Washtenaw County will have a number of shelters available for those experiencing homelessness to get warm or have somewhere to stay for the night starting Nov. 10, 2025. Emergency services will provide guests with meals, medical care and help finding permanent housing.
This project is put on by many organizations around the county.
"These collaborative community services are made possible through a strong coalition of housing partners known as the Washtenaw County Continuum of Care (CoC), which includes the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County, Alpha House, SafeHouse Center, Ozone House, Housing Access for Washtenaw County, and nearly 30 local organizations dedicated to preventing and ending homelessness." said Director of the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development, Toni Kayumi in a statement.
Through this collaboration Washtenaw County is able to run these winter shelter services through March 2026.
Those needing daytime assistance can go to the Ypsilanti Freighthouse, located at 100 Market Place or rotating locations in Ann Arbor. The Freighthouse will be open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Ann Arbor locations will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. No pre-registration is required for these locations.
Addresses and opening hours for shelters around the county.
The Delonis Center, located at 312 W. Huron St. in Ann Arbor, will be offering overnight shelter and weekend daytime shelter every day through April 14, 2026. There will also be overnight shelter available in Ypsilanti.
It is encouraged that individuals in need of a place to stay for the night first contact Housing Access of Washtenaw County at 734-961-1999 to get a referral for a shelter. If it is after 5 p.m. or a weekend, individuals are invited to visit or contact the Delonis Center at 734-662-2829 to receive further assistance. Families in need should visit or contact the Alpha House at 734-822-0220 for assistance. Alpha House is located at 4290 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor.
Finally, youth and young adults under 25 can also call the Ozone House at 734-662-2222 or visit its main office located at 1600 N. Huron River Drive in Ypsilanti, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Homelessness can pose more serious risks in the winter due to the threats of hypothermia, frostbite and other illnesses that are more common in the colder months. Shelters provide people with a warm place to stay and access to medical assistance, said the statement from the Washtenaw County Office of Community and Economic Development.
Winter weather can also limit hours of operation for resources like libraries, food pantries and college campuses. The designated warming shelters are intended to provide people experiencing homelessness access to a warm place to seek shelter.
Those in need of support this winter can reach out to HAWC at 734-961-1999 or visit their website at housingaccess.net.
