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Housing commission warns proposed HUD changes could cut programs; local eviction‑prevention funds largely used
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Summary
Ann Arbor Housing Commission staff said the president's HUD proposal would eliminate key programs (HOME, Continuum of Care) and could place many households at risk; the commission reported it spent about $296,000 on eviction‑prevention in FY26 with a $3,000 cap per household and nearly all approved applicants receiving full assistance.
Jennifer Hall, executive director of the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, briefed council on agency programs and potential federal changes. Hall said the President’s proposed HUD budget would eliminate HOME and Continuum of Care funding and institute new program rules such as a 5‑year limit and a work requirement for most adults — proposals that, if enacted as written, could reduce local supportive housing funding and affect households now served.
Hall reported that HUD’s proposals are not final appropriations and must go through Congress, but she warned of significant local impacts if reductions and rule changes are enacted. The commission is monitoring ongoing litigation and countywide coordination; the county has approved short‑term funding ($432,000 noted for current grant renewals) to cover paused renewals while legal matters proceed.
Jennifer Hall introduced Wanisha Brand, deputy director, who provided eviction‑prevention program metrics: the FY26 eviction‑prevention program received about $296,000 in funding, about 98% of those funds were spent on direct assistance, the program limited assistance to $3,000 per household, received 228 applications and approved 204; roughly 98% of approved applicants had their full past‑due balances covered by the program. Brand said many participating households include children and households headed by Black females; she noted that approximately 36% of the agency’s households could be impacted by a proposed five‑year limit depending on individual household ages and disability status.
Councilors asked clarifying questions about voucher types, exemptions for non‑elderly disabled (NED) vouchers, and whether applicants with balances above $3,000 could be assisted through combinations of promises to pay or other agency contributions; Brand said staff communicated with landlords and partner agencies and sometimes processed payments on the basis of a promise to pay or coordinated matching funds.
Hall also highlighted millage‑funded affordable housing projects in development and an upcoming large project (350 South Fifth) that the commission expects to close in June or July.
