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(Updated: Sept. 2, 2021)
This page features city-specific information and recommendations as they become available, as well as information from
Washtenaw County Health Department, Washtenaw County Community and Economic Development, State of Michigan,
Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Centers for Disease Control, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other community organizations.
Please visit the
State of Michigan COVID-19 website for the most up-to-date information on
state executive orders.
The State of Michigan offers a free
COVID Alert tracking app for mobile phones, which can help to notify users and slow the spread of COVID-19 in Michigan.
In addition, this Washtenaw County Health Department webpage features
COVID-19 vaccine information, resources and updates: https://www.washtenaw.org/3269/COVID-19-Vaccination.
Please Remember these Safety Protocols:
Wash your hands often with soap and water or use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
You/others may feel more comfortable keeping a physical distance 6 feet apart from those outside your household and wearing a face covering over nose and mouth when in enclosed spaces. Please be patient with and respectful of how others choose to protect their/their family health and wellbeing.
Stay home when you are sick.
In addition, Washtenaw County Health Department notes the flu vaccine is recommended every year for everyone 6 months and older, adding it is especially important amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more at
https://www.washtenaw.org/1885/Flu-Activity.
City of Ann Arbor Operations and Services
The City of Ann Arbor is actively collaborating with the Washtenaw County Health Department, local hospitals, the University of Michigan, the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority, the Red Cross and other agencies for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The public is encouraged to take advantage of the city's online services when possible, including payments for water bills, property taxes, parking tickets, applications for dog licenses, permits, etc. See the
"services" webpage for details and also the "contact" webpage for how to reach city departments.
Courts Information
Local/County/Statewide/National Updates
Follow for Updates
Resources
Assistance
FEMA: Financial assistance is available from FEMA for
COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020. Also, find information online on
other assistance offered by FEMA.
Michigan COVID-19 Pandemic Resource Guide: Unemployment and worker assistance; food assistance; utility and housing assistance; child care assistance; general assistance; Detroit assistance programs; find local resources; give back.
Michigan State Housing Development Authority COVID Emergency Rental Assistance [CERA] Program Resources: Having trouble paying or receiving rent?
MSHDA has federal funds available to help tenants facing pandemic-related hardships avoid eviction while also ensuring landlords can recoup owed rent through the CERA program.
MSHDA administers CERA through its statewide network of local nonprofit agencies. Anyone who is eligible is encouraged to apply today and take advantage of a program that can help restore housing stability. CERA serves renter households that have incomes less than 80% of area median income (AMI) who meet the following conditions:
Individual(s) in the household has qualified for unemployment benefits or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or has experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the coronavirus outbreak; and
Individual(s) in the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability evidenced by a past due utility or rent notice.
Also note,
default of either a rent-to-own lease or a land contract can result in an eviction, but a rent-to-own lease is eligible for CERA benefits, while a land contract is not.
Learn more.
If tenants have questions or require assistance, they can contact a local resource for help, the Housing Authority of Washtenaw County, at 734.961.1999.
Paper applications: For those that do not have access to internet to access the online application, they can use the paper application and send documents to [email protected] OR mail to Housing Access for Washtenaw County, 100 Arbana Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48103. Paper applications are also available in
English, Spanish and Arabic.
Washtenaw County roundup of essential services: A variety of services is featured on the county website, including child care, evictions, health insurance, internet, medical, transportation, unemployment, utilities, food distribution and more.
Water Utility: City of Ann Arbor Response to State of Michigan Executive Order 2020-28, Water Utility Shut Offs (PDF).
Get Assistance
Barrier Busters (Washtenaw County): Connect with resources via
Barrier Busters for rent, mortgage and utility assistance, transportation, food assistance, and other direct support needed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic -English (PDF) | Spanish (PDF).
COVID-19 Relief Fund, United Way of Washtenaw County, was established to ensure people and families in need can access food, housing, health care, financial resources and other supports. This fund allows the United Way to rapidly deploy resources to organizations working with populations impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial focus will be on rapid response in support of front-line agencies providing services to the most vulnerable populations.
Critical bed need (sleeping on the floor or newly housed and no bed) : Contact Friends in Deed. FID will attempt to resolve the situation. The Furniture Line can be reached at 734.484.7607.
Food assistance:Food Gatherers works with more than 150 partner programs throughout Washtenaw County. Many of these programs are open to the public and make food available to eligible community members.
Food assistance: For
Ann Arbor Public Schools students.
Food assistance: SOS Community Services food pantry is available without appointment, located at 114 N. River St., Ypsilanti. Everyone who needs food is eligible. People are asked to maintain 6 feet of distance from others when collecting their groceries.
For parents: SOS’Community Services Parents as Teachers program conducts virtual home visits and makes porch drops of food and diapers.
Homelessness and housing insecurity:
Housing: Via Ann Arbor Housing Commission. Residents living at an Ann Arbor Housing Commission property or using one of AAHC's vouchers, who have lost income, can contact their case manager as soon as possible for assistance. A message can also be left with AAHC's office at 734.794.6720.
Housing: Via Housing Access of Washtenaw County at 734.961.1999.
Housing, at risk of eviction: Housing Access of Washtenaw County (734.961.1999 - have ready driver's license/state ID, social security card, proof of income, recent bank statement, proof of what's been paid and what is still owed).; and Michigan Legal Help (https://michiganlegalhelp.org/ | 734.665.6181) can assist with people at risk of being evicted. See the flyer for details: in English (PDF) | in Arabic (PDF) | in Spanish (PDF)
Housing, rent and utility payment concerns: Via
Fair Housing Center of Southeast and Mid Michigan, Michigan Legal Help.
Housing, tenant rights: Via Legal Services of South Central Michigan. (PDF)
Internet: From Comcast Cable, "In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, please be advised that Comcast has increased the speeds of its Internet Essentials home internet service from 15/2 Mbps to 25/3 Mbps. Additionally, households who enroll now will be eligible for 60 days of complimentary service. As a reminder, Internet Essentials provides $9.95 per month home internet service exclusively to low-income households."
Internet: Free access to
Spectrum Broadband and wi-fi For 60 days for new K-12 and college student households, and more.
Internet: Via a Washtenaw County-compiled list.
Public health: The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) hotline has public health and other experts available to answer health-related questions about COVID-19. The team can also direct residents, providers and more to the right resources in their local communities and in other state government departments. The hotline is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1.888.535.6136.
Small-business assistance: Michigan Economic Development Corporation, or call 888.522.0103.
Small-business resources:
Michigan Small Business Development Center.
Services: 2-1-1 for a 24/7 hotline that can connect you to services in the Washtenaw County community.
Social support: Via Community Mental Health, 24/7 crisis services and more.
Social support: Via Ozone House crisis line, available 24/7 for youth in need of support or who are at risk of homelessness.
Social support: Via You Are Not Alone, resources and video for students dealing with depression, grief, loss and other mental health issues.
Support for families and students: Via
Ann Arbor Public Schools website.
Utilities: Via City of Ann Arbor. The city is able to postpone payments on utilities for those who are unable to pay as a result of COVID-19. Please call customer service at 734.794.6320 to request a payment delay on your account.
Utilities: Assistance with paying for utilities, via
Barrier Busters.
Give Assistance
Donate food: Food Gatherers is accepting food donations during our regularly scheduled hours. For more information, visit
www.foodgatherers.org/givefood.
Donate food: Lunches with Love - These pre-packed meal bags are a great way to provide ready-to-eat food to our community. Learn more:
www.foodgatherers.org/lunches (PDF).
Donate funds: Slow Food Huron Valley has created an emergency relief fund for local farms and food businesses in the greater Washtenaw County foodshed area who are experiencing financial hardship while unable to access their regular markets in southeast Michigan. This mini grant is intended to help some through this difficult time until the local food system is back up and running. Learn more: www.slowfoodhuronvalley.com.
Donate funds: Food Gatherers will continuously assess the emergency food needs in our community. In this
unprecedented situation, financial donations provide Food Gatherers the most flexibility to best respond to these emerging needs. Donate now:
www.foodgatherers.org/donate or 734.761.2796.
Donate funds: Via United Way of Washtenaw County Community COVID-19 Relief Fund. 100% of your gift will be used in our community to meet the emerging and critical needs in Washtenaw county by our non-profit partners.
Donate toward utility payments for those in need: Via
Barrier Busters.
Volunteer: Food Gatherers relies on volunteers to support our operations. For the safety of staff and volunteers, we are implementing additional food safety and sanitary measures in our warehouse and Community Kitchen. Learn more:
www.foodgatherers.org/volunteer.
Volunteer: Jewish Family Services is working to support older adults, food pantries, counseling services and more. Various opportunities are in need of volunteers, including ways to support and check in on seniors remotely.
Volunteer: Trained medical professionals can register to serve by assisting hospitals in fighting COVID-19 by signing up via the State of Michigan MDHHS volunteer website, www.michigan.gov/fightcovid19. Other state residents also can use the site to find out how to help in their local communities, give blood, donate money or needed medical supplies, or assist public health officials in tracking infections.
Volunteer: United Way of Washtenaw County is organizing a special
Washtenaw County Coronavirus Volunteer response team - medical and non-medical volunteers are needed.
Messages from Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor
City of Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor delivered several video messages to share city information and safety precautions amid COVID-19. In his latest video, on
June 21, 2020, Mayor Taylor shared a video message urging residents and visitors to wear masks, social distance and continue to follow safety practices to fight the virus. View
all of the mayor's messages on the CTN YouTube channel.
