Residents of Washtenaw County may call HAWC for housing assistance, information, and/or referrals. HAWC is the county’s "central intake," or single point of entry, for all emergency shelters and housing resources that are available to serve individuals and families who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. The Call Center operates Monday - Friday from 8:30am - 5:30pm. Voice messages and emails are returned within 48 hours.
What to expect when you speak with a HAWC Intake Specialist?
We will ask you questions about you and your household. This will help us determine the level of need and next steps. We will need your social security number and those of your household. A “Household” is defined as anyone that lives with you. Anyone 18 years or older is an adult and must verbally consent to share their information. It may be most efficient if all household members are present during your call with HAWC.
What to expect when you speak with a HAWC Intake Specialist?
We will ask you questions about you and your household. This will help us determine the level of need and next steps. We will need your social security number and those of your household. A “Household” is defined as anyone that lives with you. Anyone 18 years or older is an adult and must verbally consent to share their information. It may be most efficient if all household members are present during your call with HAWC.
The types of services a household could receive from HAWC (and the wait times as of 4/22/25 for those services) include:
Shelter Association of Washtenaw Co (Delonis Center) Shelter* Intakes for Single Adults women's residential bed wait time is 3-4 months and men's is 8-9 months (but assessment appt booked within about 2-weeks of contacting Delonis to schedule)
Family Shelter Intakes wait for housing resource or shelter opening is 3-6+ months (but assessment appt booked within 24-48 hours)
Rental Arrearage (Back Rent) Appointments appt with SOS Community Services booking at 1-2 weeks out from time of intake
Security Deposit Assistance appt with SOS Community Services booking at 1-2 weeks out from time of intake
HAWC does not have hotel vouchers or any immediate/temporary shelter.
Shelter Association of Washtenaw Co (Delonis Center) Shelter* Intakes for Single Adults women's residential bed wait time is 3-4 months and men's is 8-9 months (but assessment appt booked within about 2-weeks of contacting Delonis to schedule)
Family Shelter Intakes wait for housing resource or shelter opening is 3-6+ months (but assessment appt booked within 24-48 hours)
Rental Arrearage (Back Rent) Appointments appt with SOS Community Services booking at 1-2 weeks out from time of intake
Security Deposit Assistance appt with SOS Community Services booking at 1-2 weeks out from time of intake
HAWC does not have hotel vouchers or any immediate/temporary shelter.
Please note: there is a severe shortage of housing resources in Washtenaw County and HAWC is not able to help all people who are experiencing a housing crisis. For those in need of resources, please click here for a general Washtenaw County Resource Guide and here for a Senior Resource Guide (Washtenaw County) or call United Way for Southeastern Michigan's 2-1-1 Helpline (24/7/365).
Many agencies make up HAWC. Each agency has a different role. We work together to provide you with support.
|
HAWC Call Center (Office of Community and Economic Development)
Provides access to Washtenaw County’s Homelessness Response System. They provide resources, complete intakes, schedule assessments, update our system with your households’ homelessness status, and complete applications and reevaluations for families seeking Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV). HAWC Family Assessment Agency (SOS Community Services) Completes assessments for families seeking shelter and completes referrals. HAWC Prevention Assessment Agency (SOS Community Services) Completes assessments for people seeking resources to prevent homelessness and/or eviction. This includes funds to pay for rental application fees, security deposits, utility deposits, rental arrears, and moving costs. HAWC Individual Assessment Agency (Shelter Association for Washtenaw County) Completes assessments for individuals seeking shelter, completes referrals, completes applications and reevaluations for individuals seeking Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV), and provides residential shelter programs. |
Below are several disclaimers that HAWC references when providing assistance to people in the community. These disclaimers address privacy of information collected as well as how someone can file a complaint and/or grievance with HAWC.
Our SERVICE AREA is Washtenaw County.
Are you homeless, but don't live in Washtenaw County?
If so, there are services available to assist you closer to home.
To get connected in your area, please click here (pdf file) or click here (excel) for resources.
If so, there are services available to assist you closer to home.
To get connected in your area, please click here (pdf file) or click here (excel) for resources.
Housing Access for Washtenaw County
(734) 961-1999
(734) 961-1999
Description of picture in above header: image is of the downtown Ann Arbor skyline at sunset. Orange sunlight reflects on building roof tops and clouds.