Washtenaw Housing Alliance

06/05/2026

ACTION ALERT‼️ The comment period to oppose HUD’s proposal to rescind the Equal Access Rule, which guarantees equal access to programs and services funded by HUD regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or marital status, closes Monday, June 29 at 11:59 pm EST. Comments are submitted via regulations.gov for rule change FR-6518-P-01 here: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/HUD-2026-0529-0001

Learn more about the harms of rescinding the EAR and how you can using Advocates for Trans Equality comment template here: https://transequality.org/earcomment

Amid federal funding and program cuts and shifts, and efforts to criminalize homelessness, we must all advocate against policy and funding shifts that are harmful to those experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.

05/29/2026

‼Help us spread the word‼ WHA is still accepting applications for our Housing Navigator position! 🏘️🏠🏡

This full-time position is part of WHA’s landlord outreach and engagement team and will work on expanding housing opportunities for housing program participants in Washtenaw County. Lived experience of homelessness, housing instability, and/or justice-involvement valued as part of an applicant’s expertise alongside professional credentials.

🔗 For more info on the job posting, including how to apply, visit our website at whalliance.org/wha-staff-interns

Position is open until filled. Interviews will begin in early June 2026.

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05/29/2026

WHA recognizes that our mission to end homelessness in Washtenaw County must take multiple strategies and partnerships, including outreach and engagement with local landlords and property managers with affordable housing options.

In our latest newsletter we spotlight this work as well as share about new opportunities to help both landlords and case managers connect those exiting homelessness to real-time housing availability. Read up at tinyurl.com/spotlightlandlordoutreach

🤝 If you are a landlord or property manager who is curious about what we do and want to get involved, we would love to connect! Please reach out to our Community Housing Locator at [email protected].

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05/28/2026

Earlier this month, WHA's Shared Housing Program Coordinator had the privilege of co-presenting at the Building Michigan Communities Conference in Lansing, Michigan's largest annual gathering of affordable housing professionals, with over 1,200 attendees from across the state.

WHA's Coordinator, Danielle, was joined by Janet Hunko, Executive Director of Housing Bureau for Seniors, and Lana Payne, Director of Grand Traverse County Commission on Aging, who joined the presentation by video from Traverse City. Together they talked about how WHA's Shared Housing Program was built, what we have learned from our first matches, and how communities across Michigan can replicate this model.

The fact that Grand Traverse County is already exploring shared housing tells you something. This is not an issue unique to Ann Arbor. Communities all over Michigan are sitting on empty bedrooms while people struggle to find affordable places to live and many older adults spend too much time alone.

What we are building in Washtenaw County can be a template. The model does not require building anything new. It requires coordination, a solid matching process, and community trust.

If you are a housing professional, policymaker, or organization curious about what replication could look like in your community, WHA would love to connect!

And if you are in Washtenaw County and have a spare bedroom or need an affordable place to live, start here: whalliance.org/sharedhousing

Community Health Services of U-M Health

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05/25/2026

ICYMI: Many thanks to the The City Of Ann Arbor City Council and Mayor Taylor for supporting increased funding for the Rising Hope for Housing Program in the FY27 City budget. This program was envisioned by Councilmember Cynthia Harrison and helps households, who have been impacted by the justice system, increase housing stability and self-sufficiency.

Learn more about Rising Hope for Housing Program on Washtenaw Housing Alliance's webpage here: https://www.whalliance.org/rising-hope-for-housing

Read more: https://www.wemu.org/wemu-news/2026-05-20/ann-arbor-city-council-adds-new-firefighters-rising-hope-for-housing-funding-to-budget

When the Ann Arbor City Council approved its Fiscal Year 2027 budget, it added funding for public safety and addiction treatment. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

05/14/2026

OUT NOW: WHA's May 2026 Newsletter
➡️ WHA Is Hiring a Housing Navigator
➡️ Advocacy Day in Lansing
➡️ WHA Speaking Around Town
➡️ Calls to Action
➡️ Save the Dates & more!

📖 Read up on what's happening here ⬇️
https://mailchi.mp/718c858f5c64/may-2026-newsletter

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05/14/2026

WHA is hiring a Housing Navigator! 🏘️🏠🏡

This full-time position is part of WHA’s landlord outreach and engagement team and will work on expanding housing opportunities for housing program participants in Washtenaw County. Lived experience of homelessness, housing instability, and/or justice-involvement valued as part of an applicant’s expertise alongside professional credentials.

🔗 For more info on the job posting, including how to apply, visit our website at whalliance.org/wha-staff-interns

Position is open until filled; early submission is encouraged. Interviews will begin in late May/early June 2026.

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05/12/2026

Advocates for ending homelessness and expanding affordable housing should be paying attention to the upcoming FY2027 federal budget negotiations - and taking action to contact Congress. The President's budget proposal for FY2027 (Oct 1, 2026 to Sept 30, 2027) drastically cuts funding for homelessness and housing programs.

and by visiting the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) FY2027 appropriations advocacy activation toolkit here ⬇️

The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization committed to preventing and ending homelessness in the United States.

04/30/2026

OUT NOW: WHA's April 2026 Newsletter
➡️ Upcoming "The Road Home" Screenings (5/7 and 5/28)
➡️ Practicing Trauma-Informed Care
➡️ State of Homelessness Presentation to MI Senate Committee
➡️ Advocacy Action Alert (DUE Friday 5/1 at 11:59PM)
➡️ Save the Dates & more!

📖 Read up on what's happening here ⬇️
https://mailchi.mp/ce93eb6ce26b/april-2026-newsletter

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04/29/2026

ACTION ALERT‼️ The comment period to oppose HUD’s work requirements and time limits proposed rule closes THIS Friday (May 1) at 11:59 pm EST. Comments are submitted via regulations.gov for rule change FR-6520-P-01 here: https://www.regulations.gov/commenton/HUD-2026-0298-0001

Learn more about the harms of time limits and work requirements and how you can using National Low Income Housing Coalition template here: https://nlihc.org/resource/proposed-hud-rules-would-jeopardize-housing-assistance-30-day-notice-proposal-comments-due

Organizations can join NLIHC’s sign-on letter by Thursday, April 30 at 11:59 pm EST here: https://nlihc.quorum.us/campaign/161309

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