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Service providers ask council to renew and fully fund Rising Hope for Housing pilot
Summary
Service providers and partner agencies asked Ann Arbor City Council to continue funding the Rising Hope for Housing program for a third year, highlighting direct assistance, voucher retention and eviction prevention figures.
Several agencies and program partners urged the Ann Arbor City Council on May 5 to fully fund the Rising Hope for Housing program for a third year, citing the program’s role in helping justice‑impacted households retain Housing Choice Vouchers and avoid eviction.
Representatives from partner organizations described the program as a coordination of the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, A Brighter Way, Catholic Charities, Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, SOS Community Services and Washtenaw Housing Alliance. They reported that the program has provided direct financial assistance and case management that helped households secure and maintain housing.
Why it matters: Rising Hope assists voucher holders who face barriers from criminal records, unpaid arrears or administrative hurdles; program partners said it reduces reentry‑related homelessness and supports housing stability.
What speakers said - Jesse Averill (Washtenaw Housing Alliance) and a later restart of remarks described Rising Hope partnerships and asked council to provide full funding for a third year. - Speakers reported the pilot had distributed over $235,000 in direct assistance and assisted 171 households with voucher retention, housing placement, arrears and utility payments (figures provided by program presenters during public comment). - Elizabeth Fink (SOS Community Services), Ashley Hatfield (Catholic Charities) and John Walker (A Brighter Way) offered examples where case management and limited financial assistance prevented eviction, resolved landlord lease issues, and improved housing outcomes for justice‑impacted participants.
Council action: the matter was presented during the budget public hearing; no vote on funding was taken at the meeting. Speakers requested that council fully fund Rising Hope for Housing in the FY2026 budget.
