Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the definition of homelessness according to your system?
This is known as Category 1 according to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
-Your primary nighttime residence is a public or private place not meant for human habitation ; OR
-You live in a shelter meant to provide temporary living arrangements; OR
-You left an institution (e.g. jail, substance use treatment center), were at that institution for 90 days or less, AND were homeless 
(according to HUD’s Category 1 definition) before entering the institution

2. How do I apply for help with my security deposit or rent? 
Step 1: Apply for Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) State Emergency Relief (SER)
Step2: Call HAWC Call Center at (734) 961-1999
Step 3: Accept earliest prevention appointment offered
Step 4: Attend your scheduled appointment

3. How do I get on the list for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV)?
The Housing Choice Voucher Homeless Preference Waitlist is only for those that are Category 1 Homeless.
Step 1: Call HAWC Call Center at (734) 961-1999 and complete your Intake
Step 2: Attend your Assessment Appointment
Note: If you are an Individual, your HCV Appointment will be a part of your Individual Shelter Assessment at the Delonis
Center. If you are a Family, your HCV Appointment is scheduled after your Family Shelter Assessment. 

4. How do I sign up for Avalon Housing?
There are many providers in our system that provide housing supports. There are no guarantees that you will get a unit with 
Avalon Housing. The below are the steps that you will need to take to get access to housing supports. 
Step1: Call HAWC Call Center (734) 961-1999
Step 2: Accept earliest assessment appointment offered
Step 3: Attend your scheduled appointment
Step 4: If you are eligible for resources, we will add you to the Community Housing Prioritization (CHP) list
Step 5: We will contact you when placement is available

5. When will I get Shelter for my Family?
We will call you for Family Shelter when beds (according to the size of your family) are open

6. How do I get ahold of Delonis? 
To contact Delonis:
Step 1: Call the HAWC Call Center at (734) 961-1999 
Step 2: Complete the Intake/Screening. We will schedule a Referral to Delonis and/or Individual Shelter Assessment Appointment

7. Who is eligible for a referral to Delonis Center?
You must be a single adult and Category 1 Homeless

8. How do I get on the Section 8 Waitlist?
There are many ways. When the waitlist is open for new households, an email will go out to community members. You will then 
follow the directions on the notification for the waitlist. Project Based Vouchers are managed by housing developments, you will 
apply through their process. 

9. How do I get check my status on the Section 8 Waitlist?
Contact the organization that informed you that you are on their waitlist. The list of Section 8 organizations in Washtenaw County 
are as listed:
CMA: cma-inc.org
RPI Management: rpimanagement.org
Ann Arbor Housing Commission: a2gov.org/departments/Housing/Pages/default.aspx
Ypsilanti Housing Commission: ypsilantihc.org

10. What is the number for Wayne County’s Housing Assessment and Resource Agency (HARA)?
Wayne – Detroit, Highland Park, Hamtramck (313) 305-0311
Out-Wayne (734) 284-6999 

11. What cities are in Washtenaw County?
City of Dexter, Sylan Township, Ann Arbor Township, Augusta Township, Bridgewater Township, City of Ann Arbor, City of Saline, 
City of Ypsilanti, Dexter Township, Lima Township, Lima Township, Manchester Township, Northfield Township, Pittsfield Towns