of the Purse Woman of the Year." She will be formally feted at a ceremony in April. As we mark Women's History Month, WEMU's David Fair talked with Dr. Bellanca about the challenges for women in higher education and how her story can pave the way for the workforce of the future.

The tax season has arrived, and there are a lot of people in the area that need some assistance in making sure they file accurately and on time. In fact, about 20% of those eligible don’t file taxes and miss out on the valuable credits they are entitled to. The United Way for Southeastern Michigan makes free tax assistance available to those in Washtenaw County earning $67,000 a year or less. WEMU's David Fair talks more about the program with the United Way’s Megan Thibos for this week's "Washtenaw United."

Mental health is not just an individual issue to deal with. It is a family and community issue. The National Alliance on Mental Illness has a Washtenaw County chapter. WEMU's David Fair talked with executive director, Judy Gardner, about its innovative efforts to support families in the quest for greater mental health throughout the community.

Since 1972, the Willis Patterson Our Own Thing Chorale has performed throughout the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti area. But it is not just a singing group. It is an educational institution aimed at serving the youth in the region and their families, and at the fore is the commitment to ensuring the African American concert spiritual remains a viable part of the community's artistic landscape. Donna Smith and LaVonte’ Heard from the Chorale joined WEMU's David Fair for this week’s "Washtenaw United."

In the last couple of years, the nation’s shelters and rescues have seen a decline in the number of dog adoptions. Our Washtenaw County community is no different. 2024 was a 10-year low in dog adoptions at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. President Tanya Hilgendorf joined WEMU's David Fair to discuss the problems with dog adoptions and what is being done locally.

There are times when help is desperately needed, and it feels like there is nowhere to turn. Providing that resource is the mission of the 2-1-1 program. Dial 2-1-1, and you can be connected to assistance for critical services like housing, food, utility assistance and more. This is a nationwide program, and, in our area, the help center is administered by the United Way for Southeastern Michigan. WEMU's David Fair was joined by 2-1-1 operations director Tasha Ball to learn more about the program and how it can serve as the connection needed to start the journey forward.

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.

Safe and affordable housing for older residents in Washtenaw County is a growing problem. Additionally, there are clear inequities among race and gender when it comes to elder housing. By 2028, there will more people in Washtenaw County 55 and older than there are under the age of 18. We’ll explore where we are and what programs are being implemented in anticipation of further senior housing issues. Yvonne Cudney from the Housing Bureau for Seniors at the U of M joined WEMU's David Fair for an update on this week’s "Washtenaw United."

Today is Inauguration Day. President-elect Donald Trump will officially be sworn into office, and immigration reform is at the top of his agenda. There are fears that could result in more profiling of foreign visitors and deportations of immigrants. Those fears are certainly a part of the dialogue among documented and undocumented immigrants in Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Christine Sauve from the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center about what comes next in our community.

When we talk about poverty in Washtenaw County, we often divide the county into east and west. Ann Arbor is the haves on the west side of US-23, and Ypsilanti is the have-nots on the east side of the county. But that is an oversimplification. There are people in poverty throughout the county, include further south along US-23 in the Milan area. The organization Aid in Milan is helping meet the needs of over 100 families a week with needs like housing, transportation, employment, childcare and cost of living. WEMU's David Fair talked with its executive director, Andrew Felder, about Aid in Milan’s work and the prospects for a better future.