From Building Community at Avalon to Leading Innovation at WHA: My Journey Into Shared Housing

By Danielle Bryant, WHA’s Shared Housing Program Coordinator

This has been a season of powerful change and exciting new beginnings for me. After serving as the Team Lead at Avalon Housing’s Hickory Way Apartments, I transitioned into a new role as the Shared Housing Program Coordinator at the Washtenaw Housing Alliance (WHA). While leaving Avalon was bittersweet, this new position has allowed me to help design and launch a groundbreaking solution to one of our region’s most urgent issues: affordable housing for older adults.

At Avalon, I had the honor of helping to shape the Hickory Way Community Program. While the foundation existed before I assumed the team lead role, the program as it stands today has grown out of a great deal of hard work, vision, and collaboration. During my time as team lead, we transformed the community’s day-to-day experience, introducing regular community meals, harm reduction supplies, a consistent food pantry, and strong partnerships with local organizations. These efforts were not just about services; they were about connection, dignity, and belonging. The residents built a real community, and I am deeply proud of what we accomplished together.

Now at WHA, I am part of something equally exciting. The Shared Housing Program is a creative, resourceful approach to making housing more affordable and sustainable for older adults in Washtenaw County. Washtenaw County has the highest cost housing market in Michigan and older adults are cost burdened when it comes to paying for housing. In 2021, 22.3% of older adult homeowners in Washtenaw County were considered housing cost burdened and 58.3% of older adult renters were cost burdened. As housing costs have soared, with median rents doubling from 2011 to 2023, many older residents are struggling to afford to stay in the communities they call home.

The Shared Housing program offers a unique, community-rooted solution: matching older adults who have extra space in their homes with others seeking affordable housing, with mutual benefits like financial relief, reduced social isolation, and support with household tasks.

Above is a line graph showing that Washtenaw County has a growing number of older adults. The current population of older adults in Washtenaw County (72,000) is projected to grow by 65% by 2045 to 119,000. 44% of older adults live alone in Washtenaw County.

Source: Washtenaw County Commission on Aging. Aging Needs Summary, 2022

The Shared Housing Program is not entirely new. It is built on a model previously operated by Housing Bureau for Seniors (HBS), a valued member agency of WHA. In fact, WHA’s program joins a network of national nonprofit home sharing programs across the country. We have been meeting regularly with HBS to help shape and strengthen the program’s foundation as we relaunch it for 2025. Our goal is to complete more than 25 shared housing matches, supporting over 50 households in finding stability, affordability, and meaningful connection through this initiative.

Technology has been another big part of the launch. We have been collaborating with Bonterra to build out our data and operations systems using the Apricot platform, customizing it to track matches, services, and community impact. At the same time, we are carefully developing the language, forms, and policies that will make this program clear, trauma-informed, and effective.

Being part of this work at WHA has been incredibly energizing and empowering. From day one, I have felt trusted to lead, encouraged to innovate, and supported in making bold ideas happen. The team culture here values collaboration and authenticity in a way that makes you want to give your best every day. It is refreshing to be in a space where initiative is welcomed, and meaningful work is truly possible.

I believe deeply in the power of community-led solutions. Whether it was at Hickory Way or here at WHA, I have seen that when people are connected, resourced, and heard, real transformation happens. Shared Housing is more than just an affordable housing model – it is a way to reconnect neighbors, reduce loneliness, and create stability in uncertain times.

This is only the beginning. I am excited for what is ahead and deeply grateful to be part of it.

If you are interested in getting involved, supporting our work, or just learning more, feel free to reach out to me (Danielle) at bryantd@washtenaw.org or (734) 478-6173.