How to Find Low-Income Housing in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Finding low-income housing in Ann Arbor usually means working with public housing programs, Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8), or income-restricted affordable apartments, and often all three at once.

Ann Arbor has a mix of city-run housing, county programs, and nonprofit providers, but the main official players are the Ann Arbor Housing Commission (the local housing authority) and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA), along with Washtenaw County’s coordinated housing entry system.

Quick summary: where to start for Ann Arbor low‑income housing

• Main local agency: Ann Arbor Housing Commission (city housing authority)
• State-level help: Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) for some vouchers and tax-credit properties
• First concrete step today:Call or visit the Ann Arbor Housing Commission to ask about current public housing, voucher, and waitlist options
• Expect next: Screening questions about your income, household size, and current housing situation, and directions to apply or join waitlists
• Backup path: Contact Washtenaw County’s housing access / coordinated entry line for emergency or rapid rehousing referrals
• Documents to prepare:Photo ID, Social Security numbers, proof of income, and current lease or homelessness documentation

Rules, waitlists, and eligibility can change, so always confirm details directly with the official offices.

Who actually handles low-income housing in Ann Arbor

The main official system touchpoints for low-income housing in Ann Arbor are:

• Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC) – This is the local housing authority for the City of Ann Arbor. It typically manages:

  • Public housing units (AAHC-owned apartments with income-based rent)
  • Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8) when the waitlist is open
  • Some project-based vouchers tied to specific buildings

• Michigan State Housing Development Authority (MSHDA) – This state housing agency typically:

  • Manages Housing Choice Voucher programs in parts of Michigan
  • Oversees many Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties (privately owned, income-restricted apartments)
  • Funds rental assistance and supportive housing programs across the state

In addition, Washtenaw County’s coordinated entry / housing access line is the official point for people who are homeless or at immediate risk of homelessness; they screen and refer to local shelters, rapid rehousing, and sometimes short-term rental help.

To avoid scams, look for websites and emails ending in .gov for AAHC and MSHDA, and only use phone numbers listed on those official government or recognized county/nonprofit sites.

Key terms to know

Key terms to know:

• Public Housing — Apartments owned or managed by a housing authority where rent is usually 30% of your adjusted income.
• Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) — A voucher that helps pay rent at a private apartment; you pay a portion, and the voucher covers the rest up to local limits.
• Project-Based Voucher / LIHTC Unit — Assistance or income limits tied to a specific property; you have to live in that building to get the benefit.
• Coordinated Entry — Centralized intake system used by a county to screen for homelessness services and refer you to the right program.

Documents you’ll typically need

Documents you’ll typically need:

• Government-issued photo ID (Michigan driver’s license, state ID, or other official ID) for adults in the household
• Proof of income for everyone in the household who earns money (recent pay stubs, benefit award letters like SSI/SSD, unemployment statements)
• Social Security cards or numbers for each household member, plus current lease, eviction notice, or shelter verification if you’re homeless or facing eviction

Some programs in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County may also ask for birth certificates, bank statements, and proof of student status if someone in the household is a full-time student.

If you’re missing a document, ask the housing worker what alternative proof they will accept (for example, a benefit award letter instead of a Social Security card, or a letter from an employer instead of formal pay stubs).

Step-by-step: how to get into low-income housing programs in Ann Arbor

1. Contact the Ann Arbor Housing Commission

Your most direct concrete step today is to contact the Ann Arbor Housing Commission (AAHC).

• What to do today:

  • Call the main AAHC office or visit in person during business hours.
  • Say something like: “I live in Ann Arbor and I’m looking for low-income housing or Section 8. Can you tell me what programs are open and how to get on the waitlist?”

• What to expect next:
  Staff will typically:

  • Check whether public housing or vouchers waitlists are open
  • Tell you if applications are online, in person, or by mail
  • Explain basic eligibility (income limits, residency preferences, background checks)

If the AAHC voucher or public housing waitlists are closed, ask: “Can I sign up for notifications when waitlists open, and are there any project-based or partner properties I can apply to now?”

2. Identify affordable and tax-credit properties in Ann Arbor

Even when vouchers are closed, there are often income-restricted apartments in Ann Arbor that don’t require a voucher but still have lower rents.

• What to do:

  • Ask AAHC: “Do you have a list of affordable or tax-credit properties in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County?”
  • Search for listings of “Ann Arbor LIHTC” or “income-restricted apartments Ann Arbor” through MSHDA’s affordable housing search tool or similar state-sponsored directories.

• What to expect next:
  You’ll usually get:

  • A list or printout of specific apartment complexes with phone numbers and income limits
  • Instructions to apply directly at the property’s management office instead of through AAHC

At each property, management will give you their own rental application and will screen for income limits, background, and rental history. Waitlists are common, but some properties have rolling availability.

3. Apply to any open public housing or voucher waitlists

If AAHC or MSHDA has open lists that cover Ann Arbor:

1. Get the correct application channel

   • AAHC often uses online portals or paper applications available at the office.
   • MSHDA typically uses an online waiting list system for some voucher programs or properties.

2. Fill out the application carefully

   • Use full legal names and consistent Social Security numbers.
   • List all household members, income sources, and addresses truthfully.

3. Submit the application through the official method only

   • Online: Use the link provided by AAHC or MSHDA; check for a confirmation number.
   • In person / by mail: Hand it in at the office or mail it to the address on the form and keep a copy.

4. What to expect next:

   • A confirmation number or letter that you are on the waitlist (not approval for housing yet).
   • Later, when they reach your place on the list, you’ll receive a follow-up letter, phone call, or email asking for full documentation and possibly an in-person interview.
   • After full review, you may get:
     • A voucher briefing appointment (if you receive a Housing Choice Voucher), or
     • A unit offer for public housing or a specific project-based unit

No office can guarantee how long a waitlist will take; it can range from months to years depending on funding and turnover.

4. Use Washtenaw County’s coordinated entry if you’re homeless or near eviction

If you are sleeping outside, in a shelter, in your car, or have a recent eviction notice, use the county-level system in addition to housing authority routes.

• What to do:

  • Look up Washtenaw County’s official housing access or coordinated entry line, usually run by the county or a major local nonprofit.
  • Call and say: “I’m in Ann Arbor and I’m homeless / about to be homeless; I need an intake for housing assistance.”

• What to expect next:
  The screener will usually:

  • Ask where you slept last night and whether you have a legal eviction or 7-day/30-day notice
  • Collect basic demographics, income, disability, and household information
  • Place you on a prioritized list for interventions like:
    • Emergency shelter
    • Rapid rehousing (short-term rental assistance)
    • Permanent supportive housing (if you have disabilities and long-term homelessness)

This system is separate from traditional low-income rentals; it’s focused on homelessness response, but referrals can overlap with some subsidized housing options.

5. Prepare and organize your documents before they call you back

Once you’re on a waitlist or in a coordinated entry system, the next phase is verification. Being ready for this step can prevent delays.

• Action: Create a folder (paper or digital) with:

  • Photo IDs for all adults
  • Social Security cards or official documents with SSNs for everyone
  • Proof of all income: last 30–60 days of pay stubs, benefit letters (SSI, SSDI, TANF, unemployment), child support orders or statements
  • Current lease, eviction notice, or documentation from a shelter / outreach worker if you’re homeless
  • Any disability verification if you’re applying for housing that prioritizes disability

• What to expect next:
  When the housing authority or property manager reaches your spot on the list, they will give you a deadline (commonly 7–14 days) to submit full documentation. If you respond quickly with complete documents, your file can move to background checks, income calculations, and then a decision more smoothly.

If you can’t get a document by the deadline, call and ask whether an extension or temporary alternative documentation (like a written statement from an employer) is allowed.

Real-world friction to watch for

Real-world friction to watch for

A very common snag in Ann Arbor is that housing waitlist notices and appointment letters are sent by mail, and people miss them after moving or losing stable mail access. If your address changes or you lose housing, contact each agency and property immediately to update your mailing address, phone, and email; if you don’t respond to a notice by their stated deadline, you can be removed from the waitlist and forced to start over.

Legitimate help options in Ann Arbor

If you’re stuck, there are several legitimate, no-cost help sources you can contact in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County:

• Local legal aid office – Can sometimes help if you’re facing eviction, unsafe housing, or discrimination while trying to access public housing or vouchers.
• Nonprofit housing counseling agencies – Some organizations in the Ann Arbor area provide HUD-approved housing counseling, help you understand waitlists, and review your applications.
• Community action agency / human services office – Often administers Emergency Rental Assistance, utility help, or short-term subsidies that can stabilize you while you wait for long-term housing programs.
• University or hospital social work departments – If you’re connected to the University of Michigan or a local hospital, social workers can often assist with referrals and documentation.

When you call any of these:

• Briefly explain: “I’m in Ann Arbor, my income is low, and I’m trying to get into low-income housing. I’ve contacted the housing commission but need help understanding my options and applications.”

Because housing involves money and personal information, be careful of scams: no real housing authority or legitimate affordable housing provider in Ann Arbor will ask you to pay upfront “application guarantee” fees beyond standard application or background-check charges, nor will they promise you a voucher or unit in exchange for payment. Always confirm addresses and phone numbers through official .gov sites or well-known nonprofits, and never send documents through unofficial social media accounts or unknown email addresses.

Once you’ve contacted the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, checked for affordable properties, and either joined waitlists or entered coordinated entry if homeless, you are in the system and can start tracking your status and responding to any document or appointment requests as they come.