A Growing Opportunity
Washtenaw County’s older adult population continues to grow at a steady rate. According to 2024 U.S. Census data, adults aged 65 and older now make up 16.7 percent of the county’s population. That number is expected to rise significantly in the coming years, with estimates showing that one in four residents could be over the age of 60 by the end of the decade.
In response to this demographic shift, Washtenaw County voters approved the Older Persons Services Millage in November 2024. The millage, which began in 2024 and runs through 2031, adds 50 cents for every $1,000 in taxable value and is expected to raise about $11 million annually. These funds will expand and enhance services that support healthy aging, such as transportation, home-delivered meals, caregiver support, and senior center programming.
As these new resources begin to be distributed, there is growing recognition that success will depend not only on funding but also on strategic planning and collaboration with local experts and community voices.
WHAC’s Role in Shaping the Future of Aging Services
The Washtenaw Health Initiative’s Healthy Aging Collaborative, or WHAC, has spent the past several years preparing for this moment. Formed in 2016, the group brings together a diverse network of community leaders and organizations focused on improving the lives of older adults in Washtenaw County. Members represent a wide range of sectors, including health care, housing, public health, transportation, faith communities, social services, and more.
Together, they have worked to identify the most pressing needs facing older adults, promote age-friendly policies, and build bridges between organizations that often operate in isolation. Their goal is to ensure that all older adults, regardless of income, identity, or geography, can age in place with dignity, safety, and connection.
“The Collaborative brings together people who work across all aspects of aging,” said WHAC co-chair Wendy Brightman. “Because we represent so many different sectors, we’re able to look at issues holistically, connecting the dots between transportation, caregiving, housing, and food access.”
WHAC’s structure supports focused work in specific domains while encouraging cross-sector collaboration.
Contributing to County Planning
In the spring of 2025, WHAC submitted a set of high-level recommendations to the Washtenaw County Commission on Aging to inform how the new millage funds could be allocated. These recommendations were shaped by years of collective experience and built around the principle of inclusive, community-informed investment. The recommendations focused on areas such as improving access to senior nutrition, transportation, supporting family and informal caregivers, supporting senior centers, housing, and the development of a central hub for navigating age-related services.
Brightman expressed her hope that WHAC can serve as a trusted advisory partner to the County’s new Office on Aging, helping identify service gaps, share knowledge, and align work across sectors. Although WHAC has not yet been formally asked to support the planning or implementation process, the Collaborative is prepared and ready to contribute.
The Office on Aging is currently in the process of hiring its first director. This is an important step for establishing long-term leadership and coordination. In the meantime, early investments of millage funds have supported 10 senior centers throughout the county. They have also awarded grants to three transportation providers, reflecting on the county’s initial focus on addressing some of the most pressing needs.
The Collaborative’s membership includes people and organizations deeply embedded in the community, offering both on-the-ground insight and systems-level perspective. With this depth of experience, WHAC is well positioned to support the development of coordinated, inclusive aging services that meet the needs of Washtenaw County’s growing older adult population.
Looking Ahead
With Washtenaw’s older adult population projected to keep growing, potentially reaching one in four residents over age 60 by the end of the decade, planning for the future is more important than ever. WHAC members believe that collaborative efforts today can help ensure that the county’s services and infrastructure are prepared to meet the demands of tomorrow.
Brightman emphasized that working together is key. “When organizations share data, resources, and ideas, the solutions we come up with are more realistic and more impactful,” she said. “Collaboration makes everything stronger.”
As Washtenaw County begins to staff and launch its new Office on Aging, WHAC stands ready to provide support, insight, and coordination. While the group has not yet been tapped for continued involvement, its members hope to serve as a resource as the County moves from planning into implementation.
With years of experience, a structure built for collaboration, and a deep commitment to health equity, WHAC is uniquely positioned to support the County’s vision for age-friendly services and systems. The new millage and Office on Aging offer a unique opportunity to reimagine what aging in Washtenaw County can look like, and WHAC is prepared to help shape that vision.
Get Involved
The Healthy Aging Collaborative welcomes individuals and organizations who want to help improve aging services in Washtenaw County. We meet every other month to share ideas and coordinate aging efforts in Washtenaw County. To learn more about the WHAC and how to participate, visit the Washtenaw Health Initiative Website or contact us at [email protected].
Read WHAC’s Priorities for Aging Sector Funding