ANN ARBOR, MI - Jennifer Hall sees her job manifest itself in three different ways.
As executive director of the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, Hall is a policy decision-maker. As an employee of the city, she can advocate for low-income individuals, social justice and racial equity behind the scenes.
And, in the political world, Hall works to get low-income housing projects approved by city council, as Ann Arbor continues to work toward its goals for affordable housing.
“My goal is always to work with people where they’re at, wherever that is on their perspective of housing and homelessness,” said Hall, who has worked for both the city and county for 18 years.
Hall is being recognized by the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness as its Public Policy Champion for her work in all of her roles as a lifelong supporter of social justice, affordable housing and ending homelessness.
She is being recognized during coalition’s annual Breakfast of Champions, which is being done virtually on June 17.
The Public Policy Champion honor goes to an individual or agency exemplifying and embodying advocacy or awareness efforts that have a direct positive impact on the issue of homelessness.
“Jennifer is a fierce advocate for policy and systems change in our community and she is changing the way the local government understands and responds to the affordable housing and homelessness challenges that face every community.” Washtenaw Housing Alliance Executive Director Amanda Carlisle said.
“She spends much of her time educating government staff, elected officials, and community stakeholders about affordable housing and homelessness, which is an important part of our long-term advocacy efforts and successes.”
As director of the housing commission, Hall has raised $65 million to redevelop its public housing portfolio, adding 58 new apartments and dedicating more than 25% of these units to individuals experiencing homelessness.
Hall also spearheaded an initiative which proposed the construction of 1,600 units of affordable housing on vacant and underused municipal land, resulting in an Ann Arbor City Council resolution to immediately develop two of those properties.
Although the city of Ann Arbor has not kept pace with its affordable housing goals set in 2015, which called for the creation of 2,787 new affordably priced rental units by 2035, Hall said she has seen momentum toward more support for affordable housing in the city.
“There always needs to be enough support in the community for people who are politicians to feel comfortable with the decisions they make,” Hall said. "I think we all would like to believe we’re going to make the best moral and sound decisions we can, but our decisions do change over time, depending on what’s happening in the world and our communities.
Hall’s commitment to social justice, affordable housing and ending homelessness began as an undergraduate at the University of Michigan. A class assignment exposed her to passionate community activists who were trying to end homelessness.
The Homeless Action Committee inspired her to join their fight to “House People, not Cars” and dedicate her career to this cause.
The committee’s actions led to the city of Ann Arbor creating a Housing Policy Board, Affordable Housing Trust Fund, zoning regulations that triggered affordable housing or cash-in-lieu of affordable housing, a human services Board, dedicated general funds to support nonprofit human services and sparked the creation of Avalon Housing.
Hall’s efforts with the housing commission have most recently led to proceeding as an applicant to pre-entitle the city-owned property at 350 S. Fifth Ave., the former Y Lot. This will allow the city to mitigate risks by having a site plan pre-approved that the private sector can buy and get permits for from the city.
It’s a completely different approach to bringing affordable housing to Ann Arbor that requires thinking long term, Hall said, but public support for that need has been raised over time.
“We are trying to get to a point where we can get eight votes for a site plan,” Hall said. "That means whoever is on council at that time, which will be different than who is on it right now, needs to feel comfortable they’re making the right decision.
“I think we’re leaning into that greater public awareness right now. That increased awareness I think will make people more understanding, empathetic and supportive of affordable housing. I hope that really does turn out to be the case.”
READ MORE:
Ann Arbor moves forward with development plans for Y Lot site
Ann Arbor DDA ups investment in affordable housing with Y Lot grant funding
Ann Arbor updates plans for potential affordable housing sites
Eviction anxiety grips Washtenaw County renters in ‘frightening environment’
‘We’re just trying to live.’ Being homeless during the coronavirus pandemic
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