In the Spotlight: Ann Arbor Housing Commission

/ Hinton Real Estate Group & Home Loans/

 For our “In the Spotlight” series, we’re shining a light on community resources around the Ypsilanti area, sharing how to best share support with our friends and neighbors. This month’s highlight: Ann Arbor Housing Commission.

We connected with Weneshia Brand, Deputy Director of the Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC), to discuss how the nonprofit is supporting our community through Section 8 Housing Programs and ways to seek and support these services.

What should we know about the Ann Arbor Housing Commission and who do you serve? 

The Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC) is a nonprofit public housing authority that provides and advocates for affordable housing to low-income individuals, families, the homeless, and veterans. It serves these specific groups through programs like the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and direct property management. A key focus is providing safe, stable, and affordable housing and advocating for policies that challenge inequity.


Can you tell us more about the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Homeownership Program?

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Homeownership program program uses Housing Choice Vouchers to help eligible participants purchase a home within Washtenaw and Monroe Counties and pay monthly ownership expenses. The program allows current AAHC HCV participants to use their vouchers to help purchase a home instead of renting. To qualify, applicants must be an existing AAHC Housing Choice Voucher participant, meet specific income and employment requirements (with exceptions for the elderly and disabled), be a first-time homebuyer or not have owned a home in the last three years, and complete the required housing counseling program. 


How can someone seeking these services get in touch?

Contact the AAHC to determine if you meet the criteria and to learn about the application process. If you are an existing participant, you can apply through the AAHC. Some local areas also have a homeownership program, so it is important to check with the local public housing agency. 


How can folks wanting to provide support get involved?

Since the AAHC does not directly accept volunteers for this specific program, you can get involved by making a donation or assisting a partner organization. AAHC accepts financial donations that support families participating in their housing programs. Visit the "Housing Commission" page on the City of Ann Arbor website or directly at Zeffy Webpage.

These donations are used for supportive services that are essential for low-income households on the path to homeownership, including: 

Resources for:

  • Youth and educational programs: Summer, after-school programs for children.

  • Community-building initiatives: Programs such as community gardens and art projects.

  • Food programs.

  • Job and health programs.

Donations for: 

  • Security deposits

  • Eviction prevention

  • Budget and money management

  • Credit repair

  • Down payment assistance

  • Home repair and weatherization services

Partnering with us:

  • Volunteer with a partner agency such as Habitat for Humanity.

  • Lenders and realtors can directly assist participants in the HCV Homeownership program.

  • Becoming a landlord in the HCV program helps expand housing options for families working toward purchasing a home. 

  • Advocating for policies that support affordable housing and homeownership can create a more supportive environment for AAHC's efforts.

What else should we know that we haven’t discussed?

Housing costs are expected to remain high in Ann Arbor in 2025, emphasizing the need for robust programs to help low to moderate-income families. The Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program, administered by the AAHC, is a vital tool for HCV participants seeking to build wealth. The program components include escrow savings account, strategic partnerships, and goal-oriented support services. FSS is focused on helping families achieve goals like increasing earnings, paying off debt, further education, or purchasing a home.


Contact the Ann Arbor Housing Commission:

Website: www.a2gov.org/housing-commission
Email: housingcommission@a2gov.org
Phone: (734) 794​-6720

We’d like to share a very special thank you to Weneshia for sharing with us!

Find additional information at www.a2gov.org/housing-commission.

View the latest spotlights and more of what Ypsilanti has to offer at LiveNypsi.com.