By Aaron Cooper, Executive Director, Avalon Housing
All across Michigan, many of our most vulnerable neighbors are struggling to keep a roof over their heads.
This year, the Michigan State Housing Development Authority estimated that the state is short nearly 200,000 housing units—a lack of supply that has led to higher and higher prices. Inflation hit a four-decade high in 2022, further straining household budgets. Meanwhile, with the ending of pandemic-related rental assistance and eviction moratoriums, we have seen an unfortunate increase in the number of people experiencing homelessness.
In Washtenaw County, I’m proud to say we’ve made progress toward limiting that trend, thanks to a nationally recognized supportive housing model and strong backing from the community. Voters can help us continue this momentum at the ballot box this November.
In 2017, Washtenaw County residents overwhelmingly voted for an eight-year millage generating funds for mental health and public safety improvements. The Community Mental Health and Public Safety Preservation Millage provides approximately $5 to $7 million per year to fund various programs at Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (CMH) and community organizations that provide mental health and substance use treatment. Recognizing the importance of supportive housing to mental health, the millage advisory committee directed funding to several organizations that respond to homelessness, including Avalon Housing.
That funding allows us at Avalon to do what we do best: make sure people have the supportive services they need to stay in their homes. Avalon residents are eligible to receive a wide variety of one-on-one supports to address behaviors and issues that may lead to an eviction. This includes case management, 24/7 crisis call response, primary medical care, medication management, peer support and much more.
The millage allowed us to grow and expand these crucial offerings. For example, the millage funded the work of three team leaders and 14 adult and family support coordinators. That allowed us to provide 634 more individuals with support services than we would have been able to without the millage.
For example, Avalon case managers helped a tenant with hoarding disorder clean out her apartment, so that she’s no longer in danger of being evicted. Another tenant needed support in accessing mental health care, and is now receiving effective treatment and working toward financial independence with the goal of moving out of supportive housing.
With greater stability provided by supportive housing, people can stay in their homes and reach their full potential. The method works: 95 percent of the people we work with over the past year stayed in their homes, which is far higher than the national average retention rate.
The impact of the millage extends far beyond the supportive housing services provided by Avalon. CMH has seen a 147 percent increase in the number of adults served since the original approval of the millage. The number of young people served by CHM has increased by 104 percent. CMH’s access line has seen an 89 percent increase in calls, providing more assistance for those in crisis. By collaborating with local non-profit service providers like Avalon, the vast majority of these millage dollars directly benefit the community—less than 10 percent of funds are allocated to administrative costs.
As Washtenaw County residents head to the polls on Nov. 5, they’ll have the chance to renew this millage that has been so important to our community. In fact, they’ll have the opportunity to expand funding for community services without increasing the cost of the millage, as a new provision will ensure that at least 50 percent of funding that goes toward public safety be used on people-facing programs that support mental health and behavioral health services.
The millage has made a significant impact for thousands of our neighbors. It’s helped us tackle the homelessness crisis and kept vulnerable people in their homes. It’s provided much needed mental health support for those who need it most. It’s also a great model for other communities across the state to duplicate.
This November, a path toward ending homelessness will be on the ballot in Washtenaw County. We hope that the community will once again step up and help our neighbors get the shelter and care everyone deserves help us in our fight for housing justice.