The world is changing, sometimes faster than we ever imagined. And yet, amidst that rapid change, some truths remain constant. The need for housing is one of them. No matter who we are or where we come from, the importance of home is something we all know, a source of grounding, dignity, and connection.

At the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF), we commissioned this Housing Study, co-funded by the Herrick Foundation and the Song Foundation, because housing is foundational to the wellbeing of every resident in Washtenaw County. We know that when people have access to quality, affordable housing, they have a stronger chance to build stable lives, pursue opportunity, and contribute to a thriving community.

This work is rooted in our AAACF core values. Pursuing Equity compels us to ensure that housing solutions are inclusive and just. Earning Trust calls us to be transparent and community-centered in our efforts. Leveraging Knowledge pushes us to base our actions on data and lived experience. And Embracing Collaboration reminds us that no single entity can address this challenge alone. The data expertly provided by Elizabeth Martin, Asociate Broker and Realtor®, Howard Hanna Ann Arbor was key to the report.

Everyone has an important role: advocates, developers, realtors, funders, architects, planners, policy makers, community members, and community leaders. It will take all of us, working together, informed by facts and inspired by compassion, to make lasting change. Our shared efforts can ensure that affordability and quality are not trade-offs, but part of a broader vision where housing is interwoven with vitality, stability, and belonging.

We offer this study as a tool, and an invitation. Together, we can shape a Washtenaw County where housing is not a privilege, but a promise we keep to one another.

With appreciation,

Dr. Shannon Polk, President and CEO

Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation