Nearly three-quarters of Ann Arbor voters said “yes” on Tuesday to a 20-year millage that will help low and moderate income people find places to live in the city.
Teresa Gillotti is Director of the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development. She says the millage will help construct, acquire or subsidize up to 1,500 housing units for people making 60% or less of the median area income.
Gillotti says there are many people who work in Ann Arbor but commute long distances because they can't afford to rent there.
"We say low to moderate income, but really these are working households," says Gillotti. "These are people working in restaurants, these could be home health aides, these could be folks working in fitness centers, this could be bus drivers. So these are folks in the community that literally do work and have an income but can’t afford to live where they work."
The millage will also provide support services, including eviction prevention, to help homeless people find and retain housing.
A committee will be set up to make decisions on how to spend the funds from the millage. Gillotti says she hopes city residents will stay involved in the issue, beyond the election.
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