Alpha House
Our network is our net worth
PROGRAMS & SERVICES
CONGREGATE SHELTER
The Interfaith Hospitality Network at Alpha House provides a safe, supportive congregate shelter for families experiencing homelessness. Our original shelter, Alpha House West, is located on Jackson Road in Ann Arbor, where families receive housing-focused case management, basic needs, and connections to community resources for up to 120 days. The shelter program has 14 rooms available for families — ranging from pregnant persons up to families of four.
We recently opened our second shelter site, Alpha House East, renamed Del's House in honor of longtime supporter Wendell 'Del' Dunbar. Del's House is located on the Trinity Ann Arbor campus on the east side of Washtenaw County, and the opening of this shelter increased our capacity to serve 30 additional families experiencing homelessness.
Read more about the opening of the new shelter here: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/2025/11/family-shelter-opens-on-trinity-health-ann-arbor-campus-to-combat-homelessness.html
Families are referred to Alpha House through the Housing Access of Washtenaw County (HAWC). Alpha House provides shelter to 50-60 families every year with an average length of stay between 30-60 days. During their stay, families also have access to life skills workshops to learn about parenting, financial literacy, and other wellness topics. As families move out, Alpha House offers supplies like basic hygiene kits and air mattresses, all donated by our supporters, in order to make the transition as stress-free as possible.
Need shelter now? All shelter spaces in Washtenaw County are filled by Housing Access for Washtenaw County (HAWC). They may also be able to help with other immediate housing needs. Call (734) 961-1999.
Case management & Staff
SCATTER-SITE SHELTER
Our Master Leasing Program offers short-term, scatter-site shelter for larger families who are experiencing homelessness. Through this model, we lease housing units throughout the community and sublease them to families for up to 120 days while providing intensive case management. This approach allows families to maintain more privacy and stability during their shelter stay. Families must contact HAWC to schedule an assessment and be referred to IHN at Alpha House for this program.
CMH-IHN PARTNERSHIP
Our Case Managers and shelter staff help the families identify their strengths, find housing, and will make referrals to additional resources. Alpha House is run by a dedicated, compassionate, and diverse staff team who work hard to create a safe and homely environment for the families and children we serve. Our staff and board actively advocate for systemic change and an end to homelessness.
Alpha House is a member of the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, and works closely with congregations, community groups, corporations, and other nonprofits to meet community housing needs.
In partnership with Washtenaw County Community Mental Health (CMH), we provide limited-stay hotel shelter combined with wraparound support services. This option is available for families when other shelter placements are not suitable or available. Families are referred directly from CMH, and IHN at Alpha House staff members will assess families for fit in this program. All families will also be required to connect with HAWC.
"Life is entirely different for me because of Alpha House. I saw the paths that were open to me and I ran with it."
-Former Alpha House Family
