I Need Housing or Shelter
One phone number is the front door to every shelter and housing program in the county.
Call HAWC — this one call starts everything.
One short intake unlocks every shelter and housing program in the county.
Start here
Call Housing Access for Washtenaw County (HAWC). It is the single front door for ALL shelter and housing help here. Their intake is what gets you into everything else.
Need a bed tonight? The Delonis Center at 312 W. Huron St in Ann Arbor runs overnight shelter, with extra winter beds in cold months. Call HAWC first, or the shelter directly.
Looking for sober living? Dawn Farm and Home of New Vision both run recovery housing, and the state association lists certified recovery homes you can trust.
Behind on rent or facing eviction? Apply for State Emergency Relief online, then call HAWC. Free lawyers at Legal Services of South Central Michigan can fight an eviction with you.
Working with a caseworker anywhere in the county? Ask them about "Barrier Busters" — emergency funds that can cover a deposit, a bill, or another one-time cost.
Places that can help
Housing Access for Washtenaw County (HAWC)
Call this one number for shelter and housing help anywhere in the county.
Not sure what to say?
You can just read this out: “Hi, I'm calling because I don't have stable housing. I'd like to do an intake.”
What to expect: They'll ask about everyone in your household, including Social Security numbers. Waits for shelter can be long — but completing the intake is what unlocks every other housing resource.
Shelter Association of Washtenaw County — Delonis Center
Open 24/7
Get a bed, a meal, a shower, and help finding housing — the county's main shelter.
- 312 W Huron St, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
- washtenawshelter.org
- Office: Monday–Friday, 9 am – 4:30 pm
SOS Community Services
Families with kids: get shelter, housing help, and pantry food in Ypsilanti.
Main office is at 101 S. Huron St; walk-in services are at 114 N. River St.
- 114 N River St, Ypsilanti, MI 48198
- soscs.org
- Walk-in help at 114 N. River St: Monday 9 am – 1 pm, Thursday–Friday 9 am – 5 pm
More options (6)
Avalon Housing
Get long-term housing with support staff who help you stay housed.
You get on Avalon's list ONLY through HAWC at (734) 961-1999. They never post rentals online — anyone who says otherwise is trying to scam you.
Ann Arbor Housing Commission
Apply for public housing, vouchers, and eviction help in Ann Arbor.
- 727 Miller Ave, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
- a2gov.org/housing-commission
- Monday–Friday, 9 am – 12 pm and 1 – 5 pm
MSHDA Housing Choice Vouchers
Get on the state's Section 8 waitlist — a voucher helps pay your rent when your name comes up.
You can only apply when a county waitlist is open — check the website; lists open and close often.
Legal Services of South Central Michigan
Get a free lawyer to fight an eviction or fix a benefits problem.
- 15 S Washington St, Ypsilanti, MI 48197
- lsscm.org
- Phones answered Monday–Friday, 9 am – 5 pm
Washtenaw County Barrier Busters
Ask your caseworker for emergency county funds — a deposit, a bill, a car repair — up to $2,000 a year.
You can't apply directly. A caseworker at any partner agency (SOS, Salvation Army, Dawn Farm, the state benefits office, and many more) requests it for you — so ask yours.
Michigan Association of Recovery Residences (MARR)
Check the state's list of certified sober living homes before you sign anything.
If that doesn't work
Dial 2-1-1 any time — they know every shelter and warming center that has room tonight.
In crisis and nowhere to go? The county crisis line answers 24/7 and can help.
Details change. Call ahead when you can. Last updated September 9, 2026.