YPSILANTI, Mich. – Patricia Tabb, a long-time resident of Ypsilanti, is concerned about her future in the city due to rising housing costs.
“It’s definitely a problem, and it needs to be solved immediately because I don’t want to move,” she said.
For some, the price has already proven to be too much.
“You can look around and see the homeless population,” stated Ypsilanti resident Karen Hayno-Steele.
Housing advocates assert that housing insecurity is a national issue.
“Washtenaw County is no exception. Since COVID, we have seen a spike in homelessness, especially family homelessness,” said Avalon Housing Mission Advancement Director Scott Ellis.
Avalon Housing has been actively working to address the growing crisis.
“What we know is the private market is not developing affordable housing for folks, especially at the lowest income levels. That’s where the nonprofits and the housing commissions step in to fill that void,” he explained.
The nonprofit designs properties to help eradicate homelessness in Washtenaw County.
“When we say affordable housing, we’re talking about less than 60% of the area median income. The majority of our tenants are at or below 30% of the area median income,” Ellis elaborated.
Avalon currently owns 29 properties.
One of the projects in progress is bringing 22 units of affordable housing to Washington Street in Ypsilanti.
Though housing is the goal, putting people in homes is just half the battle, Ellis warns.
“Here at Avalon, it’s 95% certain that they are going to stay housed because we put wraparound services around them to navigate healthcare, grocery shopping, and all the things that you need to stay in your housing,” he explained.
Ypsilanti City Manager Andrew Hellenga said affordable housing is one of his top priorities.
“We really want to make the city welcoming for everyone, but it does come with challenges,” he noted.
In addition to the Avalon project, two parallel housing developments are under construction on Clark Road that will bring several hundred affordable apartments for seniors and families.
And near Depot Town, Dorsey Estates will make dreams of homeownership a reality for families of lower incomes.
“This is our first model right now of affordable homeownership, but we are looking to duplicate it in other cities across the state,” Renovare Development Managing Partner Shannon Morgan said.
She said half of the units will be set aside for incomes between 40 and 80% of the area median income, and there will also be units for middle-income people.
To help potential buyers on the road to homeownership, the developer plans to direct them to resources.
“We are going to work with all different lenders, credit repair agencies, and homeownership counselors in advance of people purchasing,” Morgan said.
The first units at Dorsey Estates will be available late summer or early fall, Morgan said.
Getting the Dorsey project off the ground hasn’t been easy.
“It is very difficult, but once again the key is to have ready, willing stakeholders at the table and people in the community who want to get the job done. It takes creative financing,” Morgan said.
With several affordable housing projects in the works, it’s evident that Ypsilanti is headed in the right direction. But, as Hellenga stated, there are challenges.
Affordable housing comes at a price.
Tax breaks are often used to spur development.
“It is very difficult because payment in lieu of taxes, we are essentially forgoing tax revenue to provide housing. So, it really makes it more difficult to provide services especially with a stretched thin budget,” Hellenga said.
Ypsilanti can’t tackle this issue of affordable housing alone, he warns.
“A municipality can’t take it all on itself. So, we have to make sure everyone is at the table,” Hellenga emphasized.