AVALON HOUSING

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor is selling a piece of city-owned property to local nonprofit Avalon Housing, setting the stage for more affordable housing coming to Maple Road. City Council voted 10-0 last week to approve the $260,000 sale of the 1.15-acre site at 1146 S. Maple Road to Avalon, a major provider of affordable housing in Ann Arbor. Ann Arbor and Avalon officials gathered with community members last September to celebrate Hickory Way as the first development funded in part by the city’s new affordable housing tax. Given the challenges of developing affordable housing and securing financing, including low-income housing tax credits, options for two 90-day extensions are included in the agreement, he said. The city’s community services staff and the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development support the sale of the property to Avalon to expand the supply of affordable housing in the city, McDonald said.

Eight organizations were awarded sustainability grants by the City of Ann Arbor this summer.

A 50-unit affordable housing portion of sustainable housing development in Ann Arbor on Platt Road, The Grove at Veridian, has received $1.5 million in tax credits.

ANN ARBOR, MI - The Grove at Veridian, the 50-unit affordable component to a planned sustainability-focused housing development in Ann Arbor, got a $1.5-million boost in the form of state tax credits, and is slated to begin construction in 2023, according to a news release from nonprofit developer Avalon Housing. The 50 affordable apartments in nine two-story buildings are part of the Veridian development, a planned solar-powered neighborhood next to County Farm Park off Platt Road that has been years in the making.

Last week, two dozen nonprofits and service providers learned they wouldn’t benefit from money from the New Human Services Partnership, a collaboration between Washtenaw County, the City of Ann Arbor and Washtenaw Urban County. Recommendations Washtenaw County released last week would fund just seven of 31 eligible organizations that applied in the “safety net round,” asking for a combined more than $8 million in support. Avalon is currently listed in tier two of the funding recommendations, meaning it will only get money if officials secure additional funding. Anya Abramzon, Jewish Family Services of Washtenaw County executive director, said she appreciates the partnership with local government, as it plays a critical role in funding the safety net. But organizations, including those that weren’t recommended for funding, rely on each other.

ANN ARBOR, MI -- A solar-powered, sustainable community in Ann Arbor is celebrating Earth Day by opening up its first selection of homes for reservations. The Veridian at County Farm, a mixed-income housing development, will feature roughly 150 housing units, a farm stop grocery store, onsite renewable energy, regenerative agriculture and food grown onsite. The homes available for reservation include a mix of Village Homes, starting at $937,000; Park Homes, starting at $520,000; and Terrace Homes, starting at $788,000. Related: Solar-powered neighborhood development slated to break ground in Ann ArborVeridian is a partnership between Thrive Collaborative and Avalon Housing, a nonprofit affordable housing provider. Thrive units will span from $940,000 village-style homes to “micro units” available for both rent and purchase in the $200,000 range.

Here are our snaps from the unveiling of Avalon Housing's Hickory Way Apartments.

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor is celebrating its first affordable housing complex funded in part by a new city tax. Community members gathered Friday afternoon, Sept. 17, for a grand opening celebration for Hickory Way Apartments, built by nonprofit Avalon Housing at 1130 S. Maple Road. Morrison said he met a friend at the Delonis Center homeless shelter in Ann Arbor and they spent five summers and winters living in tents. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Two-tower development on former Ann Arbor YMCA property awaits city’s OKTree Town under attack? Ann Arborites decry ‘tree butchering’ by DTE Energy5 things to know about the Ann Arbor psychedelic shroom festAnn Arbor aims to lead by example while promoting sustainable, plant-based dietsNew condo development proposed in downtown Ann Arbor

ANN ARBOR, MI — Ann Arbor is putting over $1.5 million from the city’s new affordable housing tax toward two apartment developments by local nonprofit Avalon Housing. City Council voted unanimously to approve the allocations Monday night, June 7, at the request of Jennifer Hall, Ann Arbor Housing Commission executive director. The city is allocating $1.1 million to help Avalon build 50 affordable apartments and a community center at 2270 Platt Road in a project called The Grove at Veridian. The 50 affordable apartments and community center Avalon plans to build next to County Farm Park is part of a larger redevelopment plan called Veridian at County Farm. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Q&A: Ann Arbor affordable housing leader explains ambitious $397M planProposed law giving Ann Arbor renters more protections back on council agendaAnn Arbor council voting on new rules for dense development outside of downtown$15M plan unveiled for 102 new apartments in southeast Ann ArborHow they voted: Ann Arbor City Council vote breakdown for May 2021

ANN ARBOR, MI — The Ann Arbor City Council is being asked to put over $1.5 million from the city’s new affordable housing tax toward two Avalon Housing developments. $5.1M from new Ann Arbor affordable housing tax could go toward downtown high-riseHall’s memo to council explains how the city’s millage funds would be supplemental funding for both Avalon projects. After City Council approved plans for the Veridian development last October, Avalon Housing Executive Director Aubrey Patino called it a tremendous milestone. The prospect of moving 50 more families into permanent affordable housing means now more than ever amid the pandemic, she said. MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:‘It will be freaking beautiful.’ Ann Arbor OKs plan for ultra-sustainable developmentAnn Arbor launches exploration of alternative development for tree-filled propertyOpposition campaign aims to halt $100M housing development in Ann ArborAnn Arbor taking next steps to redevelop blighted site across from YMCA5-story hotel development in downtown Ann Arbor gets initial OK

It’s hard to furnish just one apartment but groups from around Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County have furnished over 25 in Avalon Housing’s new Hickory Way Apartments. By the end of the first phase of Hickory Way move-ins, community members will have filled 34 units. An additional 36 units will be available for Avalon Housing clients sometime in the summer, seven of which still need sponsors. (Heidi Ruud / HouseN2Home)Teams of volunteers and sponsors worked to collect items and set up over 25 apartments at Hickory Way in January. (Heidi Ruud / HouseN2Home)

ANN ARBOR, MI — Two new members are joining Ann Arbor’s Planning Commission, but their appointments were the subject of debate at City Council this week. Lee is an asset manager for local real estate firm Oxford Companies, which controls many properties in Ann Arbor, and Clarke until earlier this year was a real estate transaction specialist for nonprofit affordable housing provider Avalon Housing in Ann Arbor. Taylor said he considers Lee’s commercial real estate expertise an extremely valuable benefit and the Planning Commission lacked someone with that experience. “I would embrace the opportunity to dive deeper into transportation issues at the policy level in my hometown of Ann Arbor,” she wrote. Alex Milshteyn, a local real estate agent, has served on the commission for years and also has made campaign contributions to the mayor’s allies.

ANN ARBOR – United Way of Washtenaw County has announced a new grant round totaling $69,000 for local organizations meeting critical needs of community members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest rounds are in addition to the $90,000 that was previously granted through UWWC’s COVID-19 Recovery Fund. The total amount invested by UWWC is area relief and recovery efforts is $1.2 million. Its Recovery Fund was launched to help local organizations help those most in need during the pandemic -- particularly those who have lost income or employment as a result of the health crisis. UWWC recently received a $500,000 state grant from the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities to help disperse its COVID-19 Relief Funding.

ANN ARBOR, MI — A housing development that Ann Arbor officials say could be a shining example of sustainable living and inclusivity is now officially approved. Avalon’s plan for the northern 4.4-acre portion includes 50 affordable housing units in nine two-story buildings. Thrive Collaborative proposes 99 additional housing units of various kinds and sizes on the 8.4 acres to the south. Amanda Carlisle, Washtenaw Housing Alliance executive director, called it an opportunity to help address an affordable housing shortage in Ann Arbor. “People really shouldn’t fear the future, because if we choose it, it will be freaking beautiful.”MORE FROM THE ANN ARBOR NEWS:Solar-powered Ann Arbor development offers crowdfunding-like public investmentIn drama-filled meeting lasting past 2 a.m., Ann Arbor council rejects deal with polluterAnn Arbor OKs contract with new city administrator, sets salary at $223,600‘He exemplified service.’ Ann Arbor renames park in honor of Graydon Krapohl2-week stay-in-place order issued by health department for University of Michigan students

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – The City of Ann Arbor has announced that Sustaining Ann Arbor Together (SA2T) grants have been awarded to 11 community-based organizations over the course of the past summer and fall. The organizations have been given grants based on their efforts to advance community sustainability, including food distribution and community lunch programs, sheltering services, literacy programs, therapeutic art programs, community play spaces and the creation of community gardens. Organizations awarded the SA2T grants are:Shelter Association of Washtenaw CountyPeace Neighborhood CenterChildren’s Literacy NetworkMichigan Ability PartnersNorthside Community CenterArrowwood Hills Community CenterBryant Community CenterCreekside Court Community CenterMiller ManorBaker CommonsAvalon Housing✉ Like what you’re reading? “The Sustaining Ann Arbor Together Grant program is an important vehicle for supporting our community’s innovation and creativity as it relates to advancing local sustainability and climate action,” said City of Ann Arbor Office of Sustainability and Innovations manager Missy Stults in a release. The grant program has $100,000 that is divided into grants of $10,000 or less and awarded to local projects.

The new proposal would amend the Dexter city charter on “restrictions on powers to sell or lease property." On one side is the Dexter Citizens for Responsible Government, which has circulated a petition in favor of the proposal. On the other side is Mayor Shawn Keough and Dexter City Council, which passed a resolution in opposition to the proposal at a Monday, Sept. 14 meeting. Six candidates are also vying for three city council seats on the November ballot, including Jamie Griffin, treasurer of Dexter Citizens for Responsible Government. Griffin isn’t the only city council candidate with an opinion on the matter.

ANN ARBOR, MI — A solar-powered, mixed-income housing development proposed on Ann Arbor’s east side cleared its latest hurdle Monday night, Sept. 21. “It’s going to be inspirational, I hope, to us as a community for what can be done, and I hope to others outside of Ann Arbor. “Usable front porches face greenways, and the greenways connect and link with each other and with the adjacent County Farm Park,” she wrote. Ann Arbor resident and sustainability advocate Matt Grocoff, Thrive Collaborative principal, said he was moved by the words of support from council members Monday night. And that’s what we’re proving with Veridian at County Farm.

YPSILANTI, MI – Ypsilanti officials took a step toward increasing the stock of affordable housing in the city with a letter of intent to Avalon Housing. Related: Fire-damaged Ypsilanti building being transformed into affordable senior housingOfficials bought the structure with the intention to build senior affordable housing. Council received two bids on the property from Ann Arbor-based Avalon Housing and the Ypsilanti Housing Commission. The commission proposed at least 16 units of affordable senior housing, most of which would be one-bedroom apartments. Avalon proposed 20 units of supportive housing, a type of affordable housing that includes wraparound and social services on site.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Ann Arbors Avalon Housing has partnered with two organizations to furnish 70 units of affordable housing at Hickory Way Apartments. Working with Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor Foundations Kiwanis Thrift Sale and HouseN2Home, a Ypsilanti-based nonprofit organization, Avalon Housing is trying to furnish each unit for future tenants. Tenants are exiting homelessness and will begin leases and move into Hickory Way units in December, according to a news release. Starting Sept. 15, those wishing to help can take gently used and clean furniture to the Kiwanis Thrift Sale store on North Staebler Road. Avalon Housing is not taking applications for the Hickory Way units.