Ann Arbor's shift from public housing to a voucher based program is being helped by changes in federal policies. Washtenaw County is receiving about $2.6 million in US Housing and Urban Development Grants.
Ann Arbor Housing Commission Executive Director Jennifer Hall says this is roughly the same amount of funding as in the past but is now more targeted towards housing with services and less towards emergency shelters. Hall says Avalon Housing and other partner organizations will provide many services crucial to keeping people in housing. This includes crisis management, working with people on financial literacy, and helping address lease violations.
Hall says shelters may face some challenges with daily operations but should see shorter stays as people can get into permanent housing more quickly.
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— Andrew Cluley is the Ann Arbor beat reporter, and anchor for 89.1 WEMU News. Contact him at 734.487.3363 or email him acluley@emich.edu.