City Council approves 20-unit low income housing project with Avalon Housing support

A significant discussion at the Ann Arbor City Council meeting on August 7, 2008, centered around the development of affordable housing, specifically a new project by Avalon Housing. Council members expressed pride in the initiative, which aims to replace 100 units of very low-income housing that were previously lost. The project will introduce 20 new units, with a focus on providing stable housing for individuals, including those who are chronically homeless.

Council member Mary Jo Callan highlighted the importance of long-term housing stability, emphasizing that residents should not face the anxiety of being uprooted frequently. She noted that the project has garnered support from various funding sources, including $845,000 from the city’s HOME funds, $500,000 from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority, and additional contributions from the Federal Home Loan Bank and Avalon Housing itself.

Michael Apple, the director of Avalon Housing, was present to address questions about the project. He confirmed that six of the new units are specifically designated for chronically homeless individuals, aligning with the city’s recent budget allocation of $250,000 for supportive housing services. However, the exact allocation of these funds for the new units is still under discussion.

The council also discussed the process for funding applications, which has evolved to include a more structured approach involving public input and a ranking system for proposals. This change aims to ensure a more organized and transparent allocation of resources.

In addition to the housing project, the council approved several other resolutions, including HVAC improvements for the water treatment plant and amendments to professional services agreements for ongoing city projects. The meeting concluded with unanimous support for all discussed resolutions, marking a productive session focused on enhancing community welfare through strategic housing initiatives and infrastructure improvements.